Knife, fishing gear, tape, wire: Blindfolded adventurer hits Yukon wilderness, scantily equipped

Frdric Dion likes a challenge. Right now, he's alone in the Yukon wilderness, without a map or compass, searching for food and a way out.

Dion was dropped off by helicopter while blindfoldedon Wednesdayand, with little more than the clothes on his back, he hopes to find his way back to civilization.

"It's the boy scout in me who wants to live the dream of surviving in the woods," he said in Whitehorse this week just before leaving for the wild Yukon interior, his latest in a series of extreme adventures.

The 39-year old Quebecerfrom the Mauricie regionis a professional adventurer and motivational speaker.

Dion has a pack raft with him and the only other gear he plans to use fits inside his water bottle.

"So it's a knife, fishing gear, tape, wire," he said.

"It can look crazy but if you have my experience, that's the right kit for fun and for play here," he said.

Dion plans to fish and forage for food but expects he will lose about a pound a day. It's one reason he hopes to find his way outwithin three weeks.

"The plan is to find a river and follow the river. There's towns, bridges or roads on all rivers here in Yukon, so I'll find my way."

Emergency gear available

"Fred is a crazy guy," said Karine Jenest.

A friend of Dion and anexpedition guide from the Yukon, she helped Dion organize his trip. She accompanied him in the helicopter to his drop point, north of Ross River in central Yukon.

Jenest said there is a safety plan.Dion has emergency gear with him, such asa sleeping bag and some food, but it's sealed and will only be opened if he has no other options.

She will also be following his adventure through a tracking device that will be linked to his web site.

"So every night we're going to see where he is going," she said.

In addition to his limited gear, Dion has four cameras along on the trip.

He says when he's done,he hopes to incorporate this trip into his work as motivational speaker. He's also using the adventure to raise money for the Quebec children's charity, Opration Enfant Soleil.