Under the bridge—the 28 year-long canoe trip

Image | The food drop

Caption: A plane was sent to search for the group after they failed to make it to Baker Lake on time. (Michael Craig)

Today's documentary takes us to the shores of Lake Temagami, in Northern Ontario, where a group of middle aged men and women gathered for the first time in 28 years, to surrender themselves to the power of ritual and tradition, in a community they hold dear.
Julia Pagel brings us a story about the compulsion to finish what — for 28 years — has remained unfinished, unfulfilled, incomplete: a gruelling wilderness canoe trip that ended, but had no ending.

Image | Under the bridge - 1987 group shoot

Caption: The group in 1987: From left - Jason Campbell, Luke Mellors, Michael Craig (sitting) and Christy Schoenhardt. (Michael Craig)

Image | Under the bridge - Group shot 2015

Caption: The group today: From left - Michael Craig, Luke Mellors, Christy Schoenhardt (sitting), Jason Campbell.

The 1987 Journey: From Reindeer Lake to Baker Lake

Image | Under the Bridge - Map final

Photogallery | The Doc Project : Under the bridge Photo Gallery

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About the producer

Julia Pagel(external link) is a radio producer based in Toronto. She's currently the associate producer of The Doc Project, and has worked on such CBC shows as As It Happens and q. She has previously worked at Banff Centre Radio in Alberta. Julia has spent much of her life working and playing in the outdoors, and was thrilled to produce a documentary where her love of the wilderness and radio could collide.
Music composed and preformed by Stefan Banjevic(external link).