When Norwegian adventurer Steffen Skjottelvik set out from Fort Severn, Ont., in late July on foot with his dogs and a dream of walking the remote coastline to York Factory, Man., he knew the risks: Muskeg, rivers swollen with tides, polar bears and wolves.

A spokesperson for the family of Steffen Skjottelvik says Canadian police have notified them that the 29-year-old's backpack was recovered near the fast-moving Hayes River, where crews have focused search efforts in recent days.

Searchers canvassing treacherous muskeg and swift-moving rivers have recovered a backpack and rifle belonging to a missing Norwegian trekker who was on a cross-continental journey of the Canadian wilderness.