HUDSON BAY or BUST Road Trip II 2/18-2/23

[rfinprc]

Quote: Originally Posted by LordWinslow

Why not drop the map completely and just put the dates in the Box.

Winslow

How about something arctic in the center, like a polar bear or igloo. Seriously.

[DUCTTAPE]

Quote: Originally Posted by minimidtown

hmmm, what are the odds of a rental place at the border....Nanook's of the North Parkas, etc.?

I don't know if you mean for you, or Mr. Toes. Either way, I think you're out of luck about renting.

However, if it's for you, I have bought my whole family Air Force parkas on eBay last winter and this summer (off season) Do a search for N3B parka. That is the snorkel type. I have paid as low as $10 each (!), and cap it at about $20. I've seen them, though, sometimes sell for $200 (!)

These are warm, and roomie so you can move in them. I am 6' and bought an xl. My wife is 5'2 and I bought her a small and my 10 year old is, I dunno, short, and I bought him an xxs. Its big on him, but warm, and, he likes it!

Otherwise, I'm sure you can spend $3-400 on a North Face or Patagonia...

[DUCTTAPE]

Quote: Originally Posted by NHRef

Lookin' better and better . . .



Plan to do the Hudson Bay run on the Presidential weekend and go to San Diego to visit my son the following weekend. What's that, a temp swing of 100 degrees?

Be careful your body doesn't 'crack'

[DUCTTAPE]

Personally? I like the Dachshund...

[yellowmininy]

Quote: Originally Posted by DUCTTAPE

Personally? I like the Dachshund...

Can you make the load on the sled look like a Mini? (That looks like a mini Dachshund!)

[paddy]

I have not been keeping up with this thread. I guess I need a little more info on the route:

• where would we gather for the initial assult across the border
• would we be crossing as a group?
• where would the group be stopping for rest/fuel/food/facilities???
• any special alterations/precautions need to be made on the MINI???
• SPARES/tools
• you talk about the 381km run to the bay?? is that down and back to the rest/fuel stop
• any type of cost estimates
• what are the roads like getting up to the last leg

It maybe too early to start asking these questions, but these are just some of the questions that I have to answers for when the boss demands answers.....

[DUCTTAPE]

Quote: Originally Posted by paddy

I have not been keeping up with this thread. I guess I need a little more info on the route:

• where would we gather for the initial assult across the border
• would we be crossing as a group?
• where would the group be stopping for rest/fuel/food/facilities???
• any special alterations/precautions need to be made on the MINI???
• SPARES/tools
• you talk about the 381km run to the bay?? is that down and back to the rest/fuel stop
• any type of cost estimates
• what are the roads like getting up to the last leg

It maybe too early to start asking these questions, but these are just some of the questions that I have to answers for when the boss demands answers.....

I'll bite:

I think the consesus is that there would be several groups, all converging on the same spot. Probably north of Albany but definately south of the border. We would all cross and travel together from there. We might have to hide Winslow in a trunk, but that is a different issue.

I am finding out about 'winter precautions'. I do not think we need much besides heavy weight oil. For sure we will find out before hand. (Oh, and snows too, I would guess) My snows are not runflats and I carry a spare on trips like this. I can't imagine EVERYONE needs to carry a spare, but it would be a good idea of we had a bunch of 15, 16 and maybe 17" spares.

We can stop and start anywhere we like! I would imagine sleeping in Matagami area, maybe south of there as that is far, then at the end of the James Bay road, spending the next full day up there doing winter stuff (dog sledding?) then south, staying somewhere north of Montreal, then home

381km is the distance from the bottom of the James Bay road to Chisasabi. There is a check in station that is manditory at the bottom. At 3 in the morning, the guard is very talkative. About 200km there is a restaurant and gas, plus, gas at the other end.

Costs? I would think fuel, food. Motels are relatively cheap, as you can iamgine. $60 bucks Canadian maybe? Maybe we can get a block? $60 Canadian is about $40 US today.

As to road conditions, keep in mind northern Quebec is dependant on tourists, hydro power and gold mines. The public roads should be clear and will be maintained. Up to Matagami, there is a lot of gold mine vehicles. From Matagami to the end it is hydro company trucks. I recall reading a car travels the road every 15 minutes or so, but I would imagine that was summer, not winter. I emailed the tourist people up there a week ago and they said yes, the road IS maintained all winter.

In short, a 'tame', yet wild experience. Not many opportunities to travel to the ends of the earth, and be home within the week!

Ask any more questions. My pleasure to answer. My site also has pictures of my fall trip, if you missed those. And, I still like your flag!

[minimidtown]

Quote: Originally Posted by paddy

I have not been keeping up with this thread. I guess I need a little more info on the route:

• where would we gather for the initial assult across the border
• would we be crossing as a group?
• where would the group be stopping for rest/fuel/food/facilities???
• any special alterations/precautions need to be made on the MINI???
• SPARES/tools
• you talk about the 381km run to the bay?? is that down and back to the rest/fuel stop
• any type of cost estimates
• what are the roads like getting up to the last leg

It maybe too early to start asking these questions, but these are just some of the questions that I have to answers for when the boss demands answers.....

Hey Paddy, just follow ZZZIP and me!

[paddy]

Quote: Originally Posted by DUCTTAPE

Ask any more questions. My pleasure to answer. My site also has pictures of my fall trip, if you missed those. And, I still like your flag!

The answers that you have provided are starting to give a little better feeling about the whole trip.

U can throw Winslow in my boot as I have the windows tinted. It should not be too hard to get him through the checkpoint, as long as he stays quite and they don't use dogs...



My oldest son is a helo pilot in the U.S. Navy, I also fly the same flag at home and in the office.

[paddy]

Quote: Originally Posted by minimidtown

Hey Paddy, just follow ZZZIP and me!

I take it you are coming to grips with the crazy notion of the run as well?????

[DUCTTAPE]

Quote: Originally Posted by paddy

I take it you are coming to grips with the crazy notion of the run as well?????

a long, long time ago

[yellowmininy]

Quote: Originally Posted by DUCTTAPE

a long, long time ago

No offense, David, but I think Paddy was referring to Paul, though the levels of insanity might be hard to gauge here!

I'm still a 'maybe'. I plan to remain a maybe until insanity takes over completely (I predict around August 20th), or until I come to my senses (which might well be never).

[DUCTTAPE]

Quote: Originally Posted by yellowmininy

No offense, David, but I think Paddy was referring to Paul, though the levels of insanity might be hard to gauge here!

I'm still a 'maybe'. I plan to remain a maybe until insanity takes over completely (I predict around August 20th), or until I come to my senses (which might well be never).

Oh... my insanity level is only surpassed by my excitement level. I read this pre-coffee in the Am. Tomorrow, I'll wait 10 minutes.

[ice]

Quote: Originally Posted by DUCTTAPE

I would imagine sleeping in Matagami area, maybe south of there as that is far, then at the end of the James Bay road, spending the next full day up there doing winter stuff (dog sledding?) then south, staying somewhere north of Montreal, then home

I'll bring the olives!

[minimidtown]

Quote: Originally Posted by paddy

I take it you are coming to grips with the crazy notion of the run as well?????

You only go around once, so yea. And the various MINI events that I've participated in over the past year have been real highlights.If I'm going to freeze my ass off, at least it will be in good company! I'm now trying to make sense of the trip specific purchases. Rims for snows will be sized for autocross tires, someone up north will want some slightly used snows, arctic gear can go back on E-bay, well you get the idea.....