The following is an update we received in early March but forgot to post (sorry!) from Vern Miller the Okpik Chief Interpreter a Northern Tier:

Greetings from Okpik!

Things have been going well this winter. The cold weather in November and December allowed for the lakes to freeze before any heavy snows came, which set us up for ideal conditions to go winter camping. Staff training began mid-December and the first crews arrived for the Holiday Stay program on December 27th. The trips were successful and were a good start to the season. We have a great staff on board who have been working hard and making several improvements around base.

We have endured a very cold and snowy season, but we are nearing the end. There are only two more weekends of program left for Okpik this year.

(Photo Description:  Okpik Staff 2008-09 season, click for larger photo.)

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The Okpik staff at Northern Tier also created their own snow sculpture at this year's Ely Winter Festival: