The ice and snow build up around the falls coupled with the peacefulness of the frozen forest create a serenity of a forgotten place. The ice – encrusted falls are reached via boardwalk that winds down through the forest to a pair of staggered observation platforms. The display continued for about an hour giving the group a preview of more prominent lights farther North.Once in Thompson, the group boarded a bus and made the journey to Pisew Falls, a regular stop on Arctic Summer excursions though rarely accessible in Winter. While stopped at the station in Gillam, this years starting point for the Hudson Bay Quest, the night sky to the South unveiled a slight glimmer of green aurora and most guests were able to watch from their sleeper- cabin rooms on that same side. Karen and her fourth group of the season experienced some magic on the 36 hour train ride from Winnipeg to Churchill. With consistently frigid temperatures in the negative digits all month long, the night sky has remained clear enough for magnificent displays. Last year’s overall stormy and overcast weather have given way to this years more clearer skies for optimal viewing. Guide Karen Walker and her third and fourth groups of the season were chasing the northern lights in the Arctic seaport of Churchill. While awaiting the final results of the Hudson Bay Quest to be posted, we can relive what some avid travelers from Natural Habitat Adventures experienced the past couple of weeks. More in depth analysis of the race to follow in the next few weeks. Great Northern spirit was shared by all!įinal standings and race observations can be found at the Hudson Bay Quest Facebook page. The festivities culminated this past Monday with an awards banquet in the Churchill town complex gymnasium. Perhaps the lack of snow in Churchill this past Fall polar bear season contributed to teams not being prepared enough to conquer this years event. 2011 champion Charlie Lundie, Dan DiMuzio, Earnest Azure, and David Daley, race co-founder and owner of Wapusk Adventures, all withdrew from the race before finishing. The 2012 Quest provided other challenges that all four Churchill mushers could not overcome. Meanwhile here’s a recap in pictures of some high “lights” of the winter. I will post some updates on the major issues facing Churchill in the coming months and year. Looking forward to Arctic Summer news and anything else that happens in Churchill in the few months in between now and then. Here are some photo’s from this years trips…still waiting on some more good aurora pics and will post them as soon as I get them.I have a few from traveler Jeremy Pearson…enjoy. A tour of the town complex, photo’s by the huge stone inukshuk behind the building on the shore of Hudson Bay and of course a sampling of a true Canadian sport….curling! Just to name some of the goings -on in the north country. Dog mushing this trip was with Blue Sky and Gerald Azur. and a stop at Bill Calnan’s B&B are always serene. Typical March activities are sandwiched around aurora viewing. While the last group departed Churchill just prior to the Hudson Bay Quest dogsled race commencing in Gillam,MB and finishing in Churchill, the travelers were privy to some Aurorafest happenings around town and locals high anticipation of the Quest race. This year groups have been wildly successful in sighting extended viewing periods of lights in the northern Arctic sky. the site is a leftover army base building converted into a warm aurora borealis viewing venue. Guide Karen Walker and her final Northern Lights group traveling with Natural Habitat Adventures experienced some fantastic aurora out at the Aurora Domes about 7km outside of town. Aurora Shines Down On Churchill Aurorafest
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