The long road home...



Driving across the frozen Mackenzie River



December 29th, 2012

Inuvik temps: -21'C - -26'C

Terrace temps: -4'C - -6'C

Inuvik sunrise: Not applicable
Inuvik sunset: Not applicable

Terrace sunrise: :8:56 am

Terrace sunset: 4:16 pm

Looking back at our crossing over the river.

In late November, we packed up the Taco, threw the bikes on the roof, and set out from Inuvik for the 2600 km long drive to Terrace. It was between -15'C and -20'C when we departed.



The sunrise/sunset.



On the 3-day journey we crossed 2 frozen rivers (the Mackenzie and the Peel), encountered bitterly cold temperatures and saw the sun rise higher in the sky as we drove further and further South.



Nearing the Richardson Mountains.



The first night, we stayed in Dawson City, which was noticeably quieter and less populated than when we visited in mid-July. Despite plugging in the truck, after a night with -40 something temperatures, the Taco struggled to start in the morning.



Our loaded, trusty steed.



Surprisingly, as we continued further South, we encountered even colder temperatures at Pelly Crossing, where it was -47'C when we rolled through. On the positive side, it was already warmer than it had been earlier that day, where they had experienced a frosty morning of  -51'C! (BWT, despite being much further North, these types of temperatures are not common in Inuvik, for which I am eternally grateful.)



Crossing through the Richardson Mountains.





Our second night, we stayed with friends in Whitehorse, where good food, wine and games warmed up the -30'C night. (Thanks Amanda, Kaya and Gareth!) The next day we got up early, put in a good 15 hours, and arrived in Terrace safe and sound. Much thanks to the travel gods and all those who wished us safe travels!

The Great Inuvik Craft Fair

November 27th, 2012

Sunrise: 12:20 pm
Sunset: 3:02 pm

Temps: -16'C to -30'C

Just in time for Christmas, Inuvik hosted the annual craft fair this past weekend. Friday night was absolute madness, but here are some pictures from a less crowded Sunday afternoon.

Marja Van Nieuwenhuisen and her dyed and recycled wearables.

Fur mitts, and brooches; beaded slippers and cardholders

Knives and "ulus," the Inuit multipurpose knife.

My indulgence: wearable art made by an elder from Sach's Harbour.  These moose hid slippers feature beaver fur trim and amazing bead work. I love them!!

 

A Visit to the High Arctic

Boarding our plane at 9:00am in Inuvik.

November 25th, 2012

Sunrise: 12:08 pm

Sunset: 3:13 pm

Temps: -16'C to -24'C

For work this past week, I went to Paulatuk, a high Arctic community of about 300 Inuvialuit people. Here are a few pictures of the trip.

Sunrise in Paulatuk. Or was is sunset? Oh, right, it's the same thing.

Standard Paulatuk house and vehicle.

The local church.

A boat frozen into the sea ice.

Local husky pup eager to befriend me.

Baby on board! This Inuvialuit woman is "packing" her baby in the local way.
She put her winter jacket on over top and left on her "bike" (ATV).

Flying back to Inuvik, with the last rays of light fading behind the Richardson Mountains.

Chilly ski, warm cabin, hot sauna

Early, colourful sunsets every afternoon...

November 18th, 2012

Sunrise: 11:32 am

Sunset: 3:47 pm

Temps: -21'C to -27'C

The days are awfully short now, and the temperatures quite cold, but still the urge exists to go play outside. Here are some pix from a couple recent cross-country ski outings.

Temperatures are now pretty chilly, but these little birds don't seem to mind...

This little guy is having some lunch.

Setting out for a moonlit, lakeside cross-country ski.

We got to our destination pretty frosty!

The cabin was warm, the sauna was hot, and the food was yummy.

Lunchtime Sunrise

The view from the deck, with alpenglow on the Richardson Mtns.

