The woodlands bordering the lake and nearby Dubawnt River teemed with such numbers of caribou that the Chipewyan hunters, using pounds constructed of bushy trees and snares made of rawhide, could easily provide enough meat for the entire community.

Hearne's second attempt to reach the Coppermine River was more prolonged, lasting nine months and reaching the Dubawnt River, but also proved unsuccessful.

All that lay between that coast and the Dubawnt River was the unexplored watershed of the White Partridge River.

His party did not travel down the lower "Kazan." He was already familiar with Chesterfield Inlet from the year before when he explored the Dubawnt River, and the season was advancing.

The specific question posed in the heading for this section, however, is difficult to answer for the following reasons: 1) we do not know precisely where Hearne crossed Anaunethad Lake; 2) we do not know whether his homeward route was totally independent of his outgoing route (published map) or whether it split off from his outgoing route at the Dubawnt River (manuscript map); and 3) there are many days for which Hearne gave no estimate of miles travelled.

About the only thing we do know is that, according to his account, Hearne travelled at least 29 miles on the Dubawnt River on 12, 18, and 19 May.

So where might they have struck the Dubawnt River? On other occasions, as noted above, when Matonabbee stopped to make canoes, sledges, or other items appropriate to the coming season, they camped by a small lake.