A 72-year-old canoeist, who spends his summers in the Yukon, is continuing his journey down the Yukon River to Carmacks after the RCMP and Search and Rescue volunteers found him near the confluence of the Yukon and Big Salmon rivers Wednesday.

Carmacks RCMP Const. Greg Tannahill said Wednesday the first report of the canoeist missing came in late September. That's when a friend of his called the police to report the man hadn't come into town to catch his flight.

His friend later contacted the RCMP to call off any search efforts after the Canadian Rangers came across the man at Hootalinqua during a routine exercise on the Yukon River.

At that point, he was staying in a cabin on the river until the weather improved.

The canoeist had the Rangers pass along a note stating he had changed his flight and would be back into Whitehorse to catch an Oct. 7 flight south.

When the man wasn't back into town for that flight, his friend once again called the RCMP at about 1:50 p.m. Tuesday, and the search was on again.

Due to fading daylight, Tannahill said, the search didn't get underway until Wednesday morning.

Whitehorse RCMP and Search and Rescue volunteers began to patrol the river from Lake Laberge.

Meanwhile, Faro RCMP and Search and Rescue volunteers started from their end of the river. Faro Search and Rescue then found the man, originally from Australia, stranded due to the cold weather.

'He was in good health,' Tannahill said.

Despite the snow and cold, the man has told police he would prefer to continue on toward Carmacks.

The RCMP have issued a warning to him because of the current weather conditions.

Tannahill pointed out the man, who spends much of his summers on the Yukon River and winters in Vancouver, is experienced and confident in his decision to continue on.

He is unsure when he will land in Carmacks though, Tannahill said.

The situation demonstrates the importance of having two-way communication on such trips, Tannahill said. The note the man passed to the Rangers took a week to make it to his friend, Tannahill pointed out.

Satellite phones can be rented, he observed.

The RCMP commended the man on taking the necessary precautions before the trip, though, and telling his friend where he was going and when he was expected to be back.

'With the coming winter season, police also wish to remind all outdoor and wilderness enthusiasts to exercise caution and take the necessary precautions when planning an expedition,' RCMP said in a statement released Wednesday afternoon.

'Approved safety devices (such as helmets or avalanche beacons) and thermal protective wear should be worn at all times.

'Extra food, medical and camping supplies should also be packed in case of an emergency and friends or neighbours should be advised of itineraries, destinations and expected return times.'

The incident also shows how well a search can be launched with success, Tannahill said, praising the search and rescue volunteers who assisted.