Churchill MB Bears and Whales

[scout88305]

Went to Manitoba again while others were enjoying NH and Air Venture. Gotta say that it is pretty incredible to fly 8 hours north and see Polar bears dragging around whale vertebrae under your wing. Sodak, Dave, and others from SC.org have taken this trip quite a few times and it really is truly amazing. There was still visible ice out on the bay near York Factory. We sighted about 70 bears from the Hayes river to maybe 20 miles south of town. That's roughly 80 miles. Also wads of Caribou out on the tidal flats. While in town there were many more bears in the area for late July than normal. A Beluga carcass that beached near town was part of the reason. "Swimmers" (paddling bears) leaving the melting ice pack were arriving also. There were helicopters flying bears in cargo nets from town that were darted and firecracker shotgun rounds heard often throughout the day in the community. An area we had hiked on wed; Manitoba Conservation was hazing bears from the same location thur. This year I didn't bring a firearm but since I like to hike that won't happen again. We rented a truck for $80 Canadian and drove every mile of road. Checked out the cold war rocket range and snooped in the buildings which was real interesting. Had planned on walking out to the Ithaca Ship wreck at low tide but without a weapon I just didn't think that was wise. We were lazy with the camera so not the greatest shots.

 

[scout88305]

 

[cubdriver2]

Looked like a great time, did you get to see that turbine goony fly?

Glenn

 

[scout88305]

No Glenn but I saw it taxi. Told the pilot I liked the color and he asked if I wanted to trade. lol

 

[skywagon8a]

Is that the same ship which used to be off shore with a "for sale" sign painted on the side?

When I was there in the early 80s the fuel price was relatively low when compared to other remote locations. Is it still that way?

 

[scout88305]

The Ithica is about 5 miles south of town and grounded in 1959 due to storm, broken rudder and snapped anchor chain. The only gas station in town (see pic.) sells unleaded for $1.85 a liter. We paid $2.13 for 100LL and Red Lake, Ont. and $2.00 farther north at Gillam air, Pat the owner is a nice guy. So no 100LL available at Churchill. They are not the most GA user
friendly airport for services but a few jugs of car gas in town takes care of the issue.

 

[Cubus Maximus]

My friend Bill Linder helped unload Ithaca's cargo after the storm.

 

[jrussl]

Thanks for posting the pictures Eric.

They bring back fond memories of my trip in 2006 with some other SCub.org questionable characters.

 

[scout88305]

Thanks for posting the pictures Eric.

They bring back fond memories of my trip in 2006 with some other SCub.org questionable characters.

View attachment 26956


That's a great picture. Some of them might found themselves thrown in the compound for a night LMAO

 

[pilotski]

http://www.vintagewings.ca/VintageN...A/A-Nice-Day-to-Fly--The-Jack-Lamb-Story.aspx

 

[scout88305]

 

[slowmover]

Sounds like a great trip. Is that Randy Murphree in the orange shirt?

 

[jrussl]

Is that Randy Murphree in the orange shirt?

Sure is. We had an epic trip in 2006.

 

[cafi19]

That trip is still on my "must do" list. I want to see polar bears, caribou and musk ox in their natural wild habitat. That being said....not TOO close to the bears. Not interested in being their snack.

cafi

 

[SteveE]

That trip is still on my "must do" list. I want to see polar bears, caribou and musk ox in their natural wild habitat. That being said....not TOO close to the bears. Not interested in being their snack.

cafi

Go to cabelas. Lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[cafi19]

I prefer the live variety.

 

[sodak]

Sounds like a great trip. Is that Randy Murphree in the orange shirt?

Thats the last picture of Murph right before a polar bear ate him, He fall off his bush wheel while refueling in Wapusk national park.