Inuvik (Aug 01/03) - Eight students of Briarcrest Bible College in Caronport, Sask. said they began their journey North about 60 days ago.

Inuvik youth got a chance to try out a climbing wall last weekend at Chief Jim Koe Park. - Terry Halifax/NNSL photo

Curtis Pauls said they have been making good time and the kids along the way have really enjoyed trying out the wall.

"We put in at Fort Providence and we've stopped in at each one of the communities along the way for two or three days at a time," he said. "It's sort of an outreach and giving something back to the community."

At each stop along the way, the communities have been very supportive in spreading the word about the travelling troupe.

"The kids are usually out in throngs," Pauls said.

The kids are harnessed in and held safe by ropes and pulleys anchored to one of the students on the ground with a safety rope.

The 18-foot climbing wall was built by a student at the school's outdoor adventure program, who builds the walls as a sideline.

"They designed this wall specially for taking on a canoe trip," Pauls said.

"Each piece is about 12 feet long," he said. "The braces in the front and the back also break in half."

The students have 18-long Swift Yukon canoes to transport themselves and the wall.

"The climbing wall breaks down to just barely fit inside those boats," he said. "we have two other boats we use to carry all our gear in."

The wall itself weighs about 800 pounds.

"We're not riding too high in the water," he said. "Anytime it gets rough, we're pretty much heading for shore."

The weather has been agreeable so far, if not a bit too hot, but they have had a nice breeze along the river.

Paul says they have plenty of energy left to make it to their last leg -- the Arctic Ocean.

"We made it this far, so I think we can make it all the way," Pauls said. "I can't wait to get to Tuk!"