Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Jun 22/01) - Living in the wilderness on either side of the road from Yellowknife to Tibbitt Lake has always involved a bit more work and self-sufficiency than most townsfolk realize.
But living in the wilderness at Prelude Lake has meant a lot more work than usual for six families this year.
High water levels have turned a 60-metre section of access road to their homes into part of the lake bottom.
"We call it the triathlon," joked resident Joanne Chubb of the trip to town. "We have to hike, canoe then drive."
Residents have been doing the triathlon for the last month.
Tensions were highest during the few days last month when a wounded black bear that killed a camper was wandering the woods. Three of the affected families have children.
Resident Deidre Falck said at that time RCMP had advised her to carry a rifle during her one kilometre hike from her home to the washout.
Though that threat ended when the bear was killed, Falck said the washout still adds another 30-40 minutes to the trip to town.
"It's a hassle when we need to bring groceries home and it's a hassle with the kids because of the bugs," said Chubb, mother of a 10-month-old daughter.
The families are looking to the government for help.
Joe Handley lives on the road, though on the Ingraham Trail side of the flooded section.
"He's our MLA and we've gone to him and we've asked about what could be done, but he's between a rock and a hard place, because he lives down here," said Falck.
While the potential conflict-of-interest inhibits Handley's political involvement, he has hauled a few visitors' vehicles out of the flooded section and offered his truck to the stranded families to use as a ferry.
Help may soon be on the way.
"The Ingraham Trail Landholders Association has approached the department for some assistance," confirmed Masood Hassan, director of territorial transportation planning. "At the moment we're evaluating that request."
A department policy provides for grants of up to $50,000 for local community access road improvements.
A decision is expected "shortly."
Meanwhile, with the whine of bug season reaching full pitch, the triathlons continue.
