Navigating Canada’s Wilderness by Paddle with Frank Wolf

In 2025 we’re diving deeper into the stories, voices, and adventures behind our books and authors. To kick things off, there’s no one better to spotlight than Frank Wolf—a storyteller, adventurer, and modern-day explorer whose journeys inspire and awe.

Frank Wolf: Mapping the Wild
Frank Wolf’s name is synonymous with epic adventure. As the author of Lines on a Map: Unparalleled Adventures in Modern Exploration and Two Springs, One Summer: The Life of a Chronic Adventurer, he has spent decades immersing himself in remote wildernesses, documenting the physical and emotional landscapes of the world’s most challenging terrains.

Why Choose Self-Propelled Adventures?
Self-propelled trips, whether by kayak or canoe, offer an immersive way to experience the natural world. From the rugged coastline of British Columbia to the meandering rivers of Ontario, exploring Canada’s waterways offers a rare chance to connect with nature while testing your limits. Many adventurers, such as Frank Wolf, have demonstrated what’s possible when you rely on your own strength and skill to traverse these wild spaces. Wolf is known for his self-propelled expeditions across Canada, including circumnavigating Haida Gwaii and exploring the Yukon by kayak.

"There’s less than 100,000 people in all the Canadian territories [Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut]. And so it’s such a last frontier and it’s kind of guarded by its remoteness. It’s guarded by the heinous bugs. It’s guarded by the cold in the winter. So there’s all these uncomfortable aspects to it that probably keep people away..." Frank shared in a recent interview with Mountain Life on the Live It Up Podcast. "But if you’re willing to kind of take the time and immerse yourself in it, in a simple way by skiing or canoeing or kayaking, the rewards are endless”. His experiences show how self-propelled adventures offer a unique chance to immerse yourself in nature’s rhythm, one paddle stroke at a time.

Self-propelled adventures also promote sustainability. Unlike motorized boats or vehicles, kayaks and canoes leave behind little environmental footprint, allowing paddlers to minimize their impact while traversing fragile ecosystems. For many, the simplicity and challenge of paddling through remote wilderness create a sense of accomplishment and connection to nature that’s hard to replicate.

Two Springs, One Summer: A Life of Adventure
Frank’s latest book Two Springs, One Summer takes readers on an exhilarating ride through his most memorable journeys. From high-stakes encounters with nature’s raw power to moments of quiet and introspection, this book is a testament to his relentless curiosity and deep respect for the natural world.

In a review featured by Explore Magazine, Kevin Callan writes "His first book was good—it gave a good overview of some of his amazing adventures. His second book, however, was beyond good. The three trips he completes in one year are fascinating, but how he scribes the details is fluid, captivating, compelling and of a deep thinking style. He hooked me in at the first sentence and had me wanting more after reading the last." 

Why Frank’s Work Matters
Frank’s adventures aren’t just about adrenaline. His work shines a light on the importance of conservation, the beauty of untouched landscapes, and the stories of people and places often overlooked. He’s an advocate for preserving our planet, weaving environmental consciousness seamlessly into his narratives.