Map information
Maps of the Northwest Territories in two different scales are used by paddlers. The 1:250,000 (four miles to the inch) map covers all areas of the NWT, while the 1:50,000 scale is available only for certain areas. A very good selection of topographical maps is available from The Map Place, 101-5016 Franklin Avenue, Yellowknife, NT X1A 2N2 Canada, Tel (876) 873-8448, Fax (867) 873-8439. You can also check out the Atlas of Canada website, http://atlas.gc.ca for these and many other maps.
Along with maps (including a spare set), you should always carry a compass with adjustable declination and a reliable watch. The farther north you venture, the less reliable your compass is. But it's still a great help for fast orientation and finding your way in fog and bad weather. It's also a good idea to set your watch to the correct sun time when you start out, as this is one of the most reliable methods of determining direction. A watch is also essential for dead-reckoning, which is highly recommended as a cross-check procedure.
NWT Tourism Box 610, Yellowknife NT X1A 2N5 Canada
Toll-free number: 1-800-661-0788
International: +1-867-873-7200
Email: info@spectacularnwt.com
