Great Bear or Bust introduced a northern canoe expedition by Mike Ranta and his Finnish Spitz, Spitziii. The announced route began at Wrigley in the Northwest Territories, continuing about 250 km along the Mackenzie River to Tulita before the Great Bear River and Great Bear Lake.
Mike planned to travel more than 2,100 km around the lake's shoreline. The expedition supported Warrior Adventures Canada, which works with Canadian veterans and first responders living with PTSD through wilderness programs.
A paddler, adventurer and storyteller with ties to Killarney Mountain Lodge, Mike also created The Big Dipper paddle at the resort. This page retains the expedition's background; it does not confirm the party's live location or the outcome of the trip.
- Announced starting point: Wrigley, Northwest Territories
- Great Bear Lake shoreline route: more than 2,100 km
- Cause: Warrior Adventures Canada