by Steve Selden | Sep 1, 2015 | Churchill News
Sled – dogs in Churchill only have seven more months until the start of the annual Hudson Bay Quest! This year’s race will start in Churchill and end in Gillam as the course direction alternates each year. This year should be another thrilling race as last year’s champion Martin Massicotte will try to defend his title! Churchill is an amazing place to visit in March not only for the Hudson Bay Quest but to see the mystical northern lights as well!
Hudson Bay Quest dog eager to run. Laurie Dingwall photo.
by Steve Selden | Mar 14, 2015 | Churchill News
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.
Stay posted for more updates on the 2015 Hudson Bay Quest!
Martin Massciotti first into Churchill. Courtesy Hudson Bay Quest.
Hudson Bay Quest finish line in Churchill. Courtesy Hudson Bay Quest.
Come see the amazing northern lights and next year’s Hudson Bay Quest.
by Steve Selden | Mar 13, 2015 | Churchill News
Start of the Hudson bay Quest. Courtesy Hudson Bay Quest.
All 13 mushers competing in the 2015 Hudson Bay Quest are off and running from Gillam, Manitoba towards the finish line in Churchill, Manitoba. Mushers and dog teams can be tracked live throughout the race on: Hudson Bay Quest 2015 Live Tracker. The race skirts Wapusk National Parc, a major polar bear denning protected area, to the east.
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!
Hudson Bay Quest 2014. Brad Josephs photo.
Here are the mushers competing:
Blake Freking
Charlie Lundie
Dan DiMuzio
Dave Daley
Denis Tremblay
Jennifer Freking
Jesse Terry
Justin Allen
Martin Massicotte
Peter McClelland
Ryan Anderson
Shawn McCarty
Tom Terry
by Steve Selden | Dec 28, 2014 | Churchill News
March 13th marks the start of this year’s Hudson Bay Quest dogsled race. This year the race begins in Gillam, MB and finishes in Churchill, MB. The start date is slightly earlier this year as it has been closer to St. Patrick’s Day (March 17) the past few years. should be a festive winter atmosphere as the mushers guide their sleds toward Churchill.
Sled dogs in training for the Hudson Bay Quest. Brad Josephs photo.
Take a look at the 2015 updated musher roster and race map courtesy of Hudson Bay Quest website.
The OFFICIAL 2015 HBQ race roster is as follows:
1.) Martin Massicotte
2.) Dan DiMuzio
3.) Dave Daley
4.) Justin Allen
5.) Tom Terry
6.) Peter McClelland
7.) Jesse Terry
8.) Jennifer Freking
9.) Charlie Lundie
10.) Blake Freking
11.) Normand Casavant
12.) Denis Tremblay
13.) Ryan Anderson
14.) Shawn McCarty
15.) Leonard McPherson
16.) Al Hardman
This is the official list as our Race Marshal has reviewed the racer’s qualifications. This list reflects the order of registration, and will be used for the bib draw. Welcome to the 2015 HBQ!
by Steve Selden | Oct 20, 2014 | Tour News
Churchill has no shortage of polar bears at the moment. In fact, the 2014 season has started with a “bang”…literally. Conservation officers and the Polar Bear Alert squad have been busy patrolling the area. With 10-12 bears currently in the polar bear holding facility, formerly known as the polar bear jail, there’s a clear indication that this could be one of the most frenetic seasons in a long time.
Natural Habitat guide Karen Walker has been leading a group of quilters from the states around the Churchill area and they have had great fortune in sightings so far.
A lone polar bear skirts a pond in Churchill. Eric Rock photo.
“I’ve got a group of quilters on this trip. Luana Rubin is the organizer of the group. She came on Justin’s polar bear trip last year and this year she brought a group of quilters up with her. You can check out Luana’s website at eQuilter.com” reported Karen. The group has been connecting with local quilting groups and enthusiasts in both Winnipeg and Churchill.
After exploring Winnipeg for a day, the travelers enjoyed a mostly clear flight up to Churchill, allowing vivid views of the post-glacial – thermokarst ponds and rivers covering the land along the way. Crossing over Gillam to the south allowed a view of the hydro dam. After lunch at gypsy’s in Churchill the group experienced an orientation of the area through a visit to the Parcs Canada visitor center and a look at a polar bear den exhibit followed by some time at the revered Eskimo museum to take in the rich history of the region.
Polar bear in the willows in Churchill. Eric Rock photo.
Heading out to the tundra of the Churchill Wildlife Management Area, along the Launch Road, travelers spotted their first polar bear. The male bear “was a little ways away, but it was still quite exciting for the group” according to Karen. After a quiet, relaxing evening on the tundra, enhanced by a wine and cheese offering, the group was afforded a nice view of an arctic hare on the drive back to the launch.
A planned trip out east the following day, took a turn a short way down the trail with the appearance of two bears near the Tundra Lodge, so the polar rover meandered over in that direction. A couple of other groups on rovers were in the area so one polar bear seemed a bit skittish with the crowd. As the first two rovers headed to the lodge, Karen’s rover settled in and remained near the pond and observed the adult female. Slowly becoming more comfortable, her curiosity peaked and she approached the rover. Pausing at around 30 feet of the back deck, she watched tentatively for a long while, grooming herself and then napping while the group took in the scene for over an hour. The rover then proceeded over by and just past the lodge and they settled in to watch a couple of “teenage” sub adult bears spar a bit. After exhausting their energy, they settled into the willows for a rest. “We were a little ways from them, but it was still amazing to see” Karen reported.
Two polar bears sparring near the tundra Lodge. Eric Rock photo.
On the other side of the lodge was an adult male that was napping in the open. This bear made stilted moves at rising but only lifted his head and then returned to resting. After a couple of travelers and Karen headed across Christmas Lake Esker and up to Halfway Point. Coveys of ptarmigan along the way, mostly already suited in their winter camouflage white, scurried ahead of the rover winding between willow stands.
“The weather and soft lighting was beautiful today. We had snow showers several times and some sunny breaks, and everything in between. It changed about every twenty minutes or so. Quite the majestic day on the tundra…tomorrow we’re back on the tundra. We’ll try to get out east this time” stated Karen, fulfilled from an amazing day.
