A Good Arctic Guide is Ready for Anything
Celebrated author Maya Angelou once wrote that a person will forget what you did and what you said, but they’ll always remember how you made them feel.
That’s something the guides at Peterson’s Point Lake Lodge take to heart. The remote lodge, located in the Barrenlands of Canada’s Northwest Territories, offers unrivaled tundra and wildlife photography opportunities, as well as trophy fishing and magnificent fall Aurora displays. The dedication of the family-owned and operated guides are also legendary.
Here, Terry Lende shares a story about how two guides noticed she had a problem and then immediately went to work to remedy it. No questions asked.
It is the end of a perfect day in the Barrenlands—or is it?
We’ve just returned to our cabins at Peterson’s Point Lake Lodge after an awe-inspiring day of photography at Esker Bay. Autumn in the Arctic Barrens is a photographer’s dream. Waves of bronze, crimson, and gold leaves compete with the delicate filigree of lichen and moss underfoot. And if the weather gods cooperate, the nights are filled with the magical dance of the Aurora. Photographic opportunities abound.
Time to start downloading some of the many hundreds of images I’ve taken, but something is wrong. I put my hand up to my ear: somehow, somewhere, I’ve lost one of my hearing devices. My cabin mates and I do a thorough search of the area, but to no avail. Even the ‘Find my hearing aid’ app on my phone comes up blank. My device must be somewhere back at Esker Bay. Outside, rain is turning to snow. Esker Bay is an hour away by boat. I resign myself to a costly loss.
At that moment, John, one of our guides, arrives to check our heater. One look at my face and he knows something is wrong. I quickly learn that guides in this remote and rugged landscape are a talented lot.
1. Guides have an eye for detail.
“Hmmm,” says John. “You took your hat off twice at Esker Bay: once on top of the ridge and, the other time, at the outpost. It’s probably at one of those two places. We can find it. When we’re close, we’ll use your phone app to zone in on it.”
I don’t hold up much hope. “It’s small,” I say. “It’s the same colour of the sand on the ridge. The battery won’t last until morning and how can you possibly know I took my hat off twice?”
2. Guides are intrepid.
‘Who said anything about tomorrow morning? Chuck and I will head out now and be back by supper time.’
I reply: “It’s snowing. Not the time to take a boat trip.”
3. Guides love a challenge.
“Not to worry. This will be fun!” And off they go—by boat, in a snowstorm—to try to find my hearing aid before the battery dies and the phone app becomes useless. Hours later, they return empty handed. My phone app shows they had been close to it, but not close enough. It was a long shot anyway. I am grateful that they tried.
4. Guides have a sense of humour.
A short while later, we sit down for dinner. I thank John and Chuck for going above and beyond. Chuck tells me how they scoured the terrain, starting at the outpost, then slowly making their way up the sandy ridge. They are sorry, but just couldn’t find it.
Then he stands up and pulls out a mass of survey tape. “Wait, what is that thing?”
5. Guides can read people.
Yes. In fact, after considerable effort, they did manage to find my hearing aid. The device, now attached to a ribbon of orange survey tape, is presented to me with great fanfare. I have a few choice words for them, before giving each of them a sincere hug. “Once we found it, we turned the app off and thought it would be fun to surprise you. We figured you had a sense of humour, at least we hoped you did.” Luckily, they read that one right!
6. Guides are just darned good.
Thank you to the guides of Peterson’s Point Lodge for an experience I will never forget!
Terry Lende,
Satisfied NWT visitor
Check out the great experiences that Peterson Point Lake Lodge have to offer here.
Related Stories
Intriguing tales from Canada's Northwest Territories
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
With us, you will find a unique Northern fishing experience with no distractions. Our amenities include Starlink Wi-Fi, standard queen-sized......
Arctic Adventure & Wildlife viewing on the edge of the tree line of Canada’s Northwest Territories. Lynx Lake 400 km......
DISCOVER A MOMENT THAT LASTS A LIFETIME. Aylmer Lake Lodge is located in Rocknest Bay, which is on the Barren......
