Ray Mears - Northern Wilderness (2009)

This fascinating series covers Ray Mears' journey through the vast landscapes of Canada. Along the way Ray tells the story of the fur trade, learns the ways of the Inuit, and follows the paths of great early Northern explorers through the tundra and Rocky Mountains.

Episode 1 of 6: The Forgotten Forest
His journey begins in the vast Boreal Forest at the heart of Canada. This is a place where knowledge and experience are still far more important than the equipment you carry, a place left alone for centuries before Europeans arrived. Ray explores the wonder of this special forest, learns about the people who called it home and unlocks the secrets of this forgotten world. This is a land where knowledge of bushcraft is not just desirable, it is essential.

Episode 2 of 6: The Company that Built a Country
As Ray makes his journey, across land and by canoe, he tells the story of one of the greatest companies the world has ever known - the Hudson's Bay Company that opened up Canada. Ray discovers how those early fur traders were pioneers who laid the foundations of modern Canada. He also demonstrates local crafts and bushcraft skills that bring the landscape to life.

Episode 3 of 6: The Unknown Pioneer
For Ray, there is one British pioneer who stands above all others in the exploration of Canada - Samuel Hearne. In learning to travel using First Nations skills, he set the template for successful travel into Canada's wilderness. In a celebration of one of Earth's last great wildernesses, Ray follows in the footsteps of his hero's epic journey of over 1,000 miles.

Episode 4 of 6: In Arctic Footsteps
In this episode, Ray follows in the footsteps of unsung British hero John Rae, who was the first great Arctic explorer and came to be regarded as the foremost authority on First Nation methods of Arctic survival and travel. Ray Mears follows the story of how John Rae found the Northwest Passage - the Holy Grail of 19th-century exploration.

Episode 5 of 6: Koo Koo Sint - 'The Star Gazer'
In this episode, Ray follows in the footsteps of David Thompson, a Briton who helped change the face of Canada by mapping four million square miles of North America. Ray explores Thompson's footsteps across the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Coast, drawing on a new set of bushcraft skills and local knowledge and investigating the mapping techniques used by Thompson.

Episode 6 of 6: Journey's End
Until David Thompson found a route through the Rockies, the west coast was effectively cut off from the rest of Canada. The unique cultures, skills and landscape of Canada's far west make it a rich and diverse place, a place where totem poles once dominated the landscape and people relied on the sea. Ray explores its bushcraft, nature and traditions as he completes his journey across Canada.