I feel really sorry for this guy.

It all started in 2002 when he began chatting online with an unidentified lady in LaChute Quebec, and he decided he was in love.

So, Charles Gonsoulin followed his heart and came to the border.
The Los Angeles born man was refused entry because of a burglary conviction in the southern states dating back to 1984.

But love can’t be stopped.
He hopped a bus to North Dakota and decided to hike across the border.

100 hours later he’d gone seven kilometers and was found half frozen on a golf course in Emerson, Manitoba.

His initial plan was to hop a bus in Canada, and cross a couple of provinces to La Chute to meet his lady friend.
Canada has given him a suspended sentence, he’ll be deported.

He has suffered enough. He has had his fingers and most of his toes amputated because of frostbite.

He didn’t know pepper spray was illegal. He thought a parka, touque and mitts would get him where he needed to go. Poor guy had no idea.

I grew up in this cold and I wound up in a Winnipeg hospital with hypothermia when the gasline on my car froze. I was prepared, knew I was travelling in an isolated area and knew what could go wrong. I’m used to the north and nearly froze to death. Like Mr. Gonsoulin I owe my life to a sharp eyed citizen and trained and kind police offiers. I also owe my life to networked Presbyterians, a bus driver, an airline and the doctor waiting in Winnipeg.
I have no desire to travel in -60C ever again, prepared or not.