surprise. In 2020, the Royal Canadian Geographical Society pegged the adventurer and environmentalist as one of Canada’s 90 Greatest Explorers.

Born in the shadows of Canada’s endless skies in North Vancouver in 1970, Wolf’s adventures have since become legendary. His nail-biting expeditions ripple like campfire sparks into the night. The wilderness trekker is regarded as the first to canoe across Canada in one relentless season. He’s braved winter’s icy grip cycling 2,000 kilometres on the frozen Yukon River from Dawson to Nome.

And now in his latest book, Two Springs, One Summer: A Year Inside the Life of a Chronic Adventurer, the renegade explorer recounts a year shaped by three epic journeys. The book opens with a 280-kilometre ski trek across Baffin Island’s stark, white expanse, where the wind howls like a restless spirit. Then, the story shifts to the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, where Wolf paddles 1,750 kilometres of untamed waterways, tracing the ancient veins of the land under the northern sky. Finally, he retraces the ill-fated 1854 journey of explorer John Rae, battling the frozen Arctic landscape on a harrowing 550-kilometre ski odyssey.

DS: Do you keep a journal religiously?
FW: Yes. No matter how tired I am, I write every evening—in a tent or elsewhere—capturing the day’s moments and reflections. Two Springs, One Summer begins each chapter with a haiku, distilling the day’s essence into a concise 5-7-5 structure. After the haiku, I dive into the day’s details.

DS: What makes each journey unique?
FW: Every journey has a distinct purpose. In 2013, I rowed through the Northwest Passage to document Arctic climate change, incorporating the perspectives of Inuit and Inuvialuit communities. Another trip followed the proposed route of an oil pipeline from Alberta to the ecologically fragile area of the B.C. coastline. For that journey, I biked, hiked, pack-rafted and kayaked.

DS: How do you prepare for a trip and keep things simple?
FW: After years of experience, it’s second nature. My first major trip was a 171-day canoe journey across Canada from the Bay of Fundy to Vancouver. I was 24. The simplicity hooked me. Now, I approach each trip like an extended weekend—same tent, same boots, just more food. Planning involves shipping supplies or carrying extra provisions.

DS: Do you explore destinations for culinary experiences?
FW: My wife and I love exploring the Gulf Islands, enjoying breweries and coastal restaurants. Beyond Canada, Italy’s Dolomites, Finale Ligure, and Lake Como are unforgettable. We spent weeks savouring the region’s food, wine and beauty with friends.

Frank Wolf’s life is a testament to the enduring spirit of exploration. Whether navigating Arctic waters or sampling Italian cuisine, his adventures remind us of the simplicity found in embracing the unknown.