In the 45 years Fran Hurcomb has resided in Yellowknife, a lot has changed. 

From her early days living on the trapline, to running sled dogs and building a houseboat, Hurcomb calls the North a place with SA国际影视传媒渟uch potential for adventure.SA国际影视传媒�

In her latest book, Breaking Trail: Northern Stories from a Simpler Time, Hurcomb gives readers a glimpse into some of her adventures from when she first backed her 1966 Valiant out of an Ottawa driveway and drove past the 60th parallel. 

In 14 short stories, Breaking Trail recounts a mixture of fact and fiction in HurcombSA国际影视传媒檚 semi-autobiographical collection that she intends as a lighthearted read. 

Known for her photography, Hurcomb has published three pictorial histories and two childrenSA国际影视传媒檚 books. Breaking Trail, however, is unlike anything sheSA国际影视传媒檚 done before. 

SA国际影视传媒淚t's not a history, like my Old Town book or my dog derby book or those other ones. And it's not pure fiction like my kids books,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淭his is sort of a mixture. It's about a time and a place. The place being this area, and the time being mid-'70s.

SA国际影视传媒淚 just let my imagination go,SA国际影视传媒� said Hurcomb. SA国际影视传媒淪ome stories are as true to fact as I can remember."

Others were inspired by people and places encountered along the way.

In considering the bookSA国际影视传媒檚 subtitle, Hurcomb said that Yellowknife in the '70s seemed like a simpler time.

SA国际影视传媒淣o time is perfect, but it did seem to me, when I think back, that life was a bit more straightforward. You could just do things,SA国际影视传媒� she said, describing building a cabin or going out into the bush without formal permission. SA国际影视传媒淎nd nobody ever looked twice at us.SA国际影视传媒�

Though, she said, SA国际影视传媒淚 also wonder if that's something as you get older, you just begin to think life is getting complicated.SA国际影视传媒�

Having authored a number of Northern-focused books, Hurcomb recalls being fascinated by the North from the time she was a child. 

SA国际影视传媒淎 story requires a bit of an adventure, whether it's physical or mental,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淚n order to have any kind of story, something's got to be happening. I just feel like a lot happens in the North.SA国际影视传媒�

Breaking Trail tells the story of a new Northerner; of a dog musher; a cabin builder; of someone spending much of her time out in the bush. Hearing those stories from a female perspective is as unique as the accounts themselves, Hurcomb said. 

SA国际影视传媒淚t's not that women weren't having adventures, it's just, we don't seem to hear about them,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淚 hope that people will appreciate this as a different viewpoint because it is a woman's point of view, and kind of in a man's world in those days.SA国际影视传媒�

As of last week, Breaking Trail became available at the Yellowknife Book Cellar and the Down to Earth Gallery. For out-of-towners looking to get their hands on a copy, Hurcomb suggests emailing her at franhurcomb@gmail.com and she will send a copy in the mail.

While a book launch doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 appear to be in the cards, she said if ever there is a warm day in the coming months, she would set up a table outside the Down to Earth Gallery, SA国际影视传媒減ut on some warm clothes, and sit around for a couple hoursSA国际影视传媒� to sign copies.  

Hurcomb said she feels "a good sense of accomplishment" with Breaking Trail.

"I hope people get an appreciation for just the wonderful wildness of the North."