The search for Steffen Skjottelvik, a 29-year-old Norwegian trekker missing in northern Manitoba, is ongoing, but efforts have been hampered by financial constraints. A group from the Fort Severn First Nation suspended their search on Tuesday due to escalating costs associated with helicopter rentals. Skjottelvik had embarked on his journey from Fort Severn, Ontario, on July 25, intending to reach York Factory, Manitoba, by August 15. He was accompanied by two dogs, but one of them arrived alone at York Factory, raising concerns for his safety.

Chief Matthew Kakekaspan of the Fort Severn First Nation expressed empathy for Skjottelvik, stating, "People think that Steffen shouldn't have been doing that but we all make … mistakes and we're all human beings and that's what we look at it from. He's a human being and he needs our help.... He's somebody's child." The search team incurred approximately $70,000 in costs over two days, which Kakekaspan noted was unsustainable for the community.

Skjottelvik is considered an experienced wilderness traveler, but the terrain he was navigating is known for its dangers, including polar bears and wolves. He had planned to travel approximately 300 kilometers over three weeks. After reaching Nanuk camp, about 40 kilometers from York Factory, on August 13, he last communicated with a contact in York Factory on August 14, indicating he would arrive the following day.

Authorities have indicated that one of Skjottelvik's dogs may have been lost to wolves during the trek. However, a dog resembling one of his was spotted in Fort Severn on Monday. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) have been conducting searches using boats, drones, and helicopters, focusing on the Hayes River, which is known for its swift currents. RCMP Sgt. Paul Manaigre described the river as "extremely hazardous to cross" and noted that recent rains have intensified the current.

"If there's low waters you can technically navigate it by foot, but the tide does swing up and down … four metres," Manaigre explained. He added that searchers faced significant challenges due to the remote location and the presence of dangerous wildlife. The Canada Rangers were initially requested to assist but deemed the situation too perilous.

Kakekaspan mentioned that Skjottelvik's family in Norway is attempting to raise funds to support the search efforts, including covering costs already incurred by the Fort Severn community. He criticized the RCMP for not mobilizing sufficient resources quickly enough, given the urgency of the situation. "It is treacherous, but somebody should go — somebody needs to go — and the RCMP are the ones who need to spearhead it," Kakekaspan said.