Beyond the Trees

A Journey Alone Across Canada's Arctic

By: Adam Shoalts

Narrated by: Adam Shoalts

A mesmerizing odyssey through an unforgiving landscape, and the rich history it reveals.

What does it mean to explore and confront the unknown? Beyond the Trees recounts Adam Shoalts's epic, never-before-attempted solo crossing of Canada's mainland Arctic in a single season. It's also a multilayered story that weaves the narrative of Shoalts's journey into accounts of other adventurers, explorers, First Nations, fur traders, dreamers, eccentrics, and bush pilots to create an unforgettable tale of adventure and exploration.

Interspersed with his stories of navigating mazes of shifting ice floes, facing down snarling bears and galloping musk-ox, and portaging along knife-edge cliffs above furious rapids, are the fascinating legends, historic persons, and incredible anecdotes that make up the lore of the North. They include the saga of the Mad Trapper, a man whose feats of endurance and ingenuity were almost as legendary as his violent end; the story of the controversial Vilhjalmur Stefansson, a redoubtable dreamer but also one who was blamed for the deaths of his companions; the tale of the "Lost Patrol" of the Mounties who perished in a blinding blizzard; the formidable Tyrell brothers who together charted much of Canada's North; the eerie ruins of Fort Confidence that was built nearly two centuries ago on Great Bear Lake; and the decaying remnants of gold prospector David Douglas's cabin overlooking the Dease River. The North is indeed a perilous place. Also told in the book is the tragedy of John Hornby and his two companions who starved to death on the banks of the Thelon River; their bones are still resting just above the riverbank in shallow graves.

Beyond the Trees also discusses folklore about wendigoes, strange lights, and the mystery of Angikuni Lake, where in 1930 an entire Inuit camp supposedly vanished without a trace. These mysteries and wonders are Shoalts's only companions as he sets out on his own path through the adventure of a lifetime.

©2019 Adam Shoalts (P)2019 Allen Lane

Critic reviews

Shortlisted for the 2020 Louise de Kiriline Lawrence Award for Nonfiction, Short-listed

National best seller

“[Shoalts] brings us along on his solo journey across the Arctic, infused with the wonder of seeing this majestic land and the urgency of making it back before winter sets in.” (Toronto Star)

“[A]mple moments of adrenaline and suspense and descriptions of breathtaking natural beauty in his voyages, but it’s his thirst for the unknown - the blank spots - that resonated.” (The New York Review of Books)

“When reading Beyond the Trees, one gets the impression of author Adam Shoalts as a kind of Jack Kerouac meets Jack Reacher: an obsessive wanderer at his calmest in the midst of catastrophe.” (Atlantic Books Today)

Epic adventure.

Another great adventure filled with His dedication and endless endurance To complete his journey. I do think he might be a little crazy not bringing a gun into bad country.

Victor,Co

What a trip! Enthralling and captivating. Shoalts writes a story that’s for the armchair adventurers sans the bugs. More importantly he reminds us of the inherent need of all of us to seek,find, and absorb the nature around us and preserve it... imagine yourself actually having to get used to talking to people again. Good stuff

Adam's a badass and doesn't know it

Adams a badass his adventures are insane. the trips he takes are never ending not only is adam a beast physically his mental aspect is second to none.

Great

Great adventure and nice, candid narration. Must be 15 words to post. More words int this post doesn’t mean a better review.

fascinating, couldn't stop listening...

Adam Shoalts beautifully captures his arduous journey beyond the trees. The story will capture your heart and soul and will make you want to come along on that journey. The descriptions of the wilderness and wild creatures are so detailed and fascinating that you feel yourself being part of the picture!!! Can't wait for more... thank you.

Fantastic and anxious ride

This book keep me on the edge of my seat, like he is the author so you know he makes it but like how the EFF does one man, one young man, do that SOLO!!!! Enjoy this book and find out I mean, now I believe it’s time for me to Katie his advice and book a back woods camping trip. Thank you Adam for bringing me into this wild ride!

Great Adventure Story

Amazingly told, put you right there, the details aren’t overwhelming, this listen kept me transfixed, from chapter to chapter, one of my Favorites on Audible so far, at nearly 60 plus Tittles, Audiitor is believable and Genuine who I believe is the Author, Great armchair Adventurer, and the remote places visited breathtaking A+

Great adventures!

I first"found" Adam through his documentary Alone Across the Artic which you can get on Amazon prime. I was hooked! Since then I've purchased his audible books (and his recent hard copy release The Whisper on Winds, also in Amazon). He's a great storyteller. Fascinating historical facts are shared along with some handy advice if you ever plan on venturing out on your own. I will never be able to do this epic adventure so being able to go along the journey, with the actual person who did the journey, was fantastic!

Just ok

To be honest it was a very uneventful journey which is good I suppose but I just kept waiting for something to happen but nothing ever did. The little bits of history scattered throughout the story made it somewhat interesting.

where was the editor ?

quit about halfway through. not enough interesting going on to contact. buy this if you have insomnia