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adularia and I checked in with the RCMP. They provide a wilderness travel registration system that serves the same purpose as filing a flight plan does in general aviation. (In fact, we heard several people call it just that.) At every community along the way you check in with the local RCMP office so they know you're still safe. If you go too long without checking in, they'll send out a search party. It's a good system, if inconsistently managed.
Filling out the initial forms in Hay River was our first encounter with the RCMP. I had no idea what to expect -- they serve as the equivalent of county sheriff, state patrol and the FBI. It turned out to be one of those few times that reality lives gloriously up to its best stereotypes. Every constable we dealt with was cheerful, friendly, helpful, and seemed genuinely concerned for our safety. There were several times (fighting steep waves, watching the tent blow away down the beach) that it was a great comfort to know that, if worst came to worst, the RCMP would eventually come looking for us. And Constable Christopher Worden was the first face we associated with that.
He was shot and killed on Saturday. It's so very little in comparison, but he will be remembered.
adularia and I checked in with the RCMP. They provide a wilderness travel registration system that serves the same purpose as filing a flight plan does in general aviation. (In fact, we heard several people call it just that.) At every community along the way you check in with the local RCMP office so they know you're still safe. If you go too long without checking in, they'll send out a search party. It's a good system, if inconsistently managed.Filling out the initial forms in Hay River was our first encounter with the RCMP. I had no idea what to expect -- they serve as the equivalent of county sheriff, state patrol and the FBI. It turned out to be one of those few times that reality lives gloriously up to its best stereotypes. Every constable we dealt with was cheerful, friendly, helpful, and seemed genuinely concerned for our safety. There were several times (fighting steep waves, watching the tent blow away down the beach) that it was a great comfort to know that, if worst came to worst, the RCMP would eventually come looking for us. And Constable Christopher Worden was the first face we associated with that.
He was shot and killed on Saturday. It's so very little in comparison, but he will be remembered.