The World According to Chris Morgan
Chris Morgan gives us the bear facts about his world of travel
Mountain/desert/jungle/ocean which are you?
Mountain all the way! Something has always drawn me to them – actually, not something – I know exactly what it is – it’s the wildness. It’s the same thing that draws bears there too, and I get that.
First travel experience?
Camping around southern Spain with my mum and dad when I was five years old. I remember two things: the sound of crickets, and somehow getting a bike for Christmas. My folks had managed to hide it in the back of the tiny camper for several weeks before the big day! My travelling bug was born.
Favourite journey?
From the UK to the Canadian Rockies when I was in my early 20s, and onwards to Alaska. I went to work on a grizzly bear research project near Banff National Park – capturing and collaring bears, then tracking them through the wilderness. I covered about 2,000 miles on foot and learned everything I know about grizzlies. Plus had a whirlwind road trip to Alaska with my buddy Hugh that I will never forget. “The Grizzly Boys” were born.
Top five places worldwide?
Are you kidding? You said this would be easy. I like so many places for so many reasons. Part of me (I discovered recently) loves chilling on a beach in Mexico with a gold-fish bowl of margarita, but then there’s the side of me that craves zero company in a wild mountain meadow many miles from anything human. Given a choice I’d take the latter any day, but here’s a stab:
The Alaska Peninsula – pound for pound, more giant, wild bears here than anywhere else I’ve been. It’s brown bear heaven, and a place more isolated and inaccessible than most.
Svalbard – like the Swiss Alps sliced off and plonked in the sea. Add a sprinkling of polar bears, walrus, and millions of shorebirds and you get a place so dramatically awe-inspiring it is hard to beat. I’m a northern guy who likes northern places – Svalbard is (nearly) at the top of the list for me.