November 2nd, 2012

Sunrise: 11:15 am

Sunset: 5:54 pm

Temps: -11'C - -20'C

Today was simply stunning. It had snowed for days, and finally we had clear skies, albeit with colder temperatures. The light was beautiful, dancing on the fresh snow and hoar frost. Here are some pictures from my walk back from lunch.

Beautiful trees a little ways up the street.

The sun cruising the horizon.

A quick peak at Boot Lake, covered in snow and skidoo tracks.

The trail towards the hospital. Lots of Arctic Hare foot prints.

A little Dr.Seuss plant covered in snow and frost.

Winter Wonderland

The view from our deck this afternoon.

October 21, 2012

Sunrise: 10:25 am

Sunset: 6:50 pm

Temps: -4'C - -12'C

The snow showed up two weeks ago. It's dry and fluffy, and accumulating already.



Icicles all around the edges of the roof.





Temperatures have been just a few degrees below freezing, but the shallower lakes are already frozen over. Skidoos are out en masse, people are out for walks, and generally the town seems to be enjoying these mild, early winter days.





Cross-country skiing with friends.



We ventured out on the cross-country ski trails this weekend. At this stage, because of all the shrubs and bumps, the trails feel more appropriate for snowshoes than skis, but it was great to pull the gear out of storage nonetheless.






We have to take advantage of the daylight that we have left. At this time of year, our days are shortening quickly, by about 1 hour per week! Sunrise is already late in the morning (10:30am), although we are lucky to still have a few hours of light after work.












Beautiful sunset this evening. Sky is clear - northern lights tonight?





In addition to the increasing darkness, another novelty that we get to experience is a sunset in a different location every night! The sun is rising less and less high in the sky every day, and its time above the horizon is getting noticeably shorter.

It's part of the Arctic experience!

Camping, Northern Style

Sunset at the Yukon/NWT border.

October 14, 2012

Sunrise: 9:57 am

Sunset: 7:20 pm

Temps: -4'C - 9'C



Our Thanksgiving weekend involved a quick trip to the NWT/Yukon border, for a canvas tent camping experience with friends. We watched a beaver along the side of the highway, got some ptarmigan for dinner and spotted the first of the winter's snow in the Richardson Mountains.



Canvas tent - a favourite amongst the locals.





A tent with a stove! Luxury.



Mounds of sleeping bags = endless toddler fun.



Beaver!



A Trip to Fort Good Hope

Early evening on the Mackenzie River.

September 30th, 2012

Sunrise: 9:06 am

Sunset: 8:19 pm

Temps: 1-4'C

I just got back from a quick work trip to Fort Good Hope. Situated over 300 km from Inuvik, upstream on the Mackenzie River, this is a little Sahtu Dene community of about 500 people.

A street in Fort Good Hope.

The Ritz. Well, not quite. But I stayed at this B+B anyways.

A gem in Good Hope: this church is about 130 years old!

Detailed woodwork, even on the door.

A very ornate inside, complete with gold stars on the ceiling.

Colourful front window.

On the flight back, where I was joined by other Inuvik-based colleagues returning from other Sahtu communities.
A veritable allied health team: PT, OT, SLP and RD!

Beautiful Fall Weather



September 30, 2012

Sunrise: 9:06 am

Sunset: 8:19 pm

Temps: 1-4'C

We have experienced some (apparently) unseasonably warm days this September. While seasonal averages this time of year are generally just hovering above freezing, we have seen many sunny days in the mid- to high-teens. This lovely weather has prompted continued walks, bike rides, and berry picking excursions, as well as another camping trip to Campbell Lake.



Natou gathering firewood with the help of the zodiac, with a view of the escarpment in the background.

Our tent, fly-less, to observe the plentiful stars at night.

Rose hips, made sweet by the first frosts.

Did I mention the weather was gorgeous?

The leaves are all but gone.

Checking out a local cabin.

A little hike to the escarpment.

Relaxing by the fire (and the bear spray).