Who Are We
Leanne and Karsten met over thirty years ago in kindergarten in Calgary, Alberta. Fifteen years later they “re-met” by chance, and discovered they’d lead parallel lives. After a decade of friendship and trips together (including the Y2Y Hike) they married and set off to honeymoon with the herd (Being Caribou). Shortly after returning from their Arctic adventure, Leanne gave birth to their son, Zev. They now live in Canmore, Alberta.
Leanne Allison, Filmmaker
Leanne is a University of Calgary graduate (B. PhysEd.) who, after guiding scientists in Antarctica and on the glaciers of the Rocky Mountains for 15 years, became a filmmaker. After a one-week crash-course in documentary filmmaking, she shot and co-directed the 2006 Gemini Award-winning National Film Board of Canada documentary, Being Caribou (2004), which also won Best Environmental Film at the Telluride Mountain Film Festival and Best Environment and Conservation Film at the 2005 Japan International Wildlife Film Festival.
Zev Heuer
Born in October 2004, Zev is the newest addition to the expedition and storytelling team. He showed his mettle early on in the Finding Farley expedition, walking every step of every portage on the cross-Canada trip.
Karsten Heuer, Wildlife Biologist, Park Warden and Author
Karsten is a University of Calgary trained wildlife biologist who also works as a seasonal park warden in Canadian national parks. He is a gifted public speaker and best-selling author of award-winning books for adults and children. He is the recipient of the Wilburforce Conservation Leadership Award, the Outdoor National Book Award (2006), and the Banff Mountain Book Festival’s Grand Prize.
Erica Heuer
Erica is a graphic designer by trade who, for the last ten years, has also worked part-time as publicist, expedition manager, and events coordinator for Necessary Journeys. She is based in Whitehorse, Yukon.
