In 1987 three friends took a train ride to London, Canada from Kalamazoo, Michigan.  From there, they hitchhiked around Canada and tried to find some adventure.  It was fun, but the “adventure” wasn’t there.   The “guys” were in (or just graduating form) High School.  After the trip, the desire to explore remained. 

After years of travelling remote areas together, Brian Hauenstein and Chuck Hayden decided to invite a few other friends on their adventures.  The new expeditioneers found themselves on some unique adventures and in some precarious situations.

After only a couple of trips, the Fortune Bay Expeditionary Team was formed.  The careful selection of words tries to express the unique nature of the organization.  Fortune Bay is taken from the adventurous and romantic exploits of the Hudson Bay Company.  Expeditionary is from the latin root – “to free the foot”.  Team is a very subtle but important aspect of the “where we go one, we go all” attitude that is so integral to accomplish the “expeditions”.

As new members were added it became clear that it was important to have an avenue to share the skills and experience needed to join expeditions.  Courses, classes, competitions and short trips were organized so new members could experience the team and its activities without the danger and misery.  These educational and competitive events also provide a source of revenue for the team to cover costs and offer free participation in expeditions.

The “expeditions” are arduous affairs.  These travels are usually performed in the Great Lakes region.  They take members to rarely explored places and highlight activities that are unique and innovative.  It is not the intention of an expedition to travel to “popular” spots by common means.   It is to explore the “little known” with the “rarely used” techniques.

In addition, the team provides services for field research including locating items or geographic features, scouting rivers and trails, assisting in searches.  The team will gather pictures, samples or field notes for travel brochures or tourist information.  The team also helps university projects and companies locate abandoned mine shafts, decades old crash sites or setting up a camp or remote observation equipment.

The team has formed partnerships with education institutions and other organizations.  Senior members are kept busy with classes, courses and expeditions.   New members take courses, participate in short trips and competitions.  After a while, new members become senior members, share their knowledge and experiences, and participate in expeditions.