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Summer visitor numbers up in Nahanni
Day trips double from 2010; centennial celebrations and premiers' visit creditedNathalie Heiberg-Harrison Northern News Services Published Thursday, October 6, 2011
A reported 415 people visited the park for the day, compared to 235 in the summer of 2010. The number of overnight visitors rose as well to 560 from 543. "It was a very successful summer," said Nina Squires, visitor experience manager with the park. In July, 15 Deh Cho students participated in the eco-cultural celebrations camp, earning high school credit in an outdoor classroom. On Aboriginal Day, Western Canada's seven premiers, plus an entourage of approximately 35, took a "flightseeing" tour of the park. In addition, it was the first year an expanded and updated interpretive program took place. Parks Canada's nine interpreters on staff led visitors on tours, educating them on the natural, cultural and traditional history of the land. Ted Grant, owner of Simpson Air, said his day tours increased, although he credits better marketing, an improved Liard Highway and warm weather. The charter operator also experienced fewer delays because of fog and bad weather. Grant estimates only six flights were significantly delayed. Wolverine Air, which also operates in the park, had a pretty standard summer, according to Luke McLeod, a pilot with the company. "The summer was good for Wolverine Air," he said. "It was definitely consistent and constant." Compared to the 10-year average, overnight visits to the Nahanni National Park Reserve were on par and day trip visits significantly increased; there are 580 overnight visitors and 318 day trip visitors on average. Most come from Canada, according to Squires, but they often have visitors from Germany, Austria and South Korea, too. The most popular activities for overnight visitors are river trips, hiking in the Ram Plateau and rock climbing the Cirque of the Unclimbables. The Virginia Falls continue to be the biggest attraction for day trip visitors.
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