Fort Simpson (July 11/03) - Nearly three thousand kilometres by boat.

That's the return trip from Fort Providence to Inuvik that four Canadian Rangers from Yellowknife are making on the Mackenzie River.

Expecting to arrive in the Beaufort-Delta today (Thursday), the Yellowknife Rangers are being accompanied by members of various community patrols each leg of their journey. The Fort Providence patrol served as their first escort when the voyageurs departed on July 4. They made camp at the mouth of Trout River that night, battling swarms of black flies and mosquitoes.

The two boats pulled into Fort Simpson early the following afternoon having seen a bear and an eagle along the way.

Ranger Daryl Gargan, of Fort Providence, said he was eager to volunteer for this mission.

"This is my first time to Simpson (by river)," said Gargan, who has five years experience with the Northern militia. "I hadn't passed Axe Point so I decided I might as well go for it."

For the Rangers, this is an unprecedented trip on the water. They accomplished a similar feat three years ago when they covered the same route on snowmobiles during the winter.

Sgt. Jim Martin, of Yellowknife, said the summer exercise is meant to ensure that each Ranger patrol is familiar with the waterways within 300 kilometres of its home community.

The Simpson troops were tasked with travelling to Tulita with their Yellowknife counterparts.

When the Yellowknife contingent makes its way south again and reaches Fort Simpson, the Simpson Rangers will then act as chaperons to Fort Providence.

Fort Simpson Ranger Carl Gaule was also keen to be part of the adventure.

"I love camping and I've never been to Tulita before," Gaule said prior to departing on Saturday. "I love being on the river."