Kevin Wilson
Northern News Services

Resolute, Cornwallis Island (Apr 19/02) - While the land was less than co-operative, the Magnetic North Pole was more than obliging.

The troops of Operation Kigliqaqvik Ranger reached the "edge of the known world" early Wednesday morning, capping off a near-flawless trip from Resolute northwest to the Magnetic North Pole, north of Bathurst Island.

The 28 Rangers from across all three territories made their final push across the sea ice before being stopped by open water.

"They left terra firma and struck out on the ice," said Col. Kevin McLeod, Canadian Forces Northern Area commanding officer.

McLeod was preparing to meet the troops Thursday morning after flying into Resolute one day earlier. "They've performed extremely well," McLeod said.

"From all accounts, they've used their skills and their abilities to get along in a very fabulous manner."

The Rangers were hindered by a "lead", a crack in the sea ice hundreds of kilometres long and more than a kilometre wide.

After obtaining a Global Positioning Satellite reading of 78' 47" N, 103' 31" W, the patrol returned to their last camp on Cape Isachsen to await McLeod's arrival.

At approximately 11:30 a.m., Environment Canada notified the patrol they had indeed reached Mag North.

The location of the pole fluctuates daily, courtesy of changes in the Earth's magnetic field.

"Environment Canada said they were well within the limit," said McLeod.

Qigliqaqvik Ranger's two-fold purpose is to assert Canadian sovereignty in the High Arctic, and to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Rangers.

The patrol set out from the hamlet of 250 people on snowmachines. Each machine towed 1,000 kilograms of supplies on qamutiks. Several snowmachines were damaged en route to the pole, but the troop's familiarity with the machines kept the mission on target.

"Some of these rangers are the best mechanics in the world," said McLeod.

He added that troops were in high spirits as they prepared to make the arduous 850-kilometre trek back to Resolute.