Through trackless Labrador

by H. (Hesketh) Hesketh-Prichard

"Through trackless Labrador" by H. Hesketh-Prichard is a travel and exploration account written in the early 20th century. It follows a small expedition from the Moravian mission coast at Nain into the unmapped interior toward the George River, mixing adventure with close observation of Labrador’s stark geography, wildlife, and the lives of missionaries, Inuit, settlers, and Nascaupee and Montagnais Indians. Expect river ascents by canoe, hard portaging over a barren, mosquito-ridden plateau, and a practical focus on hunting, caching, and survival. The opening of this work sets out the author’s aim: to cross the unknown plateau between the Atlantic and the George River using light Indian-style methods, living partly off the land and caching food, while praising the Moravian Mission and noting the harsh, “predatory” economy of Labrador. It sketches the land and people—climate shaped by polar currents, scattered coastal stations, seasonal fishermen, Inuit hunters, and interior Indians—along with the barrens, flies, and grand, austere scenery. The narrative then recalls an earlier failed attempt inland and details the 1910 plan with G. M. Gathorne-Hardy and canoe man Robert Porter, choosing the mission ship Harmony to reach Nain via Makkovik and Hopedale. At Nain the party gathers local intelligence, rejects safer southern routes despite warnings, and targets the Fraser River via Nunaingoak Bay, hiring an Eskimo helper while relying on caches and minimal loads. They sail up the bay, cross a long lake, and fight upstream in rain through shallow, rapid water hemmed by rising cliffs, with mosquitoes constant and game scarce. The helper demands higher pay and deserts; the three remaining men cache supplies, scout a steep ravine as a possible exit to the plateau, and then suffer a dangerous capsize on the Fraser that nearly drowns Porter and scatters their gear.