Another trip way north

[Houndoc]

Last week I once again flew to Churchill, Manitoba, Canada for the Hudson Bay Quest Dog Sled race. We landed on a clear, sunny day- with a high of -17F.

While in Churchill, I was also able to visit with their local conservation officer and learned some fun new things about polar bears!



Race route covers a little over 200 miles of roadless wilderness, although at times follows power lines and train tracks.




After a couple of days in town organizing final details (I serve on the organizing committee for the race as well as head trail veterinarian), the race started on the morning of Thursday, March 13.

To keep the dog teams slowed down between the dog yard and the start line, we used snowmobiles as brakes. I drove for 4 or 5 teams this way.







Once the teams where off and running, I left with a small group to travel the entire distance by snowmobile (almost exactly the same distance as traveling from my house in Granstsville to visit my brother in Green River, WY.)

 

[Houndoc]

Our first leg was to Lamprey (see map above), where we made a short break for lunch (caribou steaks) before starting up the Deer River, where we covered 50+ miles on the ice. Ice surfaces varied from nice snow, to clear glare (don't stop- no traction), to slush and water over flowing on top of the ice. It is my favorite section of the trail.

In addition to the views, the we also crossed tracks of moose, caribou, otters and polar bears (sow with 2 cubs)





The momma bear's tracks do not show up very well since she broke through the crust each step, but the boot print in the one photo is my heavy duty Arctic boot that measures little over 12" long.




We took a short break at the mid-race check point, M'Clintock where the dogs have full vet exams and 6 hour minimum rest. We left at sunset, wanting to stay ahead of the teams and rode until the next cabin, at Owl River. We rolled in about 12:30 am, with an air temp about -25F.



Cabins at Owl River as seen the next morning




We made much better time the next morning, between a smoother trail (none of it is groomed, most of it just made by repeat snowmobile traffic) and daylight. Few more pics from along the trail.





We reached the finish in Gillam in time to settle in, eat and get ready for the teams to come in (every dog again gets a full exam at the end.) Most of the teams came in between 8pm and 8am- thus sleeping was really not much of an option.

 

[Houndoc]

Our vet clinic was a works garage.



While up north, also tried a few Canadian activities....5 pin bowling (balls have no holes and are about the size of a small cantaloupe) and Curling (harder than it looks, I always overshot the 'house' with my 'stone')




Also tried a little ice fishing on the Nelson River before flying home. No luck, but was a nice day to be out as we got above zero!

 

[Cherokeester]

Hardcore to say the least, very cool.

 

[Houndoc]

Hardcore to say the least, very cool.

So much more that could be done up there. Some of my friends (one I traveled the train with and the one who took me out ice fishing) are planning a trip next year on snowmobiles that will be 800-900 miles each way, running north of Gillam (where I ended.) Each community they travel through will be roughly 200 miles apart and most the trip in open tundra and sea ice. I am jealous.

 

[Rot Box]

Wow great report. Looks like a good (and cold!) time

 

[Gravy]

Thanks for sharing Drew! Cool story!

 

[Houndoc]

Wow great report. Looks like a good (and cold!) time

Cold is relative. Best weather yet of my 6 trips up there.

 

[Herzog]

That is awesome. Not sure I could handle that kind of cold though.

 

[Houndoc]

That is awesome. Not sure I could handle that kind of cold though.

Dress right and it isn't too bad. Didn't even get frost bite (this year at least)