‘I don’t want to tempt fate twice’: Manitoban Ukraine war vet embarks on fundraising trek

After sticking his foot through the massive steel border wall separating the U.S. and Mexico on Sunday, Peter Derksen turned to face north — taking his first steps on the Pacific Crest Trail and officially embarking on a more than 4,000-kilometre trek through the American wilderness in support of Ukrainian soldiers.

If all goes according to plan, the retired Winnipeg Police Service officer and a veteran of the Ukraine war will spend up to six months traversing deserts, mountains and deep forests before crossing back into Canada.

Derksen, 59, spent roughly one year inside embattled Ukraine, beginning in September 2022. His journey included months on the front lines, where he fought Russian forces alongside Ukrainian soldiers.

“I’m very lucky I survived that, and I don’t want to tempt fate twice, but the plight of freedom for the Ukrainians needs to be in people’s minds,” Derksen said, speaking by phone from a campground near Campo, Calif., close to the trail’s southern terminus.

“I’m here to try to make a difference in this war, but instead of being in Ukraine, I am going to be here and trying to raise money for the heroes in Ukraine.”

Derksen plans to write an online blog documenting his hike of the Pacific Crest Trail, which spans about 4,265 kilometres through California, Oregon and Washington before ending in B.C. While he is not accepting any personal donations, he is asking supporters to contribute to United24, a fundraising effort launched by the Ukrainian government.

Donors can also contribute through the Canada-Ukraine Foundation, which offers tax receipts for Canadians.

He has pledged to match the first $2,000 in donations, dollar for dollar.

The veteran will be mostly alone as he hikes, but has the support of his wife and three adult children, who say they are proud of his relentless desire to help others.

“We’re just cheering him on, and so grateful that he’s found a way to serve his brothers and sisters in Ukraine without going back to the front line,” said his wife, Shannon Derksen.

She described harried phone calls during her husband’s time in Ukraine, during which it was not uncommon for her to overhear the whistle of incoming artillery shells in the background.

“From our perspective, this is a lot less stressful,” she said.

Still, the Pacific Crest Trail is not without its own hazards. The terrain can be gruelling and inclement weather is a constant threat. He will be required to brave the heat of southern California, cross frigid rivers and climb mountains that boast some of the highest altitudes in the contiguous U.S.

Once he gets his “trail legs” beneath him, Derksen said he expects to average about 32 kilometres each day, which is nearly the equivalent of a marathon.

“I feel great right now. I have no stress. All I have to do is walk. To people who are in Canada, that might sound like the hardest part, but to me, the hardest part was getting here,” he said.

Shannon Derksen described her husband as “authentic.”

“He will never lie to you, he will never pretend to be somebody that he isn’t, he always stands up for what he believes in,” she said. “He is ultimately kind and he wants to serve. He needs to have purpose.”

Derksen’s visa allows him to remain in the U.S. for 180 days, meaning he must return to Canada around or before early October.

tyler.searle@freepress.mb.ca