Simon Fraser and the Roller-Coaster River

Second Voyage (to Pacific)

Fraser found a route to the Pacific Ocean along what is now known as the Fraser River, but the route was too difficult to be used for the fur trade Copyright/Source

Because of a bad fishing season and not enough supplies, Fraser's group did not go all the way down the river until 1808. Local Native peoples warned him that the river was too rough to pass, but they tried anyway. By June, Fraser and the other members of the expedition gave up trying to travel by water and finished the trip on foot.

Though they had successfully travelled all the way down the river (which was later named after him), Fraser was disappointed. The route was too difficult to be of use to the fur trade.

Whew, That Was Close!
During his trip of 1808, Fraser travelled a river so violent that he and his group had some close calls. When they came to a gorge, he sent a light canoe down the narrow passage first. The paddlers lost control and the canoe crashed on the rocks. Steps had to be cut in the cliff, and the canoe, baggage, and men were pulled up the steep rock face.

Another time, one of his men got stuck on a rocky precipice while carrying supplies and Fraser had to crawl along to cut the straps of the man's backpack. The pack fell into the river, and the man was able to crawl to safety.