Written By: Lily Rothman, Liz Ronk
In 1953, photographer Wallace Kirkland explored the archetype of the Northern woodsman for LIFE Magazine, with a photo profile of the perfectly named Rock Robertson—”Strong Man of the North,” per the article’s headline.
Rock, at 31, six feet tall and 205 pounds, got his name from a grandfather who, predictably perhaps, had acquired the nickname due to his great strength. As a professional hunting and fishing guide, Rock Robertson regularly carried 300 pounds for miles and could pull off a moose mating call good enough to draw in the bulls that hunters wanted most. He once went more than a week without food, because of a storm, before walking 48 miles in snowshoes to get out of the woods. He faced the forest with a smile and a shrug, embracing the outdoors lifestyle that his ancestors—French-Canadian, First Nations and Scottish—had likewise lived.
“He has been known, when the mood takes him, to pick up a stove and heave it through a cook-shack wall,” the article noted. “But generally Rock’s moods are sunny and his broad shoulders are put to practical and picturesque uses as a woodsman and as a guide.”
Out camping deep in the Canadian north woods, Rock Robertson grinned through the doorway of trapper’s birchbark tepee.
Wallace Kirkland The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Robertson smoked some fish in the wild country between Hudson Bay and the St. Lawrence.
Wallace Kirkland The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Rock (right) and brother Harry arm-wrestled. After winning, Rock said, `He’s good, and I’m good.'”
Wallace Kirkland The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock
On a portage Rock packed 300 pounds.
Wallace Kirkland The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Rock’s moosecall got answering grunts from an amorous bull who came up from half a mile away.
Wallace Kirkland The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Rock carrying a moose haunch. North woodsmen preferred moose to beef or venison.
Wallace Kirkland The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock
A battered canoe leaked furiously but was still afloat, patched up with spruce gum and boughs.
Wallace Kirkland The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock
A snared partridge flapped futilely after Rock pulled it from a tree.
Wallace Kirkland The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock
The fire broiled the partridge and also dried out a pair of wet socks dangling from the box.
Wallace Kirkland The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Seeing a black bear in the water, Rock paused to determine the size of quarry and to which shore he would try to herd it.
Wallace Kirkland The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock
As the bear neared the shore, Rock raised his rifle. When the bear reached water’s edge he brought it down.
Wallace Kirkland The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Rock approached the bear warily.
Wallace Kirkland The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Bringing back the bear, Rock easily balanced the canoe on his head. Rock said he could walk for hours with this kind of load. `I sweat like hell,’ he said. `Man who don’t sweat get tired.'”
`Wallace Kirkland The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Rock Robertson with his wife and child.
Wallace Kirkland The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock
