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 "Standing amidst a migrating caribou herd, watching barrenland grizzlies play, and holding
a wolf pup in my arms are experiences I count as some of the greatest thrills of my lifetime..."
Joe Epley, Charlotte, NC
"...the highlight of my outdoor experiences of 65 years "
John Kotchian, North Haven, CT
"Your virgin wonderland... has no peer in North America"
Wini Heppler, Berkeley, CA
"... The beauty of that pristine country cannot even be imagined by those who have never been there...We will always remember our trip with you as one of the most important events in our lives."
Bob Benjamin, Minneapolis, MN
“This brings our thanks for a million dollar trip. As you know, our paddle across the Barrens with
you was rewarding far beyond our expectations.
I hoped that we might see migrating caribou, but I never dreamed that we would have the great
good fortune of watching tens of thousands of caribou streaming past us for an entire day. The
glimpses of tundra wolves chasing caribou, stalking Canada geese, foraging along the shore, and
the beautiful white wolf that inspected our camp one morning were revealing snatches of life on the
tundra. Seeing the big, honey-coloured grizzly asleep beside his muskox kill on shore was a thrilling
climax to a great trip…
Your planning of the trip that left us time to hike over the tundra along the eskers, to enjoy the
wildflowers, take photographs and explore the canyon on foot made the trip doubly enjoyable. And
of course, we all enjoyed the swift runs down those wild rivers.
We appreciated your leadership too, competent but unobtrusive and your unruffled calm…”
Sheila Thomson, Ottawa, ON
“It’s hard to single out just those aspects that stand out: the Barrens grizzly, those beautiful arctic
wolves, the char and grayling, the tundra flora and birdlife, the surge of power in the swift flowing
river, the intoxication of the rhythmic paddling, the excitement of the rapids, or the fine fellowship
of my fellow travellers. They were all there and I want to go back. I appreciated your excellent
equipment… Your leadership was a comfort. I’ve thanked you before but I want to put it in writing.
My deepest thanks for a great experience.”
Homer Bishop, Kenosha, WI
“Your equipment, food and organization of the trip were excellent and are only exceeded by your
knowledgeable abilities on all aspects of canoeing and camping in the wilderness area that we were
in. It is an experience which all of us will never forget.”
Judd Welliver, Grand Rapids, MN
“We notice that more and more we talk about what a great experience we had on the tundra. We
are beginning to understand why some of your clients come back every year… Whenever we look
at our pictures we are transported back to that marvellous land and are always somewhat amazed
that we were really there.”
Sam & Liz Febba, Dimondale, MI
“Soon that memorable trip into the vast wilds of the Northwest Territories began to seem dreamlike
– an exciting and exhilarating dream. You don’t have to be told that Bart and I enjoyed it immensely.
It was a once-in-a-lifetime adventure with many outstanding facets. If I had to choose one
aspect that appealed above all others it would be the remoteness. Our small party was
literally miles and miles and miles away from any other human being, in any direction.
What a privilege to share such unspoiled wilderness under those conditions…
Thank you for everything, my friend.”
Henry Frisbie, Longmeadow, MA
“…What he wants to share, he says, is one of the most exciting adventures of his life…in the natural,
still unspoiled beauty of a rugged wilderness where grizzly bears, caribou, wolves and muskoxen
thrive and where eagles, falcons and arctic terns soar above cold, clear rivers that run roughshod and
thick with fish through canyons, rolling hills and flatlands… He marvels at the varied and abundant
animal life. Lasting memories include a white wolf sleeping on a sand beach in the sun only a few feet
away, a grizzly bear emerging from the river, herds of muskoxen pacing and snorting like mad bulls,
wolves killing and carrying away Canada geese, watching a wolf howling at its den, the abundant
moose and caribou, a bald eagle ambushing a goose, young peregrines and gyrfalcons at their cliffside
nests, and herring gulls attacking young swans which dive beneath the water to escape…
The canoe party travels through a land carpeted with wildflowers, from purplish-blue lupine sometimes
so thick its sweet fragrance fills the air, to mountain avens, delicate and daisy-like… By trip’s
end he’s saddened to have to leave it all behind. In his journal he muses: ‘Will there ever be days to
match this combination of achievement, fellowship, beauty and unfolding visual delights?”
from a newspaper interview with Chuck Trabold, Syracuse, NY
“Alex, we are still riding such a wave of euphoria over that trip. We really do not have words to
adequately thank you. When someone has a long-standing dream such as we did and then the dream
becomes reality, there is always the danger that it might turn out to be less than anticipated. But
not so. It was everything and more than we could ever have imagined…We will never forget the
glorious times of paddling, my birthday wolf, the scent of the blue lupines, the portages, the mosquitoes,
the never ending daylight, the big muskox herd, the amusing ground squirrels, the canyons
and waterfalls, the peregrines and gyrfalcons, all those comical, moulting Canada geese, the thrill
of paddling by that grizzly, the stone weapon making sites of the primitive peoples, flying over the
tundra, Bert’s big fish, the sand hills, the fellowship and fun we had with everyone, the profusion of
wildflowers, the remains of the old Inuit encampments and so much more. It was all wonderful and
thanks to you it will always be a cherished memory…”
Grace & Bert Seeholzer, Fort Edward, NY
“It was a wondrous journey…a remarkably gorgeous, unique and clean wilderness and we did
find it awesome at times. The silence there is beautiful. We miss it. We are still suffering terrible
withdrawal pangs. Your care, handling and tolerance of us was special.”
Louise & Gus Williams & family, South Newfane, VT
“Alex, we compliment you on running a truly memorable trip. It was a rare treat for us to get to
know you and the others in the party and a pleasure to travel with someone who really ‘leaves only
footprints and takes only pictures.’ One day we’ll be back.”
Gordon & Karen Clarke, Simsbury, CT
“My mind and soul are still somewhere on the Barrens. Sitting along the river or eyeing across
the tundra have been truly deep experiences that have intensely nourished me spiritually. Your trips
allow others to truly experience parts of Canada not normally experienced…You must have a deep
love for that country to be able to carry on with your business year after year and still be able to
share your own excitement with your clients. However, not only do you have the skills to carry on
such a business with a superb safety record, you also provided the right glue through your competent
leadership to weld eight, strong-willed people into a cohesive group…”
John Dormaar, Lethbridge, AB
“Thank you for a beautiful trip. The silence, the vastness and the solitude all replenished a part of
me that at times seems to get neglected.”
Jean Waterman, Portland, OR
“Thank you, my friend, for showing me the central Barrens…The word freedom comes to mind
above all – those big skies and rolling landscapes.”
Monte Hummel, Tottenham, ON
“I arose the next morning before six to return to the wolf den and sit alone for fifteen minutes,
making cub sounds I’d learned from a cassette tape. I was about to give up and go looking for the
red-throated loons that were calling, when a fuzzy black and brown cub emerged from the bushes.
He cocked his head from side to side, put his tail between his legs, jumped sideways and barked.
I didn’t move a muscle. Two siblings emerged behind him, equally curious. Judging me harmless,
they bumbled about in the morning sun before disappearing into the den. I danced all the way back
to camp.”
from a magazine article by Isabel Meisler, Pittsburgh, PA
 “…all those muskoxen, the numerous wolves, the pictures of the wolf pups, the three grizzlies on
the beach, all the bird life! Unbelievable! What memories!”
Bill Brudereck Shoemakersville, PA
“We both feel it was a privilege to have made the trip with you and the others… We thank you
for your insight, experience, intuition and incredible organizing. At times I wondered if you had
not tired of our endless exclaiming about the beauty of the wildlife and their places. Every day contained
so many unforgettable moments…”
Margot & George Thompson, Portland, OR
“Thanks a million for the great trip! I could name highlights but really the main thing was being
there in that great country, travelling by canoe in a small party and being all by ourselves. I appreciated
all your planning and preparation that made it possible, and all your hard work during the trip
to keep it smooth…”
Bob Bune, Seattle, WA
“…It was a thrill and the adventure of a lifetime. As I made up the photo album I found each
picture evoked a memory – the tundra, the eskers, the muskox herds, the arctic hares and ground
squirrels, the peregrine falcons, the caribou, my wolverine, our campsites, portages and the clear
waters of sparkling crystal lights…Since my return back home I have felt and envisioned the vistas
of the land we travelled through, the softness of the air, the blustery wind, the scent
of foot-crushed Labrador tea and the utter immensity, tranquility and harmony of the
whole land.
“Alex, you lead an amazing trip. Everything was just right. We would love to return
some day.”
Ann Kingston, North Vancouver, BC
“…It was the high point of my wilderness experience and one, I am sure, that will never be
equalled. The country, the wildlife, and as important, the people on the trip were all a superb experience…”
Tom McGuire, Fontana, KS
“We loved the trip…and can’t wait to go again. The whole experience was better than we hoped
for and we hoped for a lot… The wildflowers were amazing at times and the country was awesome.
What we shall always remember was your enthusiasm for each and every animal, large and small,
and your amazing knowledge of the country and where wolves in particular are to be found. Your
confidence made us totally unafraid of close encounters, and we were thrilled to get so close to such
beautiful wild creatures.
We will always carry with us the sight and sound of the elegant white wolf that we roused from
her den, who literally stared at me from fifteen feet away before she bolted for the sand dunes. We
recall how she followed us for a very long time as we paddled downriver, etched against the sky
atop a long esker, howling all the way –– our personal escort out of her country. Magical! And so
were those very close encounters with the muskoxen.
