Fort Smith (Feb 02/04) - A team of Canadian soldiers plans to snowmobile to Fort Smith and Fort Chipewyan next month.

The trip will begin in Fort McKay, Alta., roughly 300 km south of Fort Smith.

It is being called "Exercise Kiwetinohk isi nipa wistam," a Cree term meaning "Northern challenge."

Master Corporal Mike Rude of the Canadian Forces Recruiting Centre in Edmonton said the trip is for recruiting and public relations purposes for the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI).

"It's to make the public more aware of the PPCLI," he said.

The trip will include between seven and nine soldiers, some of whom served in Afghanistan as peacekeepers.

Rude said the plan is to snowmobile all the way to Fort Smith and back to Fort McKay, if they can get approval to use snowmobiles in Wood Buffalo National Park.

If that isn't allowed, the team -- and its seven snowmobiles and two SUVs -- will drive through the park.

The team will set up displays and talk to interested community groups in Fort Chipewyan on Jan. 9 and in Fort Smith on Jan. 11.

They will talk about career opportunities in the Canadian Armed Forces, their own experiences as soldiers and the military's capabilities.

"We would be coming with an assortment of weapons," Rude said, noting the display will include machine guns, a sniper's rifle, a standard service rifle and an 84-mm anti-tank weapon (commonly referred to as a bazooka).

Fort Smith Mayor Peter Martselos said he is happy to see the Canadian Forces plan such a trip to Fort Smith.