Pete,

Winter or summer, the remote communities rely on small aircraft as their primary means of transportation for great distances.

When everything freezes up, it's actually easier to get around, as many surfaces that are too swampy to drive a vehicle or walk on, but not wet enough to baot on become perfect for snowmachines.

It's the transition months that really grind transportation to a halt. When the ice isn't thick enough to support the weight of winter vehicles, but too think to boat through.