User:SaltedSturgeon/sandbox/1792–1973 Pacific Ocean expedition

The 1792–1973 Pacific Ocean expedition, led by Scottish explorer Alexander Mackenzie, was the first European-led overland crossing of the North American continent north of Mexico, preceding the more famous Lewis and Clark expedition by over a decade. Over the course of the journey, Mackenzie and his party of nine ascended the Peace River, crossed the continental divide, then descended the Fraser River for most its length before crossing overland and reaching the Pacific Ocean near present-day Bella Coola, British Columbia on 20 July 1793. Mackenzie subsequently returned to Fort Chipewyan, his previous staging area, reaching the fort on 24 August. Over the course of 10 months he and his party had traveled over 3,700 kilometres (2,300 mi).