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A Ranger river adventure

Fort Simpson corps tackles the Mackenzie by boat



Ranger Paul Guyot gets ready to moor the boat upon returning to Fort Simpson from Fort Good Hope Sunday. In the background is Ranger Denise Alger. - Derek Neary/NNSL photo



Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (Aug 17/01) - Looking forward to soft mattresses and warm showers, nine members of the Fort Simpson Rangers returned Sunday from a five-day trip to Fort Good Hope via the Mackenzie River.

Travelling in three boats with outboard motors, the Rangers seized the opportunity to hone their map-reading skills as well as their river and bush skills. They had some obvious success with the latter, bringing back moose meat after a successful hunt on Saturday.

Sgt. Jim Villeneuve said the sovereignty patrol was the first by boat for his troops.

"It's just generally being able to travel down the river in an organized manner," he said, adding that fortunately, there were no mechanical difficulties, no one cut themselves and no one fell overboard.

The Rangers encountered some rainy and windy weather along the way. They had to brave the elements as they stopped in Wrigley and Tulita for gasoline, camping along the riverside at night.

Ranger Paul Guyot said, "The highlight of the trip, I think, was the ramparts."

The steep cliffs mark the gateway to Fort Good Hope, becoming the dominant feature several kilometres before travellers arrive in the community. The Sans Sault rapids, which are navigable by channel markers, were also memorable, Guyot said.

Fellow Ranger Mike Byland Sr. added that the friendly and helpful people they met in each of the communities made an impression on him.

"It was a good experience," he said.