Finally, Ted and I got onto Great Bear Lake. Now our expedition is officially underway. We used the extra time we spent waiting in Tulita and Delene to soak in all of the local advice we could.

If there was one question I heard from the experienced people we talked to, it’s this: “What are you doing for heat?” People were a worried when we told them we were just using a mountaineering tent and a couple down sleeping bags. So, we took the advice of the locals and bought a canvas tent off a guy in Delene named David and picked up a Coleman stove, too.

I suppose I should have been more acquainted with the style of winter camping in this region. It’s much different than the winter camping I have done. It’s like dogsledding—but with a snowmobile. There are no portages, no mountain climbs, and no long backpacking. Just cold, wind, and long stretches of snow-covered country. You can bring an extra ax, a heavy-duty bucksaw, or, even better, a chainsaw. I soon realized that the canvas tent and stove is well worth the extra weight.

In the late afternoon, after traveling about 30 miles on Great Bear, Ted and I stopped for the day. Had we continued, we wouldn't have reached the spot where we could safely set up camp until after dark. And even though the weather was good, the last place you want to get caught in a storm is the middle of massive Great Bear.

The snow is very deep—up to my waist in places. When we tried to tow our heavy toboggans on shore we got stuck quickly and had a tough time lugging them to camp. We made trails around camp, packing the snow down for our tent. Ted and I each got stuck a couple times and were getting frustrated—especially because we hadn’t eaten for a while. Eventually, though, we got our new tent set up and got the stove working. Immediately we realized how much warmer it was than our other tent when we climbed in and rested on our down mats and musk ox hide. There is warmth and lots of space for our gear—far better than climbing into a frigid dome tent to hide in our sleeping bags.

It felt good to lay down, and we’ll need the rest.

Tomorrow, we fish for lake trout.

Comments (12)

from Emilie Baird De... wrote 2 years 11 weeks ago

Wow! Ted looks so small among all that gear! And I would never have imagined that the houses would be 2 stories tall and brick there. Is that right in Deline, or even further out? Good luck on the trip, guys!

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from Brian W. Thair wrote 2 years 11 weeks ago

This is not a TV Show. This is frozen wanker-weather. Won't be long before your buck saw is redundant. Can you spell "tree-line?" You have the locally recommended gear, the rest, I hope, is memorable.

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from Heather McGeorge wrote 2 years 11 weeks ago

I'm glad they got that canvas tent! You're right Emilie, Ted does look small amongst all that gear. Hope all goes great for them out there!

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from whitefish wrote 2 years 11 weeks ago

the north pole and south pole were discovered on skis,, why do need a snowmobile ?

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from TerryEdgar wrote 2 years 11 weeks ago

Everything sounds great so far gentlemen. Looking forward to hearing more, and seeing a few pictures of the monster trout you are hoping to pull out of Great Bear! Stay safe, and keep the posts coming! Cheers...

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from Greenhead wrote 2 years 11 weeks ago

Great adventure, safe travels, and keep us updated!

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from William Wilkinson wrote 2 years 11 weeks ago

Amazing Guys! We will miss you @ the turkey hunt.
Your bush buddies wish you a safe journey!
Cheers!

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from Jstill wrote 2 years 10 weeks ago

Wow! My buddy wasn't lying, this is an amazing trek! Always wanted to do something like this but will instead live vicariously through you! Look forward to hearing more!

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from Ahorto wrote 2 years 10 weeks ago

Looks awesome! I've always wanted to check out the extreme north. But, until I can find the time, this will do. I'll be following. Have fun guys.

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from Caroscuro wrote 2 years 10 weeks ago

Jim - this is a really amazing trek. We've never been Field & Stream readers before, but we've been following your blog. My husband now wants to follow in your footsteps!

The blog navigation is a bit confusing, though.

Best of luck!

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from fishng fan wrote 2 years 10 weeks ago

what a great adventure Jim

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from JG wrote 2 years 10 weeks ago

Very interesting journey. My sons have talked about taking on a challenging trip but this is something else. The photography is amazing. Will check in often.

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from TerryEdgar wrote 2 years 11 weeks ago

Everything sounds great so far gentlemen. Looking forward to hearing more, and seeing a few pictures of the monster trout you are hoping to pull out of Great Bear! Stay safe, and keep the posts coming! Cheers...

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Emilie Baird De... wrote 2 years 11 weeks ago

Wow! Ted looks so small among all that gear! And I would never have imagined that the houses would be 2 stories tall and brick there. Is that right in Deline, or even further out? Good luck on the trip, guys!

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from Heather McGeorge wrote 2 years 11 weeks ago

I'm glad they got that canvas tent! You're right Emilie, Ted does look small amongst all that gear. Hope all goes great for them out there!

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from Greenhead wrote 2 years 11 weeks ago

Great adventure, safe travels, and keep us updated!

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from William Wilkinson wrote 2 years 11 weeks ago

Amazing Guys! We will miss you @ the turkey hunt.
Your bush buddies wish you a safe journey!
Cheers!

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Jstill wrote 2 years 10 weeks ago

Wow! My buddy wasn't lying, this is an amazing trek! Always wanted to do something like this but will instead live vicariously through you! Look forward to hearing more!

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Ahorto wrote 2 years 10 weeks ago

Looks awesome! I've always wanted to check out the extreme north. But, until I can find the time, this will do. I'll be following. Have fun guys.

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from Caroscuro wrote 2 years 10 weeks ago

Jim - this is a really amazing trek. We've never been Field & Stream readers before, but we've been following your blog. My husband now wants to follow in your footsteps!

The blog navigation is a bit confusing, though.

Best of luck!

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from fishng fan wrote 2 years 10 weeks ago

what a great adventure Jim

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from JG wrote 2 years 10 weeks ago

Very interesting journey. My sons have talked about taking on a challenging trip but this is something else. The photography is amazing. Will check in often.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Brian W. Thair wrote 2 years 11 weeks ago

This is not a TV Show. This is frozen wanker-weather. Won't be long before your buck saw is redundant. Can you spell "tree-line?" You have the locally recommended gear, the rest, I hope, is memorable.

-1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from whitefish wrote 2 years 11 weeks ago

the north pole and south pole were discovered on skis,, why do need a snowmobile ?

-3 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

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All submitted comments are subject to the rules set forth in our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.