Art “Karts” Huseonica and Lauren “Lolo” Sherwood are frequently asked the question how their Yukon 2020™ expedition came to be in early 2019.
Mr. Huseonica, a Sun City resident first pondered traveling the entire 2,000-mile/3,200km Yukon River two years ago. His 2016 Amazon River expedition leader and author Jacki Hill-Murphy suggested the adventure. Over time, the idea morphed several times, resulting into a Yukon River source-to-sea run in an open, Canadian-style canoe.
At first, it was to be a solo adventure, but many of Mr. Huseonica’s family, friends, and sponsors suggested that he sign on a partner. This suggestion was due to the inherent danger of taking on such a remote and challenging 
adventure alone. He personally believes that it was partially because people were getting tired of him.
After a long international search, Ms. Sherwood (pictured here) was selected to be the second paddle. A native of Prescott, Arizona, USA she brings to the canoe an adventurous spirit, knowledge on numerous expedition subjects, a great sense of adventure, and is not afraid of a challenge. Ms. Sherwood will be the expedition’s primary drone operator.
Making this a properly documented record-attempt expedition resulted from a search of past Yukon River runs. One example was Beth Johnson’s popular Yukon River expedition whose resulting detailed book Yukon Wild is being used by the team as a valuable
reference. Ms. Johnson and several ladies, ages 27-52, put in at Whitehorse, several miles from what today is considered the river’s source. It was certainly an epic adventure.
Another valuable source was the exploits of the former United States premier long distance paddler Verlen Kruger. He was older than Mr. Huseonica when he ran the Yukon, but he used heavily modified watercraft. Despite this, years after Mr. Kruger’s passing, he still holds the total respect of the team. Pictured here is Miles Canyon in the Yukon Territory (PC: Simon Blakesley)
When Yukon 2020™ starts on June 4, 2020, Mr. Huseonica will be 69. Ms. Sherwood will 
turn 26 when they reach the Arctic Circle in late June. To properly document a record attempt of being the youngest and the oldest to paddle the entire Yukon River, the team is required to officially declare what they are going to do, explain what they are doing while on the expedition, and then tell what they did at the completion. In addition, during the expedition, they are required to provide a trilogy of proof. This includes: a publicly accessible GPS track, documented eyewitnesses, and location selfies and videos.
Before flying to the river’s headwaters near the border with British Columbia, the team will outfit in Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada (pictured here, PC: Simon Blakesley). This is a self-supported, unassisted expedition, meaning that the team cannot accept any help along the river, and cannot use wind power in any fashion. They will mail resupply boxes to remote villages along the river in Alaska. They are required to complete portages themselves; one portage being 1 ½ miles.
Helpful input is being received from experienced Yukon River runner John “Double Tap” Van Barriger. In fact, the team anticipates seeing Mr. Van Barringer on the river this summer. Another modern-day source of information is respected extreme adventurer and Canada’s premiere long distance canoeist Martin Trahan. This includes info about river traffic and the numerous side streams and dangerous sand and gravel bars such as pictured here. (PC: Simon Blakesley)
Resupply costs along the river are exorbitant. For example, a can of tuna is $8.00USD. A 
bag of chips is $12.00USD. You can provide direct financial support to the expedition and receive an expedition t-shirt (pictured here) at the team’s Yukon 2020™ Go Fund Me.
A Facebook group page and a Website will be soon published to help keep the team’s followers updated. The group page will include a link to track the team’s progress in real-time and information not found anywhere else.
Meanwhile, you can also see the above information in this article.
Arizonian Explorer 