On Tour
The members of the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) were often the first non-Aboriginal people to visit, study, and map vast areas of Canada's wilderness.

Joseph Tyrrell's camp on the western shore of Hudson Bay,
Northwest Territories, 1893
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Portaging at Murchison's Rapids, North Thompson River,
British Columbia, 1871
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GSC survey party in winter camp, Peribonca River, Quebec, 1884
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The "rock stars" and their crew members faced many challenges and dangers as they surveyed the land, examined rock formations, collected samples and recorded their findings. They had to climb mountains, cross lakes and rivers, push their way through dense bush, scramble over rugged terrain and paddle for miles. They had to take shelter in the open and eat what was available. They were often in danger; forest fires, drowning, grizzly bears and other wild animals were big threats. Hordes of pesky mosquitoes were a constant problem. The work was demanding, but also rewarding. GSC crew members got to go places and see things that most Canadians did not.