The 12th Annual Hudson Bay Quest was a resounding success. Martin Massicotte has been crowned this year’s winner and the official results are as follows:
1st Martin Massicotte
2nd Denis Tremblay
3rd Ryan Anderson
4th Peter McClelland
5th Jennifer Freking
6th Jesse Terry
7th Shawn McCarty
8th Blake Freking
9th Dan DiMuzio
10th David Daley
11th Justin Allen
DNF Charlie Lundie
DNF Tom Terry
Here’s a video by Katie DeMeulles of Team Wapusk and musher Dave Daley finishing off the race. Justin Allen and his team are also in the footage. Enjoy!
The Hudson Bay Quest has finished with unofficial results posted. Tom Terry was the last musher heading into Churchill after being caught in a ground blizzard yesterday and the official word is that he scratched from the race. Tom arrived into Churchill today and the other mushers were there to welcome him in.
Tom Terry safely into Churchill. Courtesy Hudson Bay Quest.
Overall the mushers had good weather over the course of the race. Some had to battle through the ground blizzard that blew in at the tail end of the race. While time results have been posted, the official place finishes will be revealed tonight at the mushers banquet at 5:30 pm in Churchill.
I won’t speculate as to the 2015 winner at this point as the times can be adjusted by the race marshal for different infractions over the course. Stay tuned for final results in tomorrow’s post!
Mushers Dave Daley #3 and Justin Allen #4 arrive at the Churchill finish in this year’s Hudson Bay Quest. Courtesy Hudson Bay Quest.
An eager participant of this years Hudson Bay Quest. Laurie Dingwall photo.
Justin Allen in bib #4. Laurie Dingwall photo.
An avid fan congratulates her grandpa at the finish in Churchill. Laurie Dingwall photo.
Musher Dave Daley congratulates one of his race dogs. Laurie Dingwall photo.
2015 Musher Justin Allen and sled dog post race. Laurie Dingwall photo.
Wearing Bib #13 Martin Massicotte glided into Churchill at 20:17:20 CST. An extremely fast run of the course from Gillam to Churchill. Even though he came into Churchill first the official results and winner will not be announced until the Mushers banquet on Monday at 17:30.
The weather is cooperating for this years start with the frigid cold temperatures waning this past week and providing somewhat more comfortable conditions for both dogs and mushers alike. Good luck to all teams in the race and stay safe on the tundra!
Experiencing Churchill in the winter months potentially can shock one’s physical system. Weathering the weather is really a ‘mind over matter’ concept. However, the beauty of the landscape and the shimmering northern lights soothe the pain of occasional frigid temperatures. Amazing beauty in the Churchill region has a way of heightening one’s pleasure under any circumstances.
The addition of Natural Habitat’s Aurora Pod on the Hudson Bay coast now provides another option for experiencing the many facets of natural beauty in Churchill. The frozen bay, precambrian sheild, boreal forest under the aurora borealis in one location enables travelers to experience the Arctic feel in a panoramic setting.
Natural Habitat photographer under the northern lights in Churchill. Brad Josephs photo.
Natural Habitat staff member Alex under the amazing aurora borealis in Churchill. Brad Josephs photo.
Incredible northern lights above the boreal forest in Churchill. Brad Josephs photo.
Northern lights with the warm aurora pod in the foreground in Churchill. Brad Josephs photo.
Northern lights above the Wapusk Adventures dog yard and teepee in Churchill, Manitoba. Brad Josephs photo.
Aurora borealis above road to Churchill. Brad Josephs photo.
If you have been to Churchill you probably have heard of Button Bay. If you have been to Churchill in the Summer you might have even ventured by boat to the bay itself.
Sow and cub in the rocks off Eskimo Point. Stefanie Fernandez photo.
Button Bay lies northwest of Churchill just a short spin by zodiac around the tip of Eskimo Point and Fort Prince of Wales. From the fort you can gaze across the thickets of willows and wildflowers to the often glassy surface of the secluded inlet. It’s also possible to look across the Churchill River past Fort Prince of Wales on the point and see the glimmering surface of the bay.
In Button Bay the water is crystal clear and belugas are quite visible under water. Steve Selden photo.
The bay was commemorated by Sir Thomas Button in 1612 when he and the crew of the Resolution ventured to “New Wales”, as he named it for England. He is credited with securing the lands along the west coast of the Hudson Bay for England. The Nelson River estuary and Port Nelson within those lands, were named after the Master of the Resolution who perished on the journey and is buried there.
Sir Thomas Button.
On May 15, 1912, 300 years later, when Manitoba’s boundaries were extended, Port Nelson was included in the new territory designated to the province. Thomas Button is therefore known to be the first white man to visit this area in Manitoba.
Polar Bear along the coast of Button Bay. Natural Habitat Adventures photo.
Button Bay is a well known beluga whale hot spot in the summer. On the fairly rare occasions when whales are scarce in the Churchill River and mouth of the Hudson Bay, the 20 minute motor over to Button Bay usually produces pods of whales following the capelin run. On the journey by boat or zodiac, there’s always the chance of spotting a polar bear or two nestled along the rocky coast. I have often seen bears dipping paws into the bay or pulling up onto the rocks after a swim.
Button Bay is a little secret gem of the region. the bay itself is considered part of the Nunavut territory.