Enclosed find some pictures, including some great skies…and the best shots I got of wolves,
muskoxen, moose, caribou, grizzlies and gyrfalcon chicks… We are thinking of you and the great
country. It is in our bones and we miss it. Wow!”
Fred & Joyce Sparling, Moncure, NC
“…The trip was one of the highlights of my life. Nothing compares to it. This is the sort of thing
that continues to grow on you, bringing ever increasing satisfaction and a sense of fulfillment long
after the trip has ended. The trip may be over but the adventure lives on…”
Merlyn Duerksen, Covina, CA
“…Thank you for the many happy memories…When people ask us about our trip we have so
much to tell them – but I always say: ‘We worked hard but we were never afraid,’ and that’s because
of you and the care and planning you put into the trip. You’ve helped broaden our vision of our own
country and we really appreciate that…”
Jean Hershey & John Keast, Bruce Mines, ON
“I have very fond memories of the trip. Watching and hearing the wolves and seeing four grizzlies
were some of the highlights for me. But I was also captivated by the stark and beautiful landscape…”
Sylvia Vogt, Brighton, MI
“I wanted to thank you again for a fantastic experience. I enjoyed every
minute of it…I was very impressed with how well you planned the trip
and I thoroughly enjoyed the good companionship in our group…I was
deeply impressed by the rich wildlife, the innumerable birds, the herds of
muskoxen and caribou and, of course, the wolves. Holding a wolf pup in
my arms was a truly unique experience. This will be something to tell my
children and grandchildren about…”
Hans Wiedemar, Bern, Switzerland
“Thank you very much for a once in a lifetime trip and all the extra work you put into it. I defi-
nitely want to go back again…Caribou every day, the wolves and the Northern Lights were all incredible
sights. The whole trip was exciting from beginning to end.”
Bill Joyce, Stamford, CT
“I am deeply appreciative of the way you ran and organized the experience. It was a hell of a fine
go and I thank you…It was wonderful for me to get an ever so small glimpse of your world…I really
appreciated all that you tried to impart and your quiet joy of the surroundings we passed through.”
Frank Boyden, Otis, OR
“I want to thank you for a great trip. Your organizational and planning skills gave me great confi-
dence in the success and safety of the trip…Great memories! I hope to do it again some day.”
Bill McIlroy, Valencia, PA
“…Hilary and I had one of the greatest journeys of our lives with you. Those two rivers in the
Barrens have become places I return to again and again in my thoughts…”
Ken de Kok, Sydenham, ON
“I had a fabulous time. It was more than I had hoped for…It’s hard to pick out one thing that
stands out, but seeing the muskoxen and being able to get so close to them is something I think
about often…Standing alone knee deep in the Thelon catching grayling all afternoon that day near
the end of the trip provided me with the best fishing of my life.”
Rocky Montgomery, Newmarket, ON
“…It was a great delight being out in that magnificent place. Seeing all the caribou, muskoxen
and wolves was a bonus. Even if none of these had been present, I would have been satisfied just
to have been on that grand, remote river, to have walked that seemingly endless tundra and to have
watched those ever-changing skies.”
Ben James, Union, WV
“We can’t tell you how much the trip meant to us…Thank you for a wonderful, wonderful trip.”
Bill & Nancy Willis, Newtown, CT
“…the scenic splendour and bountiful wildlife have made a permanent impression on us…”
Linsey Freeman, Richmond CA
“Last summer was extraordinary. You live in a magnificent part of the
world…”
Neal Powers, San Franciso, CA
“The country was overwhelming in its variety and enormity.”
Susanne Wise, La Ronge, SK
“The country was majestic, breathtaking…”
Chris Sanger, Los Angeles, CA
“…many thanks for all the happy memories and for a great bunch of companions. The memories
linger on.”
Morrey Cross, Ottawa, ON
“I fully intend to return to that blessed wilderness of such sublime beauty.”
Lee Martin, Montreal, QC
“…What a joy to behold nature untampered, unfettered in the glory of its own naturalness…”
Carole Hazelwood, Irvine, CA
“The trip was the high point of my life…Every time I think of me holding that wolf puppy I get
this big grin on my face.”
Sam Febba, Dimondale, MI
“The beauty of that pristine country cannot even be imagined by those who have never been
there…We will always remember our trip with you as one of the important events in our lives.”
Bob Benjamin, Minneapolis, MN
“…I live in my memories – what a great time…”
Kim McCluskey, Ely, MN
“…other trips will pale by comparison.”
Christina Benson, Toronto, ON
“…the most beautiful place in the world.”
Cliff Lush, Lake Havasu City, AZ
“…the greatest adventure of my life.”
Martin Weeks, Vermillion, SD
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