Yellowknife (Dec 31/03) - It might be a first: computer problems delaying an Arctic dogsled trip.

But, that is the reason that the Arctic Transect 2004 Team was still sitting in their hotel rooms on Dec. 30 instead of beginning their seven-month trek from Yellowknife to Pangnirtung.

The first start date for the immense journey was Mon., Dec. 29. The expedition is supposed to begin this morning at 9:30 a.m.

The trip is intended to raise awareness on climate change.

According to Hugh Dale-Harris, the only Canadian on the six-member team, they were up all night on Monday trying to get their Web page, www.polarhusky.com, updated.

"The education side needs another day," Dale-Harris explained.

Technology and education have been a priority for the adventurers.

Will Steger, expedition leader and world renowned American adventurist, said he would have liked to train more for the trip, but he is confident the team is prepared.

The team is using GPS to navigate and also are bringing along satellite phones and a laptop to help send along their data. They are bringing maps and compasses as backup in case their mechanical equipment freezes.

Dale-Harris said the 32 dogs have been run quite a bit, but admits they plan to take the first leg of the journey slowly.

That first leg is probably also one of the most difficult.

Once crossing Great Slave Lake to Lutsel K'e from Yellowknife, the team will make their way to Baker Lake, approximately 700 kilometres away.

That distance will take in tough terrain, high winds and temperatures dipping below -40 C.

There are also no communities in between. Sunlight will drop to fewer than four hours a day at the darkest part of their trip.

Dale-Harris said they will take it slow to Baker Lake, trying to build a rhythm with the team and the dogs along the way.

Luckily many of the team members have Arctic experience, Steger said.

Dale-Harris might be the most equipped in Arctic knowledge. The Thunder Bay, Ont., resident used to teach in Iglulik.

The other four men and one woman are from the U.S. and Europe.

Their movements will be tracked, according to Steger, by three million students worldwide by using live Web page updates and video conferencing to follow the progress and learn about the effects of climate change on Northern Canada.

As well, he said he hopes to bring knowledge of Nunavut and Canada's Inuit to the rest of the world.

Steger said it will help to show that on-line education is an important tool.

That will directly benefit people like team member Mille Porsild, from Denmark. She runs an organization called NOMADS Adventure and Education Inc. The company focuses on online education focusing on the Arctic.

Steger ultimately hopes the findings will help to influence American policy on the environment.

"The direction my country is taking with the environment, we have absolutely no leadership whatsoever," he said.