A Shortcut through the Yukon

Occasionally, a long-distance move can transform from something ordinary into an epic adventure. When routes suddenly change and the weather becomes dire, timelines turn into looming deadlines. For Montell Beals of Two Small Men with Big Hearts, one recent long-distance move turned into just such an adventure that was simultaneously stressful and rewarding.

Based out of the Two Small Men Calgary location, Montell has completed many moves that have taken him all over Western Canada. His role is not just about getting from one place to another. It is about safely transporting customers’ belongings over long distances, often across provincial borders, while managing tight schedules, changing conditions, and the responsibility that comes with carrying someone’s entire home on the road. Preparation, safety, and consistency define his approach. Every load is carefully packed, protected, and balanced for highway travel, and every route is planned with attention to both efficiency and risk.

There was one trip, however, that truly pushed Montell to his limits.

On this trip, he was joined by his coworker and close friend Eric Latendresse. When road conditions get tough and the voyage starts to drag on, it can make a huge difference having a trusted colleague in the truck with you. They split the heavy lifting of the multiple moves, the driving itself, and they tried to make sense of the ever-changing route. Partnerships like this are part of the reason that Two Small Men with Big Hearts excels at long-distance moving. The crew members are there to support not only clients, but each other.

"I couldn't ever imagine doing a trip like this solo, and I luckily got to do this trip with Eric, who is one of my best friends as well as a coworker," says Montell. "Having a brother I have so much love for with me to conquer this monster trip, someone I can count on for any challenge and who keeps me sane and levelheaded and who gave me the chance to enjoy the experience that much more!"

Although it seemed like it would take a long time, the initial plan for the trip was simple enough: nine days on the road starting in Calgary, then going through Kelowna, Vancouver, and up to Dease Lake in northern B.C. Finally, they were supposed end in Grande Prairie, Alberta. “The Yukon wasn’t even in the cards,” Montell says.

But even the best-laid plans have a way of falling apart when it comes to travelling over long distances. Once they were done in BC, the guys had to decide whether they should backtrack south through Prince George or head even further north and take a "shortcut" through the Yukon as a way of getting back to Alberta. The Yukon option seemed unfeasible at first but as the deadline loomed it started to seem like a better idea.

“We were stressed we weren’t going to make it,” Montell recalls. “So I suggested we take the Yukon route.” It was the fastest option. It made logistical sense. And just like that, the plan changed.

The Yukon plan was locked in by the time the guys had made it to Dease Lake. They'd head north to Watson Lake, which was just over the Yukon border. It was only a half hour drive to make it into Yukon but it still felt like an achievement. Montell and Eric were now the first Two Small Men employees to visit Yukon on a job, or even venture that far north.

“It was crazy,” he says. “There was never a plan for me to drive that far north.”

They rolled into town after 10 p.m., greeted by massive snowbanks on the shoulder of the road. It was beyond freezing and the highway felt eerily isolated and different than anywhere they had ever been before.

“It felt like Ice Road Truckers,” Montell says.

Two Small Men has strict safety standards for drivers and that means that strict limits are imposed on time spent behind the wheel. This puts the priority on safety over speed. And so, after a long day of driving, the team checked into a small hotel. In a moment of pure happenstance, they bumped into one of the cast members from Highway Thru Hell, which is itself a reality tv show about dangerous trucking conditions in arctic climates. The drivers exchanged stories from the road and were left with some tips.

“We actually talked for a bit,” Montell says. “He gave me some advice.”

In the morning, the guys continued on their mission, now heading to Grande Prairie, which was still another 13 hours away. The conditions of the drive were constantly changing along with the weather and climate. The road would go from being frozen to soaking wet to frozen again. Sometimes, the amount of snow on the side of the road seemed impossible.

“It was the most stressful, but most beautiful and fun trip I’ve ever done,” Montell says.

There were even some furry friends who made brief appearances. On this one trip, the guys witnessed a pair of brown foxes, a pack of caribou and even a few dozen bison along one especially magical stretch of highway.

“We probably saw like 70 bison,” he says. “It was unreal.” It was a reminder that this was not just another route, it was a part of Canada few people ever experience firsthand.

Despite all this, Montell and Eric were not distracted from their mission. Over the course of this trip, they had completed four residential moves which were all different in their own way and posed their own unique problems. A large antique wardobe that needed to be hauled up some stairs was especially difficult.

“It was a challenge,” Montell says. “But we got it done.”

Montell stands out as one of the company's best movers because of this attitude and dedication. The long drive and crazy weather may be just another part of the job, but managing it properly is paramount.

And to be clear, the guys didn't do it alone. They were supported behind the scenes by branch manager Lyndsy Richard who helped them figure out the route and keep the drivers sane. She was also the one who booked the hotels and who kept an eye on road conditions, keeping the drivers constantly updated. This was difficult for all as there were some stretches of the trip where no cell service was available, but they all worked though it together and made it happen.

“It exceeded my expectations,” Montell says. “I definitely want to do more of these trips.”

At the end of the day, this was far more than just a few moves strung together. It was the ultimate long-distance move complete with every challenge that could have been experienced. But it was ultimately an experience they were prepared for and which they handled with grace and precision, just as their time at Two Small Men with Big Hearts had prepared them for.

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