The former managing editor of explore: Canada's Outdoor Magazine and now a writing professor at the University of Victoria, David Leach has a long and passionate interest in wilderness travel, outdoor sports and adventure writing. Magazine assignments for a variety of international publications have led him to kayak through polar-bear country; mountain bike across the Andes; compete at the TransRockies Challenge bike race and the Canadian Ski Marathon; and profile many of North America's top explorers and adventurers. He lives with his family on Vancouver Island.