FORT SIMPSON - Only a little worse for wear, five Fort Simpson Rangers have returned from a successful winter training exercise.

The Rangers including Cpl. Lynn Wharton, Master Cpl. Mike Byland Jr, Sgt. Bob Amundson, Ranger Rozsika Cazon and Ranger Steven Lenoir recently spent six days on the land as part of their annual training exercise.

Building a lean-to for shelter was one of the activities Fort Simpson Rangers Steven Lenoir, left, Cpl. Lynn Wharton and Sgt. Bob Amundson did during their winter exercise. - photo courtesy of Cpl. Lynn Wharton

"It was one of the better exercises I've been on," said Wharton.

Training started in the relative warmth of the recreation center on Jan. 30 where Rangers did prep work for their trip, learned the theory behind setting up a defensive bunker made from wood and snow and discussed the upcoming Operation Narwhale.

Although the training happens yearly, this exercise was different because the group spent longer on the land. A decision made by officials in Yellowknife extended the usual three or four days to six.

"It's nice to get out for longer," said Wharton.

A longer outdoor exercise makes packing more important. You have to think carefully about survival to be ready for six days, she said.

The Rangers set up their base camp near Jackfish Lake after travelling to the site on the old winter road. A big part of the training is setting up camp so people can stay warm, well fed and hydrated, said Wharton.

"It was a lot of hard work because there was so few of us," she said.

Some cold temperatures made it hard to stay warm, said Wharton.

While on the land the Rangers built a defensive bunker consisting of two walls made from logs approximately two feet apart. The space between the walls was filled with alternating layers of snow and water.

Other tasks included building a lean-to and practicing marksmanship with a 9mm handgun and a machine gun.

Ranger Steven Lenoir won the 100-meter shooting competition with the .303 rifles. This was Lenoir's third winter exercise and the first time he'd won the competition.

Lenoir said he learned a lot during the exercise including better marksmanship skills.

"This was the best one so far," he said.

The group also tried ice fishing, but only came as close as a nibble on Byland Jr.'s line.

With the winter exercise behind them the Rangers are looking forward to the possibility of a summer exercise, said Master Cpl. Wharton. Together with Sgt. Veevaete they will also be looking at ways to gather new recruits.