Dave Sullivan
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (Aug 03/01) - There's no summer like it if you're a cadet.

Three Fort Simpson army cadets were tired but still sporting smiles as they exited a plane July 27.

They had spent the previous two weeks giving up the comforts of home, and then some.

After an orientation in Pangnirtung their adventure began with a 30-kilometre hike. It was no Contiki tour -- they had to haul provisions in backpacks half their body weight.

"I was really scared," said 15-year-old Courtney Squirrell of the gruelling eight-hour trek. It took them over top a 2,000-foot peak.

In the end though, Courtney and the others found the entire experience enriching and stimulating.

The expedition was a new initiative of the Canadian Forces Northern Area. The Fort Simpson trio joined 28 others from the NWT, Yukon and Nunavut communities like Cambridge Bay, Hay River and Iglulik.

"It was definitely challenging," said Savannah Norwegian.

Carl Gaule, the most senior Fort Simpson cadet, speaks of a "hardcore experience" and in the next breath describes teamwork that helped others make it through.

"Some of us went back and helped others," he said, by taking some weight off their backs.

While living in the field the entire two weeks, cadets learned mountain climbing and rescue techniques, and did some repelling. That means using ropes to drop down rock faces.

Gaule said the instructors were top-notch.

Savannah's proud mother Brenda Deneyoua was not worried too much about her daughter. She took comfort from a previous spring training trip to Edmonton which helped the cadets prepare.