Churchill

[onceacop]

Flying to Churchill and York Factory in early Aug...

Any places interesting you would reccomend in this general vicinity? Old villages, any landmarks, historic sites that a cub on floats can visit safely?

Thanks in advance

[just clearing the trees]

Port Nelson could be a really cool stop for you. It's south of Churchill on the coast at the mouth of the Nelson River. The town has been long abandoned but the remains are still visible though heavily overgrown. There is an island out in the bay with a huge train bridge connecting it to the mainland. There's also a huge wharf off the southwest (I think) side of the island and a shipwreck just on the opposite side that you can get to at low tide. I never made it to the town itself because I had to wait on the island but I could make out the remains of the town from there. The wharf and train bridge are quite broken down, but I think you could make it across the bridge. In early August you might be able to see some wildlife there, if you were to hold off until early September (although the weather isn't as good) you'd be almost guaranteed to see some moose and caribou on the way up there. I'm told there's also Beluga whales quite frequently in the mouth of the river that are plainly visible from the air. Beware though, when you go tramping through the willows that there can also be seals on the island which obviously attracts polar bears.
On the island there is a great little sandy spot to beach on the south side of the island just to the east of the wharf. The shore on the mainland looked to be a nice sandy beach as well (if I remember correctly.) Watch out for the tides though, if you're not watching they can pick you up off the beach and float you into the middle of the willows. Also, you are on the coast of Hudson's Bay so the wind and waves can get real ignorant real quick
The history of Port Nelson is pretty neat and almost completely forgotten, it was supposed to be what Churchill became. The pictures of it when it was established are amazing compared to what you see there now. If you'd like some pictures of it from when I was there, PM me with your email address. I may even have co-ordinates, not that you'd need them.
Link to the history of Port Nelson: http://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/mb_history/08 ... lway.shtml It also gives some nice to know weather info, such as tides rising at 6.5 feet per hour, highly erratic winds, strong currents, all of which wrecked alot of ships, so again, be careful.
Also, York is quite historic on it's own. I'll look through my logbook and try to remember some other neat stops. If you'd like I could probably also give you co-ordinates for lodges, camps, etc. along the way in case you need to make unexpected stops.

[King of Obsolete]

when you are in churchill make sure to walk out on low tide to the ship that was run aground. you will see it when you fly in. it is quite the site. then look at the rocket range where they launched those rockets for all those years. can't forget MISS PIGGY, c-47 that crashed landed for lambair. the termial in churchill has lots of neat stuff in it for the tourist plus the muesum too.

thansk

[red003]

there is another shipwreck about halfway between york factory and cape tatnum that is worth a look, nanuk goose camp isn't too much further east along the coast, either. up on cape churchill you can see some research stations...the more southerly one is called nestor 1 and has a little esker strip. the coastline all along there is phenomenal, too.

check out prince of wales fort if you get a chance and definitely set aside some time for york factory. the cemetery is pretty neat and make sure you carve your name in the bell tower.

the beluga whales in the mouths of the hayes and the nelson are probably the highlight as far as i'm concerned tho.

[King of Obsolete]

also a very good book to read is TRUE NORTH by george erickson who flew a cub to churchill and area and he went across north canada. lots of good details in the book.

thansk

[gapper]

Will you be landing on floats at York Factory? If you do, try to land just before high-tide. Land just upstream from the Fort and you should have no trouble. By august, the water is clear,so you can see the big rocks.(the size of school busses) Landing at Ten Schilling Creek is possible,but watch out for the boulders.

[onceacop]

Gapper,
So if I have a tide table I land near high tide and basicly the water receeds while I'm exploring. About how many feet would the tide swing be on the west coast? Assuming the bank isn't too steep the a/c will just be beached for awhile and I would assume there are lots of rocks so if it was windy the a/c may teeter a little on the boulders. Best look for a gravelly place to stop at. Are prevailing winds off the Bay or Westerly flow? Who here would reccomend a rifle or shotgun. I have a Guide gun in 45-70 or an Ithaca Riot 12 gauge. I am thinking that the historic sites like York may be Provincial parks or something or farther south they call it the Polar Bear Provincