Erin Fletcher
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Apr 12/04) - Sunny days, balmy -8C temperatures and few soggy spots made for a great trip to Old Crow for 23 Fort McPherson and Inuvik residents late last month.

The annual Johnny D. Charlie Memorial Snowmobile Trip, named after the late chief of Fort McPherson, was started in 1999.

Charlie, who was from Old Crow originally, would follow the traditional dog team trails every spring between Fort McPherson and Old Crow. Since his death in 1998, his family has carried on the tradition hoping knowledge of the old trails, campsites and hunting grounds will be passed on to the next generation.

"It makes such a big difference with the kids when they're out on the land," said Liz Wright, one of Charlie's daughters who lives in Fort McPherson.

"Dad wanted us to (take the trip) when he was alive. He wanted to show us the old dog team trails, but we didn't go. He died trying to keep it going," said Annie Smith, another daughter of Charlie who now resides in Inuvik.

"It went really, really good. It was the best trip I've ever done in six years," said Smith, who has taken the trip every year since her father died.

"I think I go to get rid of the year's stress. When I return, I'm refreshed and ready to start another year," she said.

This year 23 people and 14 snowmobiles made the six-day trip to Old Crow and back. They left Fort McPherson on March 23 and returned on March 29. Smith and Wright were happy to report there were no mishaps along the way.

"No one got stuck and I didn't fall off the snowmobile once," said Smith, who has had a few falls before because of the steep terrain.

Even the wildlife co-operated.

"We saw a moose. We were coming around a corner on the Bell River and startled it. It started running and ran with us for a good two kilometres," said Wright.

So many people have expressed interest in taking the trip, that the sisters have decided to set next year's date six months in advance so people can take time off work.

Smith also favours going in March instead of February, because there's more daylight hours.