Wild Northerner Magazine Fall 2016 | Page 74

This southern Ontario boy has made northern Ontario his home for the last 10 years. He lives in Hearst, with his girlfriend, Kayla, and works as a forestry technician for Hearst Forest Management Inc. He loves the outdoors and enjoys fishing, camping, canoeing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and taking as many photographs as he can of the abundant wildlife and wild scenes at his doorstep.

It was his college years that gave Harbin the desire to live in an area that features more trees and hills than buildings and parking lots.

“I couldn't be happier being a southern Ontario boy now mixed with northern Ontario,” the 33-year-old said. “I am a Libra, so I am all about the balance. I know where I am from and I know where I am meant to be, together, it works out beautifully. Being raised a city boy in Kitchener and working seasonally in northern Ontario for years, while in college, I found myself more drawn to the outdoors than the big city lifestyle. I prefer a slower paced lifestyle and being able to do things outdoors and not have to travel a huge distance to do them. My favourite things about Hearst have to be the abundance of forest and wildlife. There is nothing better than driving to work and not seeing any buildings around you … just trees, lakes, rivers and wildlife. You can drive down any road and find happiness. Whether it’s a partridge, moose or a fishing hole. There is definitely no shortage of beauty.”

Harbin enjoyed eventful and memorable outings with his parents - Gary and Pat - as

as he grew up, and his siblings. His family did a lot of camping and cave exploring. Those early excursions and memories played a huge role on the influence the outdoors had on Harbin. It has kept him seeking adventure and fun in remote places.

“I think it’s important to keep that youthful, playful, adventurous, wild spirit alive, especially when we get older and life seems to take over,” “ he said. “If you lose grip on what made you who you are and what makes you happy, you've lost it. The thing I love to do most outdoors has to be fishing. I have a busy summer when it comes to my work and I don't always get out as much as I’d like, but when I do, I love fishing! The thrill of just being on a lake, whether it’s with myself or with a friend, is just great.”

Harbin also works with Kayla, who is a GIS technician. They both share an unbreakable bond with the bush. Harbin is well aware he has an ideal situation where his love for the outdoors is combined and shared with his personal life and work.

“I guess I am one of the lucky ones,” Harbin said. “When I am not in the office, I get to drive and walk around the forest and experience all of what it has to offer. It is something I don't take for granted and appreciate, especially when others tell me they are stuck in a cubicle for eight hours. Kayla has been on a week- long canoe trip, and it is the longest time we have spent apart since we starting dating more than three years ago. I have only now found out how much I love experiencing my adventures with her and how everything I do without her, isn’t nearly as fun. When you have someone to share all the beauty and countless moments together with, it’s that much more special of a feeling.”

Harbin has had countless experiences and encounters in the North in his time. One fall work trip stands out in particular. It left Harbin’s heart nearly pounding out of his chest.

Harbin was canoeing a river with a good friend, Paddy. They came across a big moose which came crashing through the trees and onto the other side of the river they were paddling. It got intense from there.

“The moose walked a couple more steps and shook the dew off his back and we felt the rumble across the river,” Harbin said. “I told Paddy this wasn’t a good idea because we were in the bush during the rut. The moose was walking into the river and swimming directly across to us. We kind of panicked, but once the moose got a smell of two guys on a river trip for 10 days, he ran the second he caught a whiff of us. To make this trip even more crazy, when we got close to the end of our trip, there was a tree that had fallen right over the river, so we had to pull the canoe up and over the tree. I was in the front, so I got out and stood on the tree that was over the water. As I look around after stepping on the tree trunk, I could see a hunter had his rifle bead directly on me and proceeded to ask me how’s it going. I responded with ‘Put your gun down’. He gave me and my buddy a couple beers after my heart was placed back into my chest, and we went on our merry way.”