Book an adventure with us at Trail Blazer Tours for an unforgettable experience! Your adventure with us will create lasting......
With over 30 years of living in Yellowknife, we offer a variety of tourism experiences for our guests. We are......
Our goal is to provide unique customized services for high-end customers. We excel at making personalized tours. You can see......
Book this entire cabin in the remote wilderness of the stunningly breath-taking, Mackenzie Mountains. This cabin is hands down the......
Raven Tours is a tour operator in Yellowknife, NT, Canada. We offer Aurora Viewing, Snowshoeing, and Hiking Tours. We hope to......
Red Cliff Adventures has a traditional camp that is located in Lutsel K’e, on the shores of the East Arm,......
If you are looking for an Aurora Experience of a lifetime in Yellowknife – the best place in the world to......
Join us for an unforgettable experience on the mighty Mackenzie River. Day trips are available for a full or half......
Our professional tour guides will take you on amazing Aurora viewing tours, city tours, ice road tours and much more.......
For a Great Northern Experience! Yellowknife Outdoor Adventures offers a variety of day trips ranging from 2 to 10 hours......
Comfortable lodge a 20 minute by floatplane ride from Yellowknife. Guided fishing for Lake Trout (to 34 lb), Arctic Grayling (to......
World class dogsled tours! We are one of the largest professional sled dog kennels in Canada. Over 150 happy, healthy......
Enodah Wilderness Travel / Trout Rock Lodge offer high-quality Aurora viewing experiences by night and dogsled tours by day. Trout......
Remote private wilderness paradise on Little Doctor Lake, 100 km west of Fort Simpson. Accommodates 20 in cabins. Fishing, swimming,......
The all new Namushka Lodge! Come enjoy all the new amenities of a fly-in fishing lodge! Located on Harding Lake, 32......
We are the Łı́ı́dlı̨́ı̨́ Kų́ę́ got’ine. People of the community of Łı́ı́dlı̨́ı̨́ Kų́ę́, “the place where rivers come together”, in......
Authentic Arctic Experiences Tundra North Tours is an Inuit company based in Inuvik, Northwest Territories that was established with the dream of being......
Aurora Village – A Class of Its Own Aurora Village is a unique Aurora-viewing facility situated 25 minutes from downtown......
We offer winter clothing rentals. Our winter clothing will keep you warm and comfortable for your outdoor fun – ask us......
Your Dene Connection in Yellowknife. B. Dene Adventures is a Traditional Dene Culture Camp business which teaches the Dene way......
Northern and Remote Wilderness Adventures Ltd. (NARWAL) is a small, friendly, majority Aboriginal owned and operated family business. Our reputation......
We offer tours such as aurora viewing, dog sledding, snowmobile rides, ice fishing and more. Come experience a once in......
Join us for a fishing trip of a lifetime in the barrenlands of Northern Canada. Experience some of the world’s......
Join us on an Aurora hunting adventure. Our skilled tour guides know all the best places around Yellowknife to capture......
Arctic Tours Canada is a Yellowknife based tour operating company that offer Aurora Hunting and Viewing tours, Yellowknife sightseeing tours,......
We operate a fully equipped luxury coach and offer City Tours, Aurora Tours and tours to the Nahanni National Park Reserve......
Come experience world-class Aurora Borealis viewing in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. We are the only guides in the Northwest Territories......
Yellow Dog Lodge is a comfortable lodge with 3 private cabins for our guests. The lodge is a short (15 minute) floatplane ride from Yellowknife. Located on Duncan and Graham Lakes, the lodge is your hub for adventure. Choose from an additional 5 lakes for guided day trip excursions. Each lake is unique and offers unspoiled first class fishing. We are the only lodge that operates guided trips on each of these remote lakes located in the NWT taiga wilderness. Packaged trips feature superb sport fishing and safe outdoor adventure. The lakes and streams offer the finest Lake Trout, Northern Pike, Walleye and Arctic Grayling in the region. As an added bonus, our guests will enjoy the midnight sun and may even catch the northern lights later in the fall or early spring....
Tukto Lodge has been exceeding anglers’ expectations for more than fifty years. As the only fishing and eco-tourism lodge in......
Outfitting to all of us is a way of life, one that we cherish because we love to hunt, love the......
Exceptional fishing on Gordon Lake, 100 km northeast of Yellowknife. Fish for Lake Trout, up to to 56 lbs! Fly in by......
One of the finest Pike and Lake Trout waters in North America, on the 60th Parallel. Enjoy luxurious private cabins......
“Like No Other Place On Earth” We are the only fly-in lodge located a 50 minute float plane flight from......
100% Indigenous owned! We are the world’s first Aurora Hunting tour company, we know Aurora. Learn about Aurora, why Yellowknife is the......
Peterson’s Point Lake Lodge provides you access to known waters teeming with monster lake trout. Their current record is a......
Great Bear Lake Lodge is located on the Dease Arm of Great Bear Lake and is home to the biggest......
We are an Inuvialuit owned and operated family business, run by locals Enoch and Amanda Pokiak, based in Inuvik in the Western......
If are looking for a spectacular weekend retreat nestled in the serenity of the Mackenzie Mountains at Ten Stone Mountain Lodge. North-Wright......
Pehdzeh Ki First Nation is located in the community of Wrigley, Northwest Territories, Canada. We are a Designated Authority in......
Fly-in fishing lodge located 150 air miles (240 kms) south of Yellowknife. Full American Plan or unguided....
Boat tours in the wildlife-rich Slave River delta and fishing at Taltson Big Pike Lodge....
Best Northern Road Trip! Now you can drive all the way to the Arctic ocean linking Canada from coast to......
Northstar Resort is a remote fishing lodge located on Thekulthili Lake, 95 miles (152 km) northeast of Fort Smith. Operates from......
Nestled in the Nahanni Range of the Mackenzie Mountains on Cli Lake, is the North Nahanni Naturalist Lodge. It is......
For 35 years, Sambaa K’e has offered world-class fishing on Trout Lake just north of the Northwest Territories-British Columbia border.......
Yellowknife Online produces Yellowknife specific articles and content for visitors, residents, and newcomers. Yellowknife Online has recently transferred that knowledge......
Welcoming and friendly with a rustic charm and all modern conveniences, Grey Goose Lodge immediately catches your eye as you......
Aurora photography tours for groups of 25 or less, available in English, Mandarin and Cantonese. Our tours offer specialized knowledge......
Warburton Bay has a magic of its own. Located on the southwest end of Mackay Lake, it is close to......
Fishing and Barrenlands wildlife photography, including migrating caribou, at the Obstruction Rapids in the central Barrenlands north of Yellowknife....
To truly experience the Northwest Territories, take your camping gear for a highway driving adventure! Long ribbons of road without......
Remote naturalist’s lodge snuggled in the Mackenzie Mountains, in the largest mountain wilderness in North America. Located along the Canol......
Fish for Trophy Lake Trout and Arctic Grayling at our all-inclusive lodge located in East Arm, Great Slave Lake. Fly......
Specializing in polar bear and muskox hunts for up to four people from traditional camp near Tuktoyaktuk. Also providing scenic......
Join us on a subarctic adventure! Spend five nights viewing the Northern Lights, enjoying outdoor activities, and experiencing the culture......
An Arctic Barrenlands trophy fishing adventure for the serious sportsman. Located on Lynx Lake (420 km east of Yellowknife) Lynx......
Call us about our exciting year-round packages and experience the best of the Dehcho region and Denendeh....
Providing culturally based tours of Tuktoyaktuk with an opportunity to dip your toes in the Arctic Ocean! Ask us about......
We run a small all-inclusive lodge that can handle ten people at a time. From this lodge we organize hunting......
Family owned and operated tour company specializing in Arctic expedition cruising....
Outstanding fly-in fishing for northern pike and lake trout. Approximately 75 minutes NE of Fort Smith on Thekulthili Lakes....