Inuvik (Aug 04/06) - An adventure spanning two summers, Jamie Bastedo has successfully travelled the whole NWT portion of the Trans Canada Trail.

Bastedo, a writer from Yellowknife who prides himself on his paddling skills, said he has a strong love for nature.

Jamie Bastedo

"The Mackenzie River is a great experience for any paddler looking for a natural high," said Bastedo.

Bastedo agreed to write a guide for the Territories' portion of the trail last year, but first asked where the trail started and finished.

"I was told that the traditional way of travel ... was all done in the water, so paddling was the way to go," he said.

His trip started in Fort Smith last summer, where he paddled the Slave River to the southern Great Slave Lake region.

Once Bastedo made the journey to Fort Providence, he stopped for the year.

"I met a lot of people on the way last year and spent lots of time talking with the local elders about travelling a long time ago," he said.

After spending the winter months writing about his experience in the southern regions, Bastedo prepared for the final leg of his trek - Fort Providence to Tuktoyaktuk.

The trip was hard work, but it was worth it when he got to the coast of the Beaufort Sea.

"The pot of gold at the end of the trip was a stay at Whitefish station," said Bastedo.

The station, which serves as an Inuvialuit whaling camp in the summer months, was occupied by Inuvik whalers when Bastedo arrived.

"High waves kept me there, and it was great. They just caught a beluga whale, so I got to take all that in, too," he said.

"I was welcomed with strong coffee, fresh bannock and a lot of good stories about whaling in the region," said Bastedo. He said the best part of the whole journey was meeting people in the different communities.

"I think of the river as a necklace and the communities are the pearls that are strung throughout," he said.

While in Inuvik, Bastedo was welcomed with a community barbecue, where he was able to share his experience with an interested group of people.