Jeff Turner / Cinematographer
River Road Films Ltd. (2004)
Princeton. BC, Canada

"When I left Yellowknife to fly out to the Camp Tom Faess pulled me aside, and said: "Annett, I guarantee you that when you return from your adventure you will not be the same person" Tom was right. I returned to civilization forever changed; I will never forget the magnificent Arctic wilderness or the extraordinary people of the Northwest Territories. Tracking the ever-elusive magical white wolf days on end was a cathartic experience.  As I hiked and crawled on my belly through endless sand eskers and tundra, I went through an emotional roller-coaster ride of gloom, insecurity, quiet wonder and immense joy. I had a beautiful and memorable time at Fort Reliance and was honored to be a guest at the Dene' annual spiritual gathering and to be a part of the celebration of the Dene' culture, their heritage and their spirituality. During the six weeks at the Camp at Whitefish Lake, I met some remarkable people from all walks of life. The leader of Ecoventures, the legendary Tundra Tom, the pilot Brad Connell and the guides Andrew McPherson, Lloyd Comber, Allicia Kelly and Larry Bliss all share a passion and love for the land and for their work. They pushed me to the limit, and inspired me to overcome my self-doubts, thus opening my eyes to the wonders of the awesome "Barrenlands". They taught me to see, hear, smell and listen again. A final thanks goes to Jake, Tom's beautiful dog, and to the Alfa-male whose presence made my dream come true.  Thank you all for providing such beautiful memories.."

Annett Wolf/ Author (2004)
The Wolf Foundation
Copenhagen, Denmark

George Archibald / Co-Founder
International Crane Foundation
Baraboo, WI  (2004)

"I wanted to allow time for my experiences at Whitefish Lake to sink in before I tried to write about them.  The surface stuff, of course, is easy:  a beautiful, enigmatic landscape with animals that appear and disappear as though passing to and from another time or dimension; history everywhere you walk and guides that explain it so that it adds yet another facet to the experience; snow flurries, northern lights, wolf paw prints the size of my hand (not palm, HAND), and musk ox bulls butting heads in a scene that would have looked much the same thousands of years ago.  What is more difficult to express are what the land, its plants and animals, and its history created in my heart and imagination. For example, as I looked into a snow-speckled sky, watching skein after skein of geese race southward, I thought about how lonely this land must become when winter settles in and wondered what the trappers who stayed here in the bitterest of seasons must have felt as they heard the voices of the departing flocks.  To live on this land must have taken great courage and a humble willingness to submit to its rhythms and vagaries. Indeed, many of those who lived here made nearly unbelievable sacrifices to remain - not for any riches they could take from the land but for what the land gave to their spirits. After only two weeks, I began to understand what drove them to such lengths and I, too, know that I must return.  Thank you, Tom, for the immense effort you put into preserving this unique place and for sharing the gifts it holds for all who are willing to open their minds and spirits.  With love and friendship,"

 Becky Grambo / Author (2004)
Saskatoon, SK, Canada

Bill Mullins / Photographer
Boise,  Idaho (2004)

