23/11/2025
Our Great Expedition 2026 – Thaidene Nene 2026
We are counting down to summer 2026, when we once again set course for the wilderness east of Great Slave Lake – a region that has fascinated us for over a decade. After previous expeditions to Sandy Lake and Thaidene Nene, we are ready for a new journey that combines history, culture, and raw nature.
The Plan
Food Supplies: Ordered from Cabela’s– carefully selected expedition rations designed to withstand the harsh conditions and provide energy for long days on the tundra. Lightweight, dehydrated meals that only require water – perfect for our adventure.
Canoes and Gear: Secured through Overlander Sports Yellowknife. We’ve chosen robust Ally canoes with all necessary safety equipment, ensuring safe paddling through calm waters and rivers.
Final Purchases: Will be made in Yellowknife before departure – everything from fuel to small essentials.
Accommodation:We’ll stay at Chateau Nova, a modern hotel offering comfortable rooms, fitness facilities, sauna, and a restaurant serving local specialties. The perfect base before heading into the wild.
Experiences in Yellowknife Before the Tundra
Before venturing into the tundra, we’ll enjoy the best of Yellowknife:
Bullock’s Bistro: The city’s most iconic restaurant, famous for world-class fish & chips made from fresh, locally caught fish from Great Slave Lake. Rustic atmosphere and historic charm – a must-visit.
Wildcat Café: Yellowknife’s oldest restaurant, originally opened in 1937. This historic log cabin in Old Town symbolizes the pioneer era and was a meeting place for prospectors, bush pilots, and adventurers. Here we’ll taste authentic northern dishes and feel the history.
Museums:
We’ll visit the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre offering insight into Dene culture, northern wildlife, and the gold rush era. We’ll also stop by the Yellowknife Historical Museum, which tells the story of the city’s development and life in the North.
Excursions: A trip to
Dettah, a Yellowknives Dene settlement rich in culture, traditional food, and crafts. Here we’ll learn about Dene traditions and see moose hides being tanned and fish drying on racks.
Cameron Falls:
A spectacular waterfall in Hidden Lake Territorial Park, about 45 minutes from Yellowknife. A short but scenic hike leads to the falls where the Cameron River plunges 17 meters into a rocky gorge – perfect for photography and a moment of calm before the expedition.
Goals on the Tundra
Once we head east, the real adventure begins:
Revisiting Helge Ingstad’s Tundra Camp:
We’ll return to the site where Ingstad overwintered in 1929–30 – a historic location that connects us to Norway’s great polar tradition.
Indian Lake: We’ll search for traces of the old Indigenous settlement said to have been located on its shores, based on oral history. A journey into the past and the life of the Dene people in this region.
Why Are We Doing This?
For us, this expedition is about more than nature. It’s about preserving and experiencing history, understanding the culture that shaped this land, and challenging ourselves in one of the world’s most untouched landscapes. We combine adventure, research, and cultural respect – and we do it with deep appreciation for the land and its people.
The Team
Peter Engelschiøn – Expedition leader with five previous journeys to the region.
Erling Sagneskar & Åge Svinøy – Experienced mountain trekkers who helped locate Ingstad’s Tundra Camp in 2013.
Christopher Lid – A seasoned woodsman with boundless energy and a love for lively debate.
Svein Erik Stenseth – A quiet soul with countless trips through the forests of Finnskogen.
Lars-Petter Totorp – A true mountain wanderer with a special interest in maps and long treks across the Arctic.
📅 **Departure:** Summer 2026
📸 Follow us for updates, photos, and stories from the planning process and the expedition itself. Questions ? Send us a message!
Most of all, we ask that when travelling in Thaidene Nëné you commit to:
1. Travel with humility and respect for the land and water by being mindful of your behaviour, your attitude, and what you say when you are on the land and water.
2. Pay the land and water with something valuable like to***co, spruce boughs, tea, or sugar as a sign of respect.
3. Respect heritage and spiritual sites by not disturbing or taking anything from them.
4. Safely dispose of or remove anything you brought.
5. Respect the inherent and treaty rights of Indigenous peoples to hunt, trap, and gather within Thaidene Nëné
