Justin’s 1,000km Rivershed Walk
Justin Smith is walking 1,000 kilometres through the Fraser Rivershed to help build support for protecting 30% of the Fraser by 2030.
1000km Walk Frequently Asked Questions
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I’m walking 1,000 kilometres to build awareness and public support for habitat protection across the Fraser Rivershed. The Fraser Rivershed includes the main stem of the river, the streams and tributaries that feed it, and the surrounding lands that sustain the entire system.
The walk allows me to highlight places beyond the swim route, including areas urgently in need of protection, such as the proposed Goat River Protected Area.
My goal is to show how communities like Tête Jaune Cache, Boston Bar, and Coquitlam are all connected through an amazing and diverse ecosystem. While walking, I’ll also be encouraging folks to sign the Fraser River Challenge Declaration to build public support and momentum for habitat protection throughout the Fraser Rivershed.
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My goal is to walk a total of 1,000 kilometres between August 7 and September 4. The route will not be one continuous, unbroken line. Some sections of the corridor are simply not safe for pedestrians because of traffic, road design, construction, wildfire conditions, or other hazards.
Because I’m aiming to walk 1,000km and not die in the process, I’ll hop in a shuttle where it is unsafe to walk. Every kilometre counted toward the challenge will be completed on foot.
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I will be accompanied by a support vehicle to keep me safe during the walk. In more remote areas where the vehicle cannot follow directly, additional walkers or hikers will join me wherever required by the safety plan.
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Extreme wildfire seasons are having profound effects on habitats and communities throughout the Fraser Rivershed. Places along the route, including Lytton and Boston Bar, have experienced firsthand how serious and rapidly changing these conditions can be.
We will monitor official wildfire alerts, evacuation orders, air quality, road conditions, and local guidance throughout the expedition. If conditions are unsafe, I will pause, reroute, or travel through the affected area by support vehicle before resuming the walk somewhere safe. The expedition will never take precedence over emergency operations or community safety.
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Follow @walkoisseur on Instagram and TikTok for semi-weekly updates, and @fraserrivkeeper to follow the swim relay and the rest of the expedition
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That’s how long I estimate it’ll take to travel from the Fraser headwaters to the sea — with a few diversions to enjoy the rivershed along the way.
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You can donate to the walk here and sign the Fraser Rivershed Declaration here
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You can donate to the walk here: https://fraserriverkeeper.ca/donate-walk and support the campaign by signing the Fraser River Challenge Declaration, and sharing the journey online.
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I’ll track the walk using GPS and maintain a daily record of the route and distance completed. Only kilometres travelled on foot will count toward the 1,000-kilometre goal.
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There may be opportunities for people to join selected, publicly announced portions of the walk. Because some sections involve narrow highways, remote terrain, or other safety concerns, people should only join at designated locations and should not arrive along the route without coordinating with the expedition team. If you have questions, please email hello@fraserriverkeeper.ca
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The walk begins at Tete Jaune Cache, near Mount Robson Provincial Park, and ends at Garry Point Park, in Richmond.
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The goal is ambitious, but health and safety come first. The team will assess conditions daily, and I’ll pause or adjust the schedule if continuing would be unsafe.