This is a one month extract from Gary's diary...
1st February
2004
3rd February 2004
4th February 2004
5th February 2004
6th February 2004
7th February 2004
8th February 2004
9th
February 2004
10th February 2004
11th February 2004
12th February 2004
13th February 2004
14th February 2004
15th February 2004
16th February 2004
17th February 2004
18th February 2004
19th February 2004
20th February 2004
21st February 2004
22nd February 2004
24th February 2004
25th February 2004
28th February 2004
2nd March 2004
3rd March 2004
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| Diary Extract - 2004 |
9th February
Ran with Pingo in the morning dark. During the 56 days of 24-hour
summer here, locals hunt and fish the river with canoe and small
aluminium hulled motorboats, but not today. We headed along
the river and ran over the ice. The soles on my trainers quickly
stiffened in the cold. My pace quickened and I soon settled
into a steady plod. Pingo, in his gorgeous thick white coat,
just ambled along, oblivious.
Between the three communities of Aklavik, Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk
snow is cleared to create an ice road on the Mackenzie River.
Right now the ice road will support vehicles weighing up to
40,000kg. In November, before the ice road is officially opened
the dare is on to see which community drives it first. These
early vehicles usually have no driver's cab roof or at least
the doors are missing, just in case a fast exit is required.
I begin preparing gear in and around my cabin. I'll head upstream
within a few days. I took the dogs out for a run. Journeys alone
dictate every task is mine to do and I never take my gloves
off to do anything outside of my tent. I'm very specific about
using the best gloves available. Outdoor
Designs' baselayer LayerOn and midlayer Krakatua mitt and
glove versions, worn under shells, have already proved outstanding
this week for warmth and dexterity.
Pingo and I run again this evening for another hour. Ravens
follow us with their 'gluk, gluk' call. These birds amaze me.
What on earth do they survive on?
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photographs copyright © Gary Rolfe