forums
new posts
donate
UER Store
events
location db
db map
search
members
faq
terms of service
privacy policy
register
login




UER Forum > UE Photography > A Journey To The Center of The Universe (Viewed 1065 times)
terapr0 


Location: Sauga City
Gender: Male
Total Likes: 341 likes


www . tohellandback . net

 |  |  | To Hell And Back
A Journey To The Center of The Universe
< on 3/24/2020 2:16 AM >
Reply with Quote
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
Here are some photos from a very unique location I got to visit on a 2 week fly-in canoe trip in Wabakimi Provincial Park this summer. Since I'm lazy when it comes to writing, I've borrowed the description of what follows from a government report published in the 1980's by the Ontario Ministry of Culture and Recreation in conjunction with researchers from Lakehead University. While I have not been able to find the report anywhere online, there was a printed copy tucked inside an old tin in one of the cabins along with a guestbook. It offers a far more descriptive overview of the site than what I could string together myself.

Anyways, here's a primer on the life and story of Wendell Beckwith and the life that he built for himself on Best Island. Enjoy!

"In the early 1960’s, Wendell Beckwith, an American, settled quietly and illegally on an island on Whitewater Lake, some 200miles North of Thunder Bay. In this isolated location, Beckwith hoped to find the solitude that would permit him to carry out “pure research” into gravitation. In this work, Beckwith was sponsored by Harry Wirth, an American businessman. Wirth offered Beckwith the role of construction foreman/caretaker at “his” camp in Northern Ontario in return for room and board and a place to do his research.
As it turned out, Wirth seldom visited the Whitewater Camp. When the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) was finally able in 1977 to get land-use permit signed and a fee paid for the Best Island camp, the permit was made out solely in Beckwith’s name.
During the time that Beckwith lived at the camp, he developed into something of a folk hero in northwestern Ontario. By the mid 1970’s a steady flow of summer visitors paid calls to Best Island. Beckwith welcomed the visitors, discussed his work and received in return help in maintaining the camp and carrying out repairs to the buildings.
In early 1979 Beckwith received a visit from staff of the then Ministry of Culture and Recreation who were interested in his work and growing reputation in the region. Beckwith signed a formal Deed of Gift in September 1979, leaving his “work”, research notes and experimental apparatus to the Minister of Culture and Recreation on behalf of the Crown. By this action Beckwith hoped to ensure that his work would be available to others and perhaps pursued.
In August 1980 Beckwith died suddenly of a heart attack at the Whitewater camp. The camp was on Crown Land and according to the terms of the land-use permit the land reverted to the Crown upon the death of the permit holder. Thus, MNR once again became manager of the tract of land, now improved with three cabins, various outbuildings and other features. Recognizing a general concern in the Thunder Bay district as well as further afield regarding the future of the site, MNR, in the summer of 1982, requested the assistance of the Ministry of Citizenship and Culture (MCC, formerly MCR) in assessing the cultural significance of the structures on the site.

…..While he lived on Best Island Beckwith was a recluse, but while he seldom sought human contact he did not shun it. Visitors were welcome and many came back. His search for solitude in order to work may have backfired on him to some extent. Although he was free of the channeling effect of groups which a lab situation would have offered, he also lacked the opportunities for frequent or regular comments from interested co-workers. A group situation can stifle original ideas by pressure to work along established, orthodox lines, but it can also provide helpful, constructive criticism. By definition a group situation is not necessarily wrong or dangerous; the manner in which the group is run may be. His reliance on others for reading material may have left him without information he might have found interesting and useful. Certainly, his practical skills were respectable and he was willing to learn by experimentation how to improve his handiwork. He designed and built, largely by himself, an individualistic compound on the Shield which stands out from both other European and original Native efforts as highly distinctive and successful.
Seemingly most who met Beckwith liked him and admired his solitary quest. His courage and ability to do what many dream of – renounce the rat race and move to his own beat – inspired admiration. This is exemplified by the inclusion of two pictures of him in the National Geographic article in Ontario (December 1978). Perhaps naturally this admiration grew into mythic proportions as the details of his accomplishments were magnified in their frequent retelling. A mad hermit he was certainly not; but we do not yet know what part of his research, if any, might prove valuable to others. He was an eccentric person whose interests and accomplishments resulted in an individualistic way of life.”

#1 – Our first glimpse of “Roses cabin”


#2 – Inside Roses Cabin – the 2nd cabin built on this site by Wendel Beckwith. Check out the super cool wooden tile floor in the entryway.


#3

#4


#5


#6


#7


#8 – “The Snail” – the 3rd and final cabin created by Wendel. Round, small and built into the side of a hill, it was perfectly optimized for solo living in the Canadian Shield. He said that it was so efficient to heat that after moving in the first winter he reduced the days work of gathering firewood from 3hrs to just 30 minutes.


