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It’s been a banner year for Blachford, one of the Northwest Territories’ premier lodges, as it made headlines around the world for hosting Prince William and Kate Middleton last summer on their Royal tour. It’s also the site of Dechinta, the North’s first bush university, which will soon offer courses accredited by McGill University. I’m here with nine other visitors. On nearby Long Lake, a single snowmobile track reminds us how deliciously alone we are.

Our journey begins at the float-plane base in Yellowknife, where everyone is grateful for the neon yellow and pink earplugs we’re handed for the ride. (Everyone, that is, except an elderly Japanese tourist who ate them thinking they were candy.) When we arrive, we disembark from the plane, temporary Northerners decked out in puffy Canada Goose parkas and moon-boot black Sorels. The visitors to the lodge this weekend are aurora-pilgrims, here from all corners of the earth to photograph the best northern lights in the world, inspired by Jack London-esque tales of Northern adventure.

Source: National Post