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he Scottish traveller William John Nelson sent a letter to this editorial office. In 2015, he had
read the first number of the journal “Arctic Art and Culture” in English. Under its influence, Mr.
Nelson decided to make his dream come true: to kayak along the Canadian Mackenzie River till
T the North Pole. Now he is about to publish a book about his journey having started 20th July and
finished 5th September 2016. W. J. Nelson sent his diary fragments to this editorial office. So we are ready
to present them to our readers.
Buffering signals turn into shady images hear and feel. My mission now and it is giddy at the thought. No, there is only
and to my delight, it springs to life. “Finding mine alone. 1800 km for me to find out one way to tackle this challenge small
location” Icon kicks in next and there I am, more about me. I am under no illusion it piece by piece. Point to point and day to
a small throbbing dot on the Hay River. Ok is a mighty task ahead and if I think too Day. I have done so much research on the
I start kayaking and soon realise I was in much of the enormity of it I almost go river itself from the Ice breakup in May/
fact going the right way all along. Phew… June to the refreeze in late Oct/Nov. The
small boost for my confidence but a subtle The alternative is to weather conditions can be harsh, wind is
warning as to my inadequate preparation. a major factor. Most of the Mackenzie is
Even though I have the Mackenzie River caught out by a sudden relatively shallow and as I found out in
Guide in front of me I have been found weather front that will places will ground a kayak. The sudden
wanting. It worries me somewhat that so changes in wind strength and direction
soon I am finding out who I am not. cause you to take refuge are frightening. The Lakes, in particular
in the miles of reed Mills Lake require careful planning. You
To speak of the guide it is a fantastic need to wait on a good days weather to
reference book for any trip on the beds at the southern cross in one attempt. The alternative is
Mackenzie. A valuable book created by to caught out by a sudden weather front
Dougies daughter. It shows extracts edge of the lake. There that will cause you to take refuge in the
of relative topographic maps in scale you can spend days miles of reed beds at the southern edge
1:50000. As they are incomplete, it is of the lake. There you can spend days
recommended that you obtain additional awaiting its respite awaiting its respite. If you are too far off
maps to navigate safely. I contended to buy
additional maps for only the later stages,
which involve navigating the Mackenzie
Delta. To get lost in this area can be dire
as there is no fresh water streams between
Inuvik and Tuktoyuktok.
I continue North on this very pleasant
calm river excited to be moving, feeling
the blood flow through my veins as I
settle into a nice relaxing rhythm. In
tune with all my senses. I feel so alive; my
spirit is truly free and open to all that may
come my way. The plan is get on the river
and complete my journey. The physical
is the 1800km, start finish return to the
UK. The spirit is telling me just go with
the flow, quite literally, find yourself and
be receptive and open to all you may see, Canoe North, Hay River, NWT, Canada.
86 Arctic Art & Culture • №1 (3) • 2018 Arctic Art & Culture • №1 (3) • 2018 87