#9


#10


#11


#12 – Entries in the Guestbook from canoe trippers over the years


#13 – found several guestbook entries from Wendel’s daughter and grandchildren who came to visit the site where he lived and died.


#14 – We had a gorgeous sunset


#15 – and the most amazing Northern Lights show I’ve ever seen!


#16 – played around with some flashlights before going to bed


#17 – The main cabin that Wendel built for his wealthy benefactor, Harry Wirth. It was a large and beautiful, yet totally impractical design that was (apparently) super difficult to heat. Wendel nearly froze to death when he attempted to live inside for the very first winter. The large stone fireplace, while attractive, did a lousy job of heating the cabin. Unfortunately, the building has been crushed by a tree, although it was once full of original native art and artifacts which Wendel commissioned for Mr. Wirth.


#18 – The historical report that we found inside a rusty old tin, and which I quote in the description of this post.


#19


#20 – Picture from our drop-off on Granite Lake, 7 days before we reached Best Island.


#21 – A massive pike that I caught on the Berg River.


#22 – Lots of nasty portages on this trip, including this one through floating bog.


#23 – It rained almost every day too


#23 – A sneak peak at some of the other gems we stumbled across during our trip through the heart of Wabakimi Provincial Park


Hope you enjoyed! For more info on Wendel Beckwiths cabins on Best Island check the following articles and trip reports:

https://www.explor...mi_Provincial_Park
https://www.theglo...n/article12418824/









www.tohellandback.net
blackhawk 

This member has been banned. See the banlist for more information.


Location: Mission Control
Total Likes: 3996 likes


UER newbie

 |  |  | 
Re: A Journey To The Center of The Universe
< Reply # 1 on 3/24/2020 2:33 AM >
Reply with Quote
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
An epic journey and beautiful shoot terapr0.
The polar lights are too cool
Always wanted to witness them... damn that's one hell a catch
Thank you for sharing these.




Just when I thought I was out... they pulled me back in.
Urban Downfall 


Location: Montréal - Qc
Gender: Male
Total Likes: 538 likes




 |  | 
Re: A Journey To The Center of The Universe
< Reply # 2 on 3/24/2020 3:09 AM >
Reply with Quote
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
Very cool avdentures and storys man




Il y a toujours un moyen.
MisUnderstood! 


Location: SouthEast, Texas
Gender: Female
Total Likes: 2046 likes


W/MyOwnEyes

 |  | 
Re: A Journey To The Center of The Universe
< Reply # 3 on 3/24/2020 5:42 AM >
Reply with Quote
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
What a great trip. Gorgeous pictures and a beauty of a Pike! The cabins are so interesting. Loved the entries in the guestbook. Thank You for sharing your adventures at this time when many of us are stuck at home due to the global madness/ virus.




A place of Mystery is Always worth a curiosity trip!
AdventureDan 


Location: Texas
Gender: Male
Total Likes: 366 likes


I'm here to make wavy eyebrows and climb on stuff

 |  |  | 
Re: A Journey To The Center of The Universe
< Reply # 4 on 3/24/2020 12:44 PM >
Reply with Quote
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
Wow. What a beautiful and poignant trip. I particularly love the quote on the cabin:

"I'm not interested in what is known, I'm only interested in what is unknown."

Inspiring to see the remnants of a man dedicated to discovery, even if only for himself.

And WOW gorgeous photos. Thank you for sharing!




AAAAAAAAAAAADVENTURE TIME!!!!
climb_something 


Location: Mpls
Gender: Male
Total Likes: 113 likes


I'm probably not wearing pants.

 |  | 
Re: A Journey To The Center of The Universe
< Reply # 5 on 3/24/2020 2:35 PM >
Reply with Quote
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
Looks like an amazing trip. Great photos, and thanks for the background info! What an interesting guy.




terapr0 


Location: Sauga City
Gender: Male
Total Likes: 341 likes


www . tohellandback . net

 |  |  | To Hell And Back
Re: A Journey To The Center of The Universe
< Reply # 6 on 3/27/2020 12:13 AM >
Reply with Quote
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
Thanks for the comments and kind words everyone, it's very much appreciated!




www.tohellandback.net
Goste 


Location: SF East Bay
Gender: Male
Total Likes: 196 likes




 |  | 
Re: A Journey To The Center of The Universe
< Reply # 7 on 3/27/2020 12:30 AM >
Reply with Quote
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
Looks like a great trip! Cool write up, really like the cabin shots and that plane shot. Thanks for sharing!




UER Forum > UE Photography > A Journey To The Center of The Universe (Viewed 1065 times)


Add a poll to this thread



This thread is in a public category, and can't be made private.



All content and images copyright © 2002-2024 UER.CA and respective creators. Graphical Design by Crossfire.
To contact webmaster, or click to email with problems or other questions about this site: UER CONTACT
View Terms of Service | View Privacy Policy | Server colocation provided by Beanfield
This page was generated for you in 93 milliseconds. Since June 23, 2002, a total of 737011395 pages have been generated.