Canadian modern-explorer George Nagel has traveled throughout the Arctic with some of the best operators out there - including remote destinations like sea-kayaking off Devon & Ellsmere Islands; rafting in the Yukon & hiking in Greenland. So we are quite proud of the fact that George has chosen us as his favorite wilderness destination - and it must be so, since he has come north with us ten times over the past 16 years, having just completed his most recent with several weeks of 'Dance with Caribou' in September 2009 - during which he celebrated his 84th birthday! When we mentioned the number of trips to George he was quite surprised himself, and thus wrote his commentary below...

"Just a short note to thank you again for three wonderful weeks out on the barrenlands - I had a good time again. Talking about a good time, it was mentioned that this was my ninth trip with Great Canadian Wilderness Adventures, with my 10th trip booked for 2009! It sort of surprised me, maybe six or seven but not ten!"

"They wondered what was the main attraction to bring me back so many times, which at the spur of the moment wasn't hard to answer: I simply like the place, but couldn't be specific. Since I've be home now for over a month, my thoughts come back to this nine times, and how come?"

"As you know I have taken 2 to 3 weeks each trip up north including the High Arctic, from northern Yukon in the west and as far east as Qaanuuk on Greenland, and North as high as Alexander Fiord on Ellesmere Island."

"I've been doing this for over 20 years."

"I had to check this out - why I had come back North with you so many times - and frankly not try to just pass this off with a simple answer. I checked it out and IT IS nine times, from 1992 the first time till present!

The question remains now, is 'just how come?"

"For me it's the land. Geographically it's called "barrens" for me it's not- I just spent three weeks photographing it's color, the beauty of the reds and yellows blending in with the browns and green."

"The land is romantic, herds of caribou in their annual migration trying to raise their young in a struggle for survival... "

"The same for bird life, feeding their young on an abundance of insects and tender sprouts, the flight (and sounds) of the long migration."

"It's a land of history, the numerous stone cairns of direction and location of people in the long past. Old cabins in ruin, long ago abandoned; and gravesites of native people in the not so distant past.

Some cabins, more recently abandoned, still with household goods of the 1930's by hunters in the quest of riches in the fur trade, all in an violent environment. It's been home to many people."

"And, it's the night life--yes--of the borealis, stars and moon displays..."

"after an evening signing off with ever changing and different sunsets."

"All this spread over a land that shows its own signs in a struggle for survival. The signs of the last ice age are ever present."

Click to enlarge photo

"I'm sure that the many guests are as grateful as I am that your company has made this all possible. Guests, I may add, from all walks of life, means and possession, and corners of the world. Interesting and informative, they are an experience in itself. Your company has provided the infrastructure and means that makes it all possible. Aside from the physical structures, rustic as some might say..."

"The amenities are good - and even excellent, especially your library for evenings and days when the weather is uncooperative - unfortunately there are some - and they come with the package. For all this to come together as it has, requires not only leadership it requires commitment, passion and love for this land, and its future."

"Tom, as you know there quite a bit of flying involved, and not everyone likes flying especially in small planes. May I say that, of all the many pilots I've flown with, you are one of the very few who can land on an unknown and unnamed lake, and dock on shore and not get your feet wet! This certainly is a testimony to much experience, care, and safety practices. Again you serve us well."

"Thanks again for a job well done. Keep exploring---bring on the adventure!"

- George Nagel
Saskatchewan, Canada

PS: Before I get too carried away, I'm going to fax a copy of this rendition to NWT tourism. You are serving your industry well, and have been doing so over a long period of time. In these day's where everybody is looking for tourism dollars, I would like to covey and share with them my many thanks and appreciation to your commitment: you are a true ambassador for the Territories. They too, are beneficiaries."

Click below to learn more about the specifc trips on which George Nagel participated:

- 'Dance with Wolves' / 'Dance with Caribou' / 'Wolves & the Great Summer Caribou Migration'
'Clarke-Thelon River Expedition' / 'Search for the Legendary White Musk-ox'

Dr. Ella Trussell