There are a few reasons why I can't see handheld outdoor operation working from Cambridge Bay, NU Temperatures: https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/canada/cambridge-bay/climate Average HIGH temperatures, WITHOUT windchill Jan -29C Feb -36C Mar -25C Apr -16C May -6C Jun +6C Jul +13C Aug +10C Sep +3C Oct -7C Nov -18C Dec -25C
I work outdoors on the airport ramp in winter, gloves won't work. Maybe your Canada Goose parka will keep keep you warm, but your feet will rapidly loose heat if you're not moving. At what temperature does the radio quit working? At our winter temperatures many plastics will shatter (been there, done that) like glass if stressed.
Over winter the sun sets on November 30th, it appears again on the horizon the following year on January 11th
During the brief summer, biting insects are a problem throughout the north https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/09/150915-Arctic-mosquito-warming-c...
OK, you're outside on warmer day, but cold enough so the bugs aren't a problem, it can be done, but what about the rest of the year?
And even then, one person outdoors aiming an antenna, operating a radio, and keeping a log (audio recording of the QSOs would work) from a sought after grid, not having any previous experience, I think is at a reasonable risk of being overwhelmed and discouraged.
Ron VE8RT in Yellowknife where it's much nicer, mostly cloudy and +1C at the moment.