For 27 years soldiers from the British Army Training Unit at Suffield (BATUS) based at CFB Suffield, have been heading North to understand what life is like inside the Arctic Circle during winter. In 2009, another 12 members of BATUS undertook the same journey, beginning on 23 February 2009.



Aims of the Exercise were to practise military driving skills in arctic conditions and to carry out military survival training with the 1 Canadian Ranger Patrol Group (1 CRPG) in Dawson City and Tuktoyaktuk. After several long days driving they then spent 4 days in the field working with the Rangers in Dawson City, assimilating the essential skills the Rangers use to live and work in the extreme low temperatures found in the Yukon and North West Territories. With this new found knowledge they then ventured into the Arctic Circle and headed North to Tutoyaktuk.



For most, merely driving through Alberta, BC, Yukon and the North West Territories was an adventure in itself.



23 Feb 09 - Day 01 To Grand Prairie

24 Feb 09 - Day 02 To Muncho Lake

25 Feb 09 - Day 03 To Whitehorse

26 Feb 09 - Day 04 To Dawson City

27 Feb 09 - Day 05 Ex Prep

28 Feb 09 - Day 06 Sat Exercise Day1

01 Mar 09 - Day 07 Sun Exercise Day 2

02 Mar 09 - Day 08 Mon Exercise Day 3

03 Mar 09 - Day 09 Tue Exercise Day 4

04 Mar 09 - Day 10 Exercise Clear Up

05 Mar 09 - Day 11 To Arctic Circle

06 Mar 09 - Day 12 To Tuktoyaktuk

07 Mar 09 - Day 13 Stuck on the Dempster Highway

08 Mar 09 - Day 14 Back to Dawson City

09 Mar 09 - Day 15 Equipment return to 1 CRPG

10 Mar 09 - Day 16 Return to Whitehorse

11 Mar 09 - Day 17 Return to Muncho Lake

12 Mar 09 - Day 18 Return to Grand Prairie

13 Mar 09 - Day 19 Return to CFB Suffield