Feb 2009 - Tour du Nord V: this time, it's personal

[geowit]

I'm planning on being there and possibly have a passenger. Bob (from the ferry-from-hell Trip) said he would consider it as long as no boats are involved.

[Oldpaint]

I've been evaluating whether or not to go. I'm pretty certain I will go now, very definately if the trip is to James Bay West. If so I'd be glad to take a co-pilot to the Victor Mine.

I found some pictures of buildings in Attawapiskat. Pete - pay attention to the second one.

[NHRef]

Quote: Originally Posted by Oldpaint (original)

I've been evaluating whether or not to go. I'm pretty certain I will go now, very definately if the trip is to James Bay West. If so I'd be glad to take a co-pilot to the Victor Mine.

I found some pictures of buildings in Attawapiskat. Pete - pay attention to the second one.

Good! They have a hospital! And now Ross has fodder for another scavenger hunt . . .

[NHRef]

Brian, between us we'll have the hardware. If they come through again (I just haven't approached Gary yet), MOP will provide spare parts on a contingency basis to complement what the drivers bring.

Start thinking about what you'll wear . . . You'll need both comfortable clothes for the drive AND very warm gear for the outdoors. The night we arrived in Radisson my MINI indicated it was -31 degrees F! (But it was a dry cold . . . )

If you want to stand out watching the Northern Lights, for example, you'll need the boots, gloves, etc.

Those items, too, are on a list somewhere (online and on my other computer).

[NHRef]

[blalor]

Oh, I hadn't even thought about the aurora. Sweet!

[NoNo]

The balaclava is key. Hmm....I have upgraded snow pants, gloves, and a jacket since that picture. Layer, layer, layer!

[LePew]

I found the shared/personal items to take checklist from the 2007 run to Labrador. Uploaded to Google docs -- hope I didn't miss anyone's email on the invite list. I'm sure I've missed someone.

I've got my passport, credit cards, TomTom programmed with the location of ALL Tim Hortons, FRS radios, a can of WD40, warm clothing, and a tow strap ready to go. I think that's the about the minimum requirement for each driver. All else can be begged or borrowed or bought as needed.

Brian -- since you asked first -- if you want to be in charge of this I think you just might just find yourself appointed.

[MinorRoadsKill]

Quote: Originally Posted by NHRef (original)

Good! They have a hospital! And now Ross has fodder for another scavenger hunt . . .

Actually, the scavenger hunt will be in Moose Factory.

Find:

1) Snow (1 point)
2) Frozen Moose (2 points)
3) unfrozen polar bear (100 points, if you survive)

[MinorRoadsKill]

I've decided to try something new during this year's trip: a raffle.

Proceeds will go to a local charity in either Attawapiskat or Chisasibi.

Raffle Tickets: $5, US or Canadian

Prize: A hardcover copy of Through Black Spruce, by Joseph Boyden, which takes place in Moose Factory. It won the this year's Giller Prize (Canadian fiction, English). I figure it's appropriate, given that all we'll be seeing for a while on the trip is Black Spruce.

The cover below is the US edition. The Canadian edition features a depressing picture of a guy walking through the snow. I believe that to win literary prizes in Canada, your book cover has to be depressing.

For some reason, there are no black spruce on either cover.



In Canada, to avoid gambling laws, raffle winners must successfully answer a skill testing question.
The question will be: See that tree over there? Is it a black spruce?

[squid]

Can't inline Chapter's pics ...

[uptick]

Anyone ever had MOOSE munch? If I'm able to go [to the Moose-sunny place] I'll bring a drum of this stuff.

uh, what do they deep-fry up there?

[LePew]

Looks like the die has been cast! Yippee! I've wanted for a long time to see where they actually make moose.

[Oldpaint]

Who would have believed its north of Frostbite Falls?

[LePew]

Old but interesting article:

Riding the Polar Bear Express