In This Issue... The Common Raven - Corvus corax North Pole - Nunavut Celebration DHC 3 Otter - A Classic Design That Won't Quit The Beaver- Castor Canadensis Millennium Plans and More The Taku River Past Newsletters... Current - Spring 2006 Winter 2006 Fall 2005 Spring 2005 Winter 2005 Fall 2004 Spring 2004 Spring 2003 Fall 2002 Summer 2002 Spring 2002 Winter 2002 Spring 2001 Winter 2001 Fall 2000 Winter 2000 Spring 1999 Fall 1998 Fall 1997 Archived Articles

Greetings from the snowy Yukon...
where moose out number human residents!

I hope the new year is treating you well. We are enjoying a great northern winter. I am especially enthused that some of you have taken me up on the offer to visit the Yukon on a dog sled (in the "lap of luxury" mind you).Final reports confirm that it does belong on the "must do" list.

The world is "buzzing" with talk of the next millennium. To date we have avoided attaching our holiday expeditions to this "milepost in time". Currently I am grateful for this as the biggest issue seems to be if the next milenium begins in 2000 or '01. At this point it seems that many of you are not waiting for the year 2000 or '01 to embark on your next "dream vacation" as the trip bookings are coming in steadily! At our end we are already busy preparing the details for the upcoming expeditions and ensuring that everything will be in place for another exciting season. I guess we will wait until we get this season of adventure under our belts before pondering the next millennium.

Perhaps even more dramatic than the change of the calendar is the division of our continent into two new territories. In 1993 the Nunavut Act was signed allowing for the division of the Northwest Territories and the creation of Nunavut. This "landmark event" takes place in April of 1999 and I plan to fly to the North Pole with six participants and another guide to mark this monumental event. It is not very often in one's lifetime that you can mark the formation of a new State or Territory and what could be more appropriate than visiting the people and experiencing the culture and indigenous activities while being one of the few to set foot on the North Pole? You can read more about this inside.

Coppermine River

Photo Credit: Terry Parker

Did you follow up on my internet article in the last letter and check on the "where about's" of the Porcupine Caribou Herd? No doubt they are enjoying the unprecedented attention via the radio collars! Hopefully they will "show off" for us this summer.

Who would have thought? ...I didn't get into this business to attend big functions but I have found increasing demand to speak at conferences and gatherings. Perhaps it should be no surprise considering we have gathered a large number of dramatic images and stories over the years and it seems to be a big hit as a motivational presentation. If you know of a group that is looking for a speaker you can direct them to our web site or directly to me.

I hope you enjoy the remainder of the winter season and please feel free to contact me if we can be of assistance in planning a northern adventure this year.

Sincerely,

Neil Hartling
outfitter and guide