BARREN LANDS CANOE TRIP
THAIDENE NENE NP, NWT

Aug. 26th

The day started early, Alex was at the motel by seven to pick up baggage being left behind and then to take us to the airport. Since we had our truck, it was easy for us...put our traveling clothes in the camper and follow them to the airport. Once there, the vehicles were parked inside the fence and the gear was loaded onto the planes.

It was an overcast day, so we flew at a relatively low altitude for the first half of the trip. While this is not the preferred way, it did give us the opportunity to see much more of the ground while flying. One group saw a heard of muskoxen. The flight took two plus hours and we were at our campsite before noon.

Once on the ground, the planes were unloaded and refueled. Then with a tip of the wings, they were soon on their way back to Ft. Smith. We then fully realized that the nine of us were on our own (with the very able leadership of Alex) a few hundred miles from civilization.

It was then time to get camp and the tents setup and the canoes rigged for use. They had been dropped of here at the end of Alex's previous trip.

And then "the talk". Two of many reasons we enjoy going on Canoe Arctic trips is the thoroughness and the attention to safety exhibited by Alex. "The talk" is a good example of this. He pulls this small old tattered notepad from his pocket and periodically thumbs through his hand written notes to be sure he has covered everything he wants. One of the first things emphasized is that all decisions are based on the following priorities in this order: 1) Safety, 2) Safety of the equipment (without this you cannot be safe), 3) The environment, and 4) Enjoy the trip and land.

While setting up camp, we learned that Alex not only had extra poles for tents, but also extra tents. He also carried a few days extra food as well as paddles and other gear. Punctuality is important (breakfast is at 8:05) because it affects everyone. Camp cleanliness, care of crew gear and potential dangers that could be encountered were discussed. A relatively unknown but potentially dangerious item is dried wolf scat...it contains a parasite that can be fatal.

It was then time to relax, hike as we wished and dinner at 7:00. A great start to the trip.

Go to Summary page, Aug. 26, Aug. 27, Aug. 28, Aug. 29, Aug. 30, Aug. 31, Sept. 1, Sept. 2, Sept. 3, Sept. 4, Sept. 5

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The day started early, Alex was at the motel by seven to pick up baggage being left behind and then to take us to the airport. Since we had our truck, it was easy for us...put our traveling clothes in the camper and follow them to the airport. Once there, the vehicles were parked inside the fence and the gear was loaded onto the planes.
It was an overcast day, so we flew at a relatively low altitude for the first half of the trip. While this is not the preferred way, it did give us the opportunity to see much more of the ground while flying. One group saw a heard of muskoxen. The flight took two plus hours and we were at our campsite before noon. Once on the ground, the planes were unloaded and refueled. Then with a tip of the wings, they were soon on their way back to Ft. Smith. We then fully realized that the nine of us were on our own (with the very able leadership of Alex) a few hundred miles from civilization.
It was then time to get camp and the tents setup and the canoes rigged for use. They had been dropped of here at the end of Alex's previous trip. And then "the talk". Two of many reasons we enjoy going on Canoe Arctic trips is the thoroughness and the attention to safety exhibited by Alex. "The talk" is a good example of this. He pulls this small old tattered notepad from his pocket and periodically thumbs through his hand written notes to be sure he has covered everything he wants. One of the first things emphasized is that all decisions are based on the following priorities in this order: 1) Safety, 2) Safety of the equipment (without this you cannot be safe), 3) The environment, and 4) Enjoy the trip and land. While setting up camp, we learned that Alex not only had extra poles for tents, but also extra tents. He also carried a few days extra food as well as paddles and other gear. Punctuality is important (breakfast is at 8:05) because it affects everyone. Camp cleanliness, care of crew gear and potential dangers that could be encountered were discussed. A relatively unknown but potentially dangerious item is dried wolf scat...it contains a parasite that can be fatal. It was then time to relax, hike as we wished and dinner at 7:00. A great start to the trip.

BARREN LANDS CANOE TRIPTHAIDENE NENE NP, NWT

Aug. 26th

BARREN LANDS CANOE TRIP
THAIDENE NENE NP, NWT