Whitney & Smith E-newsletter - February, 2009

A recent survey to our guests asking what sets Whitney & Smith apart from other outfitters consistently stated our trips are the most educational and fun, the food incredible, and the guides a notch above the others in terms of conveying their great knowledge and passion of the area. Our attention to detail and ability to look after the group instills a sense of safety which contributes to allowing guests to relax and fully enjoy the experience. We are greatly honored to live up to our guests expectations, which is proudly reflected in our high guest return rate.

The current change in the economy can be good for us. It insists that we care how we live and that we align ourselves with our priorities. Wilderness journeys can transport you to the most peaceful place. We invite you to join us to revive your inner spirit with a rare adventure in Canada's untamed wilderness. Here you will find incredible quiet, enjoy spectacular landscapes, laugh with delight seeing fantastic wildlife and relax by the crackle of the fire while engaging in inspiring conversation with new found friends. Here’s what’s on tap for the summer.

Introduce your friends to Whitney & Smith, and with their booking, everyone receives a Marmot Dryclime Jacket!

One part of our journey took us into a fiord that likely had never been paddled by modern man. Because the ice had not formed to its usual thickness the previous winter, and because wind conditions were favorable for us, the ice plug that usually choked this particular fiord broke up before our arrival. This gave us the special opportunity to explore the coastline and to hike inland on tundra and encounter musk ox that perhaps had never seen people before....Brian Keating, Director of Conservation Outreach, Calgary Zoo, Paddling Ellesmere

Upcoming Expeditions

Baffin Ice Edge

Experience Canada's frozen north this spring base camping on the pack ice in full view of Bylot Island and Sirmilik National Park. Here, in one of nature’s most amazing landscapes, we enjoy a dramatic landscape of icebergs frozen in place back dropped by mountain cliffs, experience a breathtaking sea bird colony and hope to observe polar bears and sea mammals at the ice edge. Rated easy, this classic Arctic adventure is an unparalleled opportunity not to be missed.

Islands at the Edge - Paddling the Queen Charlotte Islands

Come discover why National Geographic Traveler rated Gwaii Haanas National Park # 1. Perched on the very edge of the continental shelf, the Queen Charlotte Islands are home to the Haida whose spirit permeates everywhere in the magnificent rain forest. Our trips in May and early June are scheduled to coincide with the migration of humpback and grey whales, over a million nesting sea birds and usually fantastic weather. One week and Two week departures. Contact us if you prefer summer dates. Rated moderately demanding.

Banks Island

Paddle the world's most northerly navigable Thomsen River north to the Arctic Ocean in Aulavik National Park on Banks Island. This nontechnical river teems with Arctic char and trout and is home to the world's largest population of Muskoxen. Considered a naturalists’ paradise, muskoxen, tundra-nesting birds, Arctic fox and possibly Arctic wolves grace this lush landscape of ground-hugging alpine flowers, sedges and grasses. Rated one of our easier trips, Dave Quinn returns for his 11th season guiding this trip.

Hiking on Ellesmere in July

Ellesmere Island is world class. We offer two Ellesmere backpacking trips: the Ellesmere Traverse which crosses Ellesmere from the west coast to the east and the Top of the World hike, hiking from Lake Hazen to Tanquary Fiord less than 1000 km from the geographic north pole. Both trips run through an extraordinary mountain wilderness and offer outstanding vistas of great glaciers contrasted against scattered herds of muskoxen and carpets of flowers.

Hiking Baffin Island at the Arctic Circle

Hike Auyuittuq National Park, the "land that never melts" July 21 to August 5. Home to the highest peaks of the Canadian Shield, with ten peaks rising over 2000 meters, Auyuittuq offers some of the world’s most spectacular mountain scenery which includes the sheer granite walls of Mt. Asgard and Mt. Thor towering above the valley floor .

Ellesmere Island Kayaking

Ellesmere Island offers some of the world’s most pristine wilderness, with only a handful of scientists and their research camps scattered across the island and a solitary Inuit village. Our sea kayak expeditions in late July and August are based 1300 km from the geographic north pole. The setting is of high peaks and headlands, plunging tidewater glaciers, intricately sculpted icebergs, and abundant wildlife. One of the big themes for these expeditions is Arctic prehistory, and evidence of Paleo and NeoEskimo habitation and culture is to be found everywhere. Brian Keating, Director of Conservation Outreach, Calgary Zoo joins the Whitney & Smith guiding team on the August 5-20 sea kayaking departure.

Greenland Sea Kayaking

Come join us in August on our expedition to NW Greenland where we go back a thousand years in time and travel amongst the Arctic's last stronghold of truly traditional people, the Polar Inuit. Described in National Geographic January 2006, here is a culture where many of the ancient practices—hunting with harpoons, wearing skin clothing and traveling by dogsled have survived despite modernizing influences. This trip offers a window on a bygone way of life, a glimpse into a hunting culture a thousand years old. The scenery is beyond belief—a dramatic landscape of icebergs, back dropped by mountain cliffs that rim the massive bulk of the inland ice cap.

Baffin - Land of the Narwhal sea kayaking

Based out of Pond Inlet, Baffin Island, this expedition takes place in August near one of Canada's newest national parks, Sirmilik National Park 'The Land of Many Glaciers'. We will travel in the land of the narwhal migrating to Koluctoo Bay in view of the spectacular cliffs of Bylot Island. Along the way we will spend time observing and photographing coupled with the fabulous learning experience as we see first hand of survival of the marine wildlife.

Paddle Land of our Ancestors - Thaydene Nene National Park, East Arm, Great Slave Lake

A paddler’s paradise in the Canadian shield country, this gentle trip paddles through the islands of the Taiga, past beautiful fall colours, migratory birds and on clear nights, the possibility of amazing northern lights. Rated one of our easier paddling trips, Henry Basil, a local Dene from Lutsel'Ke joins the Whitney & Smith guiding team on this trip.

Contact Us for more information.

This was my first commercial trip I have taken and I was a little hesitant-worried that it was going to be for casual strollers out for a walk in the park!! I was very happy to find that it was truly a backpacking expedition and much of it off route. This trip exceeded my expectations, with the guides rating excellent for knowledge of the area, personal attention and food preparation and unbelievable for enthusiasm.".....Ray Robertson, Saskatchewan.