"To be among the arctic wolves in true wilderness has always been a dream of mine. So when I heard about this trip called Dances with Wolves - I thought this could be my chance. I had never been to the Northwest Territories before and even though I read the literature and brochures from Tundra Tom I still was not sure what this trip would entail or what the Thelon and Barren lands would bring forth. Yet somehow I sensed, even before I left Denver, that a special encounter with one of these magnificent creatures would take place before my two-week visit to the Thelon would end. Late Tuesday afternoon on July 2, 2002 the sun was still high in the cloudless blue sky. As I sat alone on the esker hillside where I could watch the wolves in the den area several hundred yards away, the wind shifted and coming from behind me it carried the human scent down the hillside. Immediately the large alpha male looked up the hill towards me. He moved swiftly across the sand and disappeared into the trees. Traveling up the backside of ridge he reappeared within minutes above me and to my right. Looking at him through my camera and telephoto lens was a sight to behold. His head, face and shoulders filled the entire image as he peeked over the top of the ridge searching for my exact hereabouts. He seemed to sense I meant no harm or danger to him so he descended the small ridge, crossed over in front of me and headed for the shade of the esker pine trees that were below me and to my left. There in the shade sat this great white wolf, intelligent, inquisitive and extremely social. No fences, no enclosures, no platforms, no blinds, no vehicles--just the beauty of this wilderness and the two of us enjoying each others company as any two friends would do. Finally the wolf got up and started crossing yet another ridge. There he paused and looked back at me one more time before disappearing over the backside. Today my photographs stand as testament to what was for me a true spiritual experience. The Thelon is true wilderness--vast and remote with its own unique beauty and mystique. While nature and true wilderness can be unforgiving to the creatures who struggle to survive there, whether arctic wolves, foxes, musk ox, caribou, song birds, water birds, birds of prey, moose or bear, we on the other hand can visit this beautiful country with all the comforts of home--good meals, hot showers, warm and comfortable shelter, and a superb staff of people who are there 24 hours a day to serve you and to make sure your trip is the best you have ever experienced. And for those occasional days marked by sporadic rain and wind, Tundra Tom's Whitefish base camp library is the ideal place to go to stay warm and dry while learning more about the history and natural beauty of this land. Memories of the Thelon and the Barren lands along with all the wild creatures who live there are not soon forgotten. This is a world you want to see and experience for yourself. I hope to return in the late summer and fall of next year to photograph the caribou, the Musk Ox and with a little bit of luck, the arctic wolves--all with the fall colors and the northern lights."

Eric Peterson / Photographer
Engelwood, CO (2002, 2004)

 "We are on the fringe of the great North and its living whiteness, its loneliness and replenishment, its resignation, and release, its call and answers -- its cleansing rhythms. It seems that the top of the continent is a source of spiritual flow that will ever shed clarity into the growing race of America, and we Canadians being closest to this source seem destined to produce an art somewhat different from our Southern fellows -- an art more spacious, of a greater living quiet, perhaps of a more certain conviction of eternal values."

Lawren Harris, 1926, Canadian painter & member of the Group of Seven

"What has the two weeks in the North meant to me? First of all, I feel profoundly blessed. Maybe what Lawren Harris, the great Canadian Group of Seven impressionist painter, said three-quarters of a century ago still holds true today. I would like to believe that my photographs do convey a sense of place "more spacious of a greater living quiet, perhaps a more certain conviction of eternal values." If a photograph is a mirror of a person¹s inner landscape, then indeed the North has connected me to a vibrant, clean, pure, robust inner reality that has been lying dormant. The light there dances with a little more joy. The colours of the autumn tundra mix and blend magically as if splashed together from the brush of a master painter. I found it difficult to walk because each new step felt as though I were treading on a delicate and fragile Masterpiece -- nature¹s canvas of infinite size and import.  I open the tent flap and step out into a dazzling light that illuminates the hoarfrost that has blanketed the beach before dawn. There is my friend Jeff, binoculars to his eyes, a distant silhouette on the far ridge. Tundra Tom walks into the kitchen, book in hand, ready for our morning story -- which, legend has it -- he has memorized and only pretends to read!  We are cruising the pristine waters of Whitefish Lake on a pontoon boat as a brilliant crimson sunset explodes on the western rim, then spreads like wildfire across the entire hemisphere. Caribou antlers shine iridescent white in the nurturing glow of a pregnant moon. The aurora, like a saucy and unruly sorceress, mocks our inability to keep pace with her dance, or to catch her with our cameras. Rain, sleet, wind, snow, sand, piercing cold, brilliant sun, Arctic light, luminescent colour stream by us and at us in a kaleidoscope of cosmic sensations. I am a child; I am old; I am alive; I can¹t comprehend; I can¹t cope; I am exhausted, euphoric, mesmerized, satiated, starved for more, eager to return ... and already there. My senses are in overload, my body on the brink of collapse. The spell is cast."

Adele Curtis / Photographer
Singer & Songwriter
Victoria, BC (2003 & 2004)

  Dennis Fast
Wildlife Photographer
Kleefield, Manitoba (2003 & 2004)

Jeff Waugh / B.Sc. Wildlife Science
 Inti Travel and Tours, Inc. (2003)
Banff, Alberta

 Glen Grambo / Photographer
Warman, SK (2003 & 2004)

"Well, I didn't know how it could be better than the prior year, but it certainly was. The wildlife never stopped coming, from the first musk ox we encountered on the "get acquainted" tour, to the last caribou that were roaming through camp as we readied ourselves for the trip back to Yellowknife. When you told us that we would become blasé about the caribou coming through camp by the end of the trip, I thought you were just hyping the situation. To my surprise, you were absolutely correct. Our daily visits in the camp by caribou bulls became a part of being there. The daily stalks in the surrounding country, led by the very competent Andrew and Alicia, were exciting throughout. With the cool overcast days giving the wildlife more incentive to be active, we were able to find our prey wherever we ventured. Absolutely no hike was un-rewarded -- we were never shut out. Andrew's calm and smooth "dancing" seemed to mesmerize the caribou, and several ventured to within a few yards of our groups. We were able to see the truly wonderful inquisitiveness of these gorgeous animals. One can only wonder what they must be thinking of all these weird people with cameras venturing into their domain. When the opportunity presented itself, Andrew turned his magic towards the musk ox with the same fantastic results. His caribou dance brought a young bull quite close to investigate what was happening. The complete lack of fear that you find in many of the tundra's animals gives me hope that man and beast can actually find a way to live together, without us doing harm to them. The fall colors were abundant before we left and provided us with excellent photo opportunities, too. Some of our group caught lunch and dinner for a couple of days for everyone, fishing in the pristine waters of Whitefish Lake. If there is a better total package for photographers to visit the wilderness, I have no idea where it could be. This is the epitome of untouched lands, and, without a doubt, I have become addicted. See you next year!"

""I just wanted to touch base with you and thank you once again for an outstanding barrenlands experience with you and your staff.  I learned so much about your area and all that it has to offer.  It was really valuable to experience everything first hand and get to know how you operate.  I've gone through my pictures with everyone I know and people comment on how passionate I am about what I'm telling them, from the history to the landforms to the wildlife, oh yes the fish too!   I hope that you will be able to pass along my comments to your staff.  The staff did an exceptional job accommodating the multiple interests of the group each day, and showing patience with all.  The interpretive trips were great.  Once we found the animals, the guides did a great job ensuring that we got closer for good observation, without being obtrusive and that the viewing opportunities were maximized.  It was obvious that all your staff cares a great deal about their work and they understand how important customer service is.  I felt that they did an exceptional job in keeping the interpretive hikes fresh, even though they've done it dozens/hundreds of times before.  This is a key point for me as an agent who will send my clients there, and all your staff deserves a big pat on the back for that.  The camp and the day's activities were very well organized, and everything ran smoothly.  The staff followed a tireless routine and everything was kept amazingly clean.  The meals were great, really impressive considering the logistics, and even though I burnt off thousands of calories each day, I actually put on a few pounds while I was there.  The fishing was good and I wish I had another week there to truly 'bond' with those big lakers. The barrenlands are a wonderful place to be: seemingly empty, yet so rich with history, plants, birds and animals.  I'm quite drawn to this land that you love so much and I am beginning to understand why you call it home and why it is so special to you.  I've got a lot more reading to do and I'm going to seek out some of the titles from your library.  There were a couple of special moments for me when I was there, and I'm sure all of your guests have them.  For me the best was when I was sitting down by the creek trying to figure out which lure to use next when a gyrfalcon came lazily along the shoreline, flying low, totally oblivious to my presence and when he saw me, he came closer and actually hovered above me for 3-4 seconds and then continued on his hunt over toward Indian Lake.  He was so close I could have touched him with the end of my fly rod.  A couple of other moments were the musk ox stalk (where he was stalking us!) and when Vicki and I were on the Sandy River portage and we came very close to a small herd of about 15 caribou.  The history of 'Gusland' and the spiritual rock by the creek also had an effect on me.  The challenges that your region is facing from mining interests are massive.  There is no doubt that the wildlife and the ecosystem will be impacted.  Your operations, as with most tourism interests, are a sustainable type of development that impacts natural environments very little.  If you ever need my company to speak up on behalf of your operations, the Thelon region in terms of its value as an intact ecosystem, tourism potential and value, etc. please do not hesitate to contact me and let me know what I can do.  If you are ever in the Edmonton area and need a place to stay, Vicki and I would be pleased to have you come out to our home east of Edmonton and spend some time with us, and by all means come by the office anytime and say hello.  Thanks again for the opportunity to experience your camp at Whitefish Lake, your gracious hospitality and the terrific contrasts of the tundra." 

 Jim Storey, President and Managing Partner
The Great Canadian Adventure Company
Edmonton, AB (2003)

"Never had I imagined when I booked my trip to the NWT that it would have such an impact on my soul. What I discovered was abundant beauty at every turn - reflections in a glacial lake at first light, the perfect silence of the land (to be broken only by the wind stirring in the white pines), brilliant green northern lights dancing in the night sky, double rainbows appearing over whitefish lake, holding a 4,000 year old arrowhead in my hand, seeing my first grizzly track and a whole bunch of wolf tracks, and baby ptarmigans playing in the willows -- to name a few. I met some really interesting people on the trip and I know they were as appreciative of the land and the animals as I was. The thrill of a face-to-face (or I suppose it was face to snout) encounter with the shaggy, prehistoric and magical Musk ox was something that I could not have even imagined. I could have lain out on the tundra for the entire day just watching the Musk ox sleep, graze, socialize, and move around! The Musk ox and all of the animals that we saw had a natural curiosity about us and made viewing them special indeed. Tundra Tom and Andrew, the lead guide, were very respectful of the animals and made sure to balance our experience with the animals' comfort of us being there. Canadians should know that they are heirs to an extraordinarily rich and unique ecosystem that should be protected and appreciated - that which is called the Thelon. Taking a trip with Tundra Tom gave me the rare privilege to experience the Thelon in all of its fall glory. I'd highly recommend that anyone take a trip with Great Canadian Ecoventures and Tundra Tom. They take such wonderful care of their guests - from the hikes, the historical/local information and stories, to the wonderful meals and comfortable tents! When I came home to Toronto, my friends asked what the "best" part of my trip was. I found that a very difficult thing to answer because I couldn't think of just one. The entire trip was enchanting. The land was more touched by wonder and possibility than any since that I have known. I hope to return again!"

"The Canadian Tundra is truly a vast and exciting place to visit no matter what your reasons. You can see things in the tundra that are not available anywhere else. The incredible scenery was more than I expected. To be able to view musk ox and white wolves was a bonus on top of everything else. The Ecoventures guides and accommodations were second to none. We had great meals at every serving; all with that good ole home cooking flavor. The guide service was very accommodating to our every whim. Even though I was there for photography; on one of the slow days one of the guides took me fishing for lake trout. What more can I say except thanks for the great memories!"

"The business of photography can take one many places.I've been in the business many years and have been fortunate to have visited (on assignment) nearly 50 countries. In that time, you do have your favorites, each bringing up a different set of memories: some good, some bad, some utterly life-changing and stamped indelibly in your mind. I've worked quite a bit in northern Canada and Alaska on assignments for National Geographic and Conde Nast Traveler. My assignment from Traveler, late in the summer of 2000, was to photograph Canada's Thelon Wildlife Sanctuary and third-generation guide "Tundra Tom". I'd never been fortunate enough to visit "Shield Country", and was not sure what to expect. The "Dance with Caribou" part was something I had no idea about. The entire trip/experience proved to be one of the incredible memories in this career. The eskers, the light, the wildlife (musk-ox, arctic wolves, caribou, all as guaranteed) as well as the companionship (and food) and expertise of Tom and staff naturalist Terry Elliott was staggering. In between assignments, sitting in my office, daydreaming of where I would like to be, Tom's camp and surrounding wonderland keeps creeping to the top of my list."

Jay Dickman
(Pulitzer Prize Winner Photojournalist)
Littleton, Colorado (2002)

"I've worked all over the world, including Antarctica, and the Thelon is one of the most unforgettable places of all. It touches a human deeply and originally - not just to know that such an intact, alive landscape still exists, but to actually feel it. Thanks for providing such a beautiful, memorable, and expert entry into that exalted space."

Alan Weisman / Journalist
Conde Nast Traveler Magazine
Tuscon, Arizona (2002)

"My time on Whitefish Lake is a week I will remember and cherish for my entire life. No amount of reading or planning can actually prepare you for what you are about to experience. No matter how good you hope your encounter with the true wilderness of the Thelon will be, you will only find that it is even better than imaginable. Upon our initial arrival at the base camp, we were met with the news of an awaiting adventure - a herd of musk oxen was feeding and resting nearby. A quick boat trip and our first stealth hike across the tundra put us reasonably close to a group of more than twenty animals. We quickly became acquainted with the fall splendor of what seemed our own personal esker. Wonderful reds, yellows and greens that reflected in the quiet pools found throughout the large dunes glowed brilliantly in the soft light of the north all day long, only to then nearly jump out in their glory and resplendence when touched by the early morning or evening sunlight. he time was so full that I could discuss it forever. From the encounters with the solitary white wolf, to the incoming flight of graceful tundra swans, to the soaring gyrfalcons, to the abandoned log homes of another civilization, to the mood-setting readings of Tundra Tom, to the unthinkable quiet of a perfectly smooth Whitefish Lake, and, finally, to a place where nature is clearly the absolute ruler, I eagerly await my next venture into this wondrous realm within the Northwest Territories."

Lonnie Brock (2001)
The Nature Workshops
Scottsdale, Arizona

Shooting on assignment for two German travel magazines and working on a large Coffee table Book on Canada, we flew into Tundra Tom's Camp on Whitefish Lake in the first week of September 2001. Expecting to see lots of Wildlife and hardly any scenery, we were astonished to the beauty of the place. We hit the prime week for fall colors and the colors were just spectacular. Focusing on Landscape and Macro work, we bumped three times into Musk Ox and I got incredible shots of Musk Ox in foliage. To stay and shoot in such a remote "nature paradise" should be reward enough for any serious Nature photographer. Toms Team was going out of the way to make us comfortable. Great food, dry tents and hot showers, what else could anybody need in the Barrenlands?

Christian Heeb (2001)
Heebphoto Inc.
USA-Bend, OR

"As a photographer, I can only say that my trip to the Thelon was a very unique experience of a lifetime. The Barren lands is such a remote and vast wilderness unparalleled in its beauty. The wildlife there was incredible. To see and photograph caribou and musk ox in their natural environment was simply spectacular, and the northern lights where an amazing site to see. Tom, his staff and guides, and photo trip leader Steve Maka did a fantastic job in sharing with us a rare opportunity to be a part of this timeless environment. I plan to revisit the Thelon and can only say that if you really want to experience such a wonderful place, go on one of Toms trips! Thanks so much for a great time."

Dave Rivers / Photographer
Maynard, MA (2000)

What I now feel of the Thelon: I am now in "Arctic Fever"! When I was at Ft. Good Hope, the elders said "if you really want to see the paradise on earth, just go to Barren Land". When I got my first sight of vast Tundra, I feel like I was in hell because I did not know how to survive there and it looked to me there was nothing there. But day-by-day I recognized there was everything I wanted. Life of every living thing, even little grass and small bush, has a lot of power and spirit. Then it became one of my heavens in northern Canadian wilderness. Next summer, I will paddle down the Thelon River all through to Baker Lake spending three month. I am looking forward to get back to Thelon so much now! Camp: It was too comfortable to me. I could not feel it was in the middle of wilderness. Hot shower... good meals! It was one of my best trips that I ever experienced!

Katsuyuki Tanaka / Writer
Chiba-shi, Japan (year 2000, 2001)

"The Upper Thelon is still working its way through my system, even after having some fabulous experiences in Nunavut with different kinds of animals: seals, polar bears and beluga whales! The trip was beyond all my expectations [Great Summer Caribou Migration]. Once I got used to really being outside again, I was completely overwhelmed with the esker-anchored landscape, the flying and wildlife watching: face-to-boss with a musk ox, watching wolves and pups, catching lake trout and stalking a herd of 10,000 caribou. These were the highlights but it was the composite tone of the place and the experience that made the trip stand out among others. I was feeling like this well before we saw the caribou. I loved the camp and being out on the barrens-I even love saying, "when I was out on the barren lands" to people. It makes me sound so adventurous! The truth is your trip, camp and tour make this stunning land and its animals accessible to people willing to let their minds and spirits compel them to a place perhaps more wild and epiphanic than they could have predicted."

Catherine M. Senecal / Journalist
Winnipeg, MB (2000)

"Tom, I am sitting down to write this three weeks after returning home. I still have yet to come down from the natural high that I was on during my time on the tundra. The haunting beauty of the Barren lands will stay with me always. Having traveled extensively across much of North America in my work as a nature photographer I can honestly say that my time spent in the Barrens was photographically the most productive two weeks that I have ever spent in the field. The diversity and beauty of the landscape, combined with the ever-present wildlife made for an experience that will be deeply cherished for the rest of my life. The day that I watched and photographed Caribou, Musk Ox and an Arctic Wolf all within the span of less than two hours was a day that only happens in the wildest dreams of a nature photographer. The last day of staking out a water-crossing for caribou was an unbelievable day! I wasn¹t settled in for five minutes before a herd of a dozen caribou swam across thirty yards away. After a period of about three hours I saw not less than five crossings ------ the largest herd had nineteen caribou! That herd crossed twenty ­ five feet away from where I had positioned myself! I would have called that day the thrill of a lifetime if I had not had the experience of stalking Musk Ox on the day when the fall colors peaked. ---- I don¹t think I have had a day in my life when I felt more alive than I did while stalking Musk Ox across the tundra. Returning to base camp after a full day on the tundra and watching the Aurora dance across the sky into the wee hours of the morning was an experience that I will never forget. The trip was truly amazing! The land is unforgettable! The experience was priceless! Your guides are the absolute cream of the crop. Base camp had all of the amenities that anyone could want in such a remote location. I hope to return to the Barren lands with you and your staff in the very near future. It is with deep gratitude that I say thank you for providing this incredibly unique opportunity."

Scott Schrader / Photographer
Helotes, TX (2000)

We were glad we got to spend 2 weeks with you and your top-notch staff this August and September on Whitefish Lake [Dance with Caribou]! Staying there for two weeks provided us with opportunities to watch the tundra change from green and brown to spectacular red, yellow and orange. We also experienced about every type of weather, from rain and wind to snow showers to clear blue skies. We got some great photographs of the Northern Lights which we saw every clear night and of mirror reflections on the esker kettles. The time you spent telling us about the land, its history and people and your experiences there, gave us an even deeper appreciation of this magnificent wilderness. Being on "The Barrens" with Inuksuit, musk ox, caribou, wolves and even a wolverine, was truly unique. We especially appreciated the efforts you and your staff made to "go the extra mile" to provide us with the best opportunities, including the overnight stay at South Camp where we got to see several herds of caribou at the water crossing just outside of the camp. "Stalking musk-ox from the plane and on the ground was unforgettable! The staff was "awesome". They made great meals and were terrific guides and naturalists. Thanks for a great trip!! We are looking forward to our 3rd trip with you to "the Barrens!"

Steven and Suzanne Barger
Photographers
Cincinnati, OH (1999, 2000)

"Great Canadian Ecoventures has opened the gateway to the amazing and austere beauty of the boreal Thelon country. Skilled and accommodating guides provided creature comforts throughout our photographer-customized trip. The rugged landscape not only offered unparalleled natural beauty, but an incredible diversity of wildlife. I valued my time spent in Thelon country as a visit to one of the most impressive scenic locations in all of North America."

Art Wolfe
Art Wolfe, Inc. (1999)
Seattle, WA

"Ever since I was a lad I wanted to visit the famed Barrenlands of Canada's Northwest Territories and this past summer I had the opportunity to travel to Yellowknife then on to Tundra Tom's camp at Whitefish Lake.  With 35-years experience photographing in Alaska I thought I had seen it all...but the Barrenlands are different than "our" tundra. Truly the Barrens are one of the mystic, incomparable places on earth. The crew at Whitefish was outstanding, some of the best people I have ever spent time with outdoors. The food was great and the camp comfortable. Photography resource leader Steve Maka was outstanding. Arctic hares, gyrfalcons, wolverines, white wolf, caribou, musk-ox, and foxes...all great photo subjects, indeed.  However, for me, it was the land itself that was so magical. Granite outcrops piercing dry tundra...good walking to isolated eskers that offered evidence of Inuit and Dene' use going back hundreds of years. Crimson bearberry, gold willows and snapping auroras overhead...what colors!!!! I'll never forget the low mist on the tundra, the twisted spruce "forest" by camp, and the clear waters that provided us with several meals of wonderful lake trout.  Thanks, Tundra Tom, for such a great trip and crew. Hopefully I'll be back soon...with some friends!"

Tom Walker / Photographer
Denali Park, AK (1999)

"Words seem so pitifully inadequate to describe the Barrenlands of the Northwest Territories. The landscape, wildlife and weather all combine to make this the most unique environment that I have photographed. Just the immense vastness of the country would have been enough of a reminder of how insignificant our self-acclaimed importance really is. But add to the remoteness of that space the extraordinary geology, evidence of pre-history, and the awesome celestial display of the Aurora Borealis, one's soul is deeply touched and changed forever. Even without my passion for nature photography I could have spent every minute of every day in awe of the environment.  Although my passion was rewarded constantly either with a magnificent landscape, abstract macro, or unique wildlife photo opportunity, the images brought back on film can not compare to the rich memories of the experience of this place. The comradely and bonding; being dropped off by float plane to stalk prehistoric Musk-ox on a barren landscape; ancient stone artifacts reminding us of the passing of time and a primitive existence from the earth; and on Wednesday: wind, rain, hail, sun, snow, clouds, and a double rainbow from horizon to horizon.  Tundra Tom provides an incredible tour to such a remote and harsh area. Without a doubt, the base camp at Whitefish Lake is the most comfortably appointed wilderness camp I have stayed in with hot showers, heated tents, and even a cozy library. The well-stocked larder is complimented by freshly caught lake trout or grayling cooked on the grill. Tundra biscuits and bannock bread. The question is not when will I return, but rather, for how long?"

Stephen G. Maka / Photographer
Sherborn, MA (1999, 2000, 2001)

"..A rare opportunity to camera hunt wildlife at a truly wild place.  As photography guide, I took to the field with folks who had a variety of cameras and skill levels, from point & shoot to real professional. They all got some great pictures! And while Tom's rule - and mine - is that clients get the photo opportunity first, I still got great images.  You can't miss: you're so far from "civilization" that you get to work with animals who probably never saw a human being before. While still very wary, because they share the curious nature of their white-tailed deer cousins, many of the caribou would approach you if you used Tom's 'dance with the caribou' technique, and sometimes, if you simply got low to the ground with a wind advantage.  Applying other camera hunting techniques was also a lot of fun and, at times, well worth the effort. I learned some of these by reading about how the original people hunted caribou in Tom's well stocked camp library. The library and other amenities of the base camp, including some great home-cooked meals, provided us the ability to make the most of a truly one of a kind experience.  Because Tundra Tom sets up his camps at strategic locations along classic caribou migration routes, we had the chance to work daily with a number and variety of caribou. That enabled us to really learn about this fabulous species. The images that we got included not only full frame portraits but also glimpses of caribou behavior not often recorded on film.  Pre-migration groups of bulls came down past the camp every day. The first day they were as wary as any of their kind. The second day they visited knowing that humans occupied the site, and you could work much more closely with them. It often happened that they returned for a third day before moving on. And then, with a slow and respectful approach, you could get portraits with a wide angle lens without bothering them!  Tom told me that this was not always the case, which is part of why he worked out the 'dance with the caribou' that is so effective on the open tundra. But when they wake you up gnawing on last year's dropped antler 15 feet from your tent, how hard can it be?  In addition to the caribou, we photographed musk-oxen, Arctic hare and several species of birds, not to mention the Northern lights. A final comment: Tom's guides Terry & Dweeb are the best wilderness guides I've ever known. If I ever got lost in the bush, I'd want to have one of them come looking for me."  Catch them in the good light!

Bill Silliker, Jr, (1998)
Saco, ME
The Camera Hunter

"The tundra, yes the tundra... I didn't think any place could affect me the way mountain environments have affected me, but when I first visited the Serengeti I found I was wrong----and I found I was wrong again when I experienced the barrenlands. In both places one feels the true vastness of the earth. When one stops chattering and listens to the sighing of the winds sweeping across the tundra, something inside you carries you back into the far reaches of time when we all carried spears. When it is quiet it is so quiet and the spaces are so great that you feel the earth turning slowly on its axis. This sense of antiquity and the immensity of space are, to me, a fundamental aspect of the tundra. Adding wildlife to the tundra brings it all to life. Without wildlife, one could dismiss any environment, no matter how beautiful, as merely being scenery. The tundra has it all! Nuts and bolts: The camp, staff, food all exceeded expectations. I don't think this is an experience for everyone. I think some yuppie-types have a hard time understanding what a miracle it is that this operation even exists. I think you need to be commended for changing and adapting plans according to changing conditions, but some urban people will always have difficulty dealing with that. Tundra Tom: Now there is a nut case! But a likable nut case. Probably, if I were a young man, I would consider going to the barrens and throw my life away, like I 'm sure many people think you have. It is a life worth living. I plan to return next September and bring my wife!"

Lee Mann
Northwest Photo Arts (1998, 1999, 2001)
Sedro Wooley, WA

"I often judge my wildlife trips by how long it takes me to step back into reality. I was stunned the first day back, depressed the second and speaking normally in a week. I loved being up at Whitefish Lake. My only regret is that I did not swim in those clear waters, but I certainly bathed my soul with the fresh air, fabulous wildlife and wondrous landscapes. I also keenly enjoyed your staff. The trip was an 'A plus'. I don't know how we could have improved it except to let me move in permanently. It was very difficult stepping into that plane and returning to Yellowknife."

Nancy Gibson (1998, 1999)
International Wolf Center
Minneapolis, MN

"Thank you for the wonderful experience in the upper Thelon! I thoroughly enjoyed observing the wolves, musk-oxen, caribou, and other wildlife in the area. The beauty and solitude of the barrens and the eskers are unmatched. And in the middle of it all, it was great that your camp was so comfortable and your staff so accommodating. I can't wait to return next summer!"

Dr. David Mech (1997, 1998)
International Wolf Center
Ely, MN

"While at the Upper Thelon Basecamp, fall color reached its peak and the esker and tundra became covered with mesmerizing tapestry of red, green and gold. With a mixture of hues and textures, the carpets of leaves, mosses and lichens provided me with an endless supply of macro photography subjects. It was a perfect backdrop against which to photograph the caribou, musk-ox & other tundra wildlife"

Irene Hinke-Sacilotto (1997, 1998)
Osprey Photo Workshops
Baltimore, MD

Galen Rowell (1997, 1998, 2000)
Mountain Light Photography
Emeryville, Ca

Dr. Wayne Lynch / Photographer
Calgary, AB

"I wish to express my gratification concerning the recent trip on which I accompanied you to the Northwest Territories. The 'Dance with the Caribou' adventure allowed me to take many fine photographs of the Beverly caribou herd, as well as the spectacular fall colours of the northern tundra. Your help in stalking animals, and your insight into the areas early cultures made this a learning experience with considerable information for my future articles [See the article titled 'The Barrenlands' in the March/94 issue of 'Outdoor Photographer magazine]. You were right about the barrens, they will draw you back. I look forward to returning to the north to share more photographic experiences with you and the groups of photographers and nature lovers that come looking for an unspoiled land rich with wildlife and scenic grandeur. This is the place, and if anyone can show it to them, you do".

George Lepp / Photographer
Los Osos, CA

"Just wanted to thank you for a great two weeks in the Northwest Territories. As a full-time professional wildlife photographer I have the opportunity to travel to many remote and beautiful areas. However, I was awestruck by the beauty and vastness of the tundra, and certainly wasn't prepared for the diversity of flora and fauna on the sand esker areas. It is in these places that it was most easy to stalk and photograph wildlife. There are not many places in North America where you can stalk animals that in all likelihood have never seen or encountered man. I can honestly say that this is true "wildlife photography". Between your boats, canoes and the aircraft, spotting and approaching caribou was easy. Your choice for camp sites was always excellent with musk-ox or caribou running or grazing often times right through the camp. I came away from my trip with many color images of caribou, musk-ox, northern lights, and close-ups of "fall" Arctic tundra colors. I would highly recommend this trip to others!

Michael Francis / Photographer
Billings, MT