Comox District Mountaineering Club (CDMC) is pleased to be working in collaboration with the Canadian Explorations Historical Society (Canadian EH Society) to present an evening sure to appeal to writers, historians, adventurers and explorers. On Saturday, June 7, the Stan Hagen Theatre at North Island College will host authors, film makers and mountaineers in this riveting event.
CDMC is Comox Valley's local club for hikers, snowshoers, and backpackers, and provides guided hikes and trips into the wilderness. As a non-profit society, the CDMC aims to promote conservation, proper use of Parks and wilderness areas, and educates, promotes leadership, and works on projects in partnership with BC Parks and private landholders.
The CDMC has been a pivotal group for outdoor enthusiasts since 1928, and was and continues to be integral in developing trails and amenities in Strathcona Provincial Park. CDMC President, Petra Strougal, says 鈥渢his presentation of food and adventures on remote mountains aligns with the CDMC's purposes, so we are pleased to host the Canadian EH Society and bring this event to our members and other Comox Valley residents.鈥� The Canadian EH Society's mission is to educate Canadians about the country鈥檚 history of exploration through expeditions and documentaries.
The year was 1925. The challenge was Mount Logan in the cold, remote Yukon territory, part of the largest glacial area in the world. The largest peak in Canada, Mount Logan stands at 5, 959 metres or 19,551 feet. It is the second highest peak in North America, next to Denali. The snow and ice stretch 16,000 feet (compared to Mount Everest's 12,500 ft). White out conditions and blizzards are typical, even in the middle of summer. Mount Logan is a formidable opponent now, and in 1925 there were no rescue or medical opportunities.
The challenge was accepted by a US Navy Captain, who was joined by five British, American and Canadian alpinists. Comox Valley resident Hamilton Mack Laing, a naturalist, was hired by the National Museum of Canada to film flora and fauna in the treeline during the expedition. The group climbed for 6 weeks on ice. Their equipment was big and bulky to ensure warmth, ranging from 75 to over 100 lbs. Despite the equipment, some suffered from frostbite. The group summited on June 23, 1925 at 8:00 p.m. The group all lived to tell tales, and faced remarkable treachery over the three month expedition. This feat is being recognized by the Canadian EH Society with a reenactment using antique equipment such as canvas tents and kerosene stoves in June 2026.
The 2026 expedition will be led by Bryan Thompson. The expedition will be one part of Beyond the Summit. Audience members will also hear about a book featuring Hamilton Mack Laing and the 1925 expedition, and see a film about another Canadian EH Society expedition 鈥� to Vancouver Island's Mount Waddington. Present will be the author of a book on backpacking food as well.
鈥淩ight now, Canadians need to hear stories of Canadian achievements that they can celebrate,鈥� says Thompson, who is touring British Columbia and Yukon this summer to raise awareness of his planned reenactment on Mount Logan.
Film Presentations will be Chaos Glacier Country - an authentic re-creation of an historic climb and The Conquest of Mt Logan - archival footage from the 1925 expedition.
The Spotlight on a book will be 鈥楥apturing the Summit: Hamilton Mack Laing and the Mount Logan Expedition of 1925鈥� by Trevor Marc Hughes.
The panel discussion will be made up of Trevor Marc Hughes (Capturing the Summit, The Final Spire), Bryan Thompson (The Well-Fed Backcountry Adventurer), Susanna Oreskovic (Expedition to Mystery Mountain) and Greg Gransden (filmmaker for Canadian EH Society).
The evening starts at 7:00 p.m. and admission is by cash donation at the door. To reserve your spot visit: .
