Our Third Arctic Trip
June 24 to July 4, 2006
Our third Arctic canoe trip began when we boarded our plane in Fort Smith, Northwest Territories. There were ten of us
including our guide Alex Hall, but two of the participants. Eight of us left from the airport on the plane below which is capable of
landing on both water and air strips. The other two participants, Sam and Alan, flew in two smaller float planes from a nearby
lake in planes loaded with supplies.
including our guide Alex Hall, but two of the participants. Eight of us left from the airport on the plane below which is capable of
landing on both water and air strips. The other two participants, Sam and Alan, flew in two smaller float planes from a nearby
lake in planes loaded with supplies.
Above: Anne, Andy, Alex Hall, Jeremy, Jackie, Elston, Sean, and Alice
The total distance from Fort Smith to our
starting point was 380 miles northeast to
the Theolon reserve. At the 280 mile point
we stopped (left) to pick up five canoes left
off by the previous party.
On the way back, we only required two
airplanes. One of these planes (picture on
right) flew three canoes. One of the canoes
was smaller and placed inside a second
canoe.
starting point was 380 miles northeast to
the Theolon reserve. At the 280 mile point
we stopped (left) to pick up five canoes left
off by the previous party.
On the way back, we only required two
airplanes. One of these planes (picture on
right) flew three canoes. One of the canoes
was smaller and placed inside a second
canoe.
When we took off from Fort Smith, the ground
was covered by trees (right). As time passed, the
trees thinned out and then disappeared. We
were now above the tree line in a part of the
world too cold for trees to grow except in some
protected river valleys (below).
was covered by trees (right). As time passed, the
trees thinned out and then disappeared. We
were now above the tree line in a part of the
world too cold for trees to grow except in some
protected river valleys (below).
The three airplanes landed on the river (below) where
we unloaded our supplies and set up camp. As
requested by our guide Alex, I am not naming the river
where our trip began.
we unloaded our supplies and set up camp. As
requested by our guide Alex, I am not naming the river
where our trip began.
After we set up camp, we noticed a bird
protesting our presence. It hopped
around chirping loudly (right).
The bird flew off and pretended to be
injured (pictures below). Sean told us
that the bird's behaviour indicated that it
had a nest nearby. It was pretending to
be injured to direct our attention away
from a nearby nest.
protesting our presence. It hopped
around chirping loudly (right).
The bird flew off and pretended to be
injured (pictures below). Sean told us
that the bird's behaviour indicated that it
had a nest nearby. It was pretending to
be injured to direct our attention away
from a nearby nest.
Sean looked around and discovered a nest in the middle of
our tents. The nest was simply a hole in the rocky ground with
four eggs tucked in the hole. The eggs were approximately
the size you see in the picture at the left.
We encountered a number of these same birds and nests on
our trip and experienced the same pretend injury behaviour.
our tents. The nest was simply a hole in the rocky ground with
four eggs tucked in the hole. The eggs were approximately
the size you see in the picture at the left.
We encountered a number of these same birds and nests on
our trip and experienced the same pretend injury behaviour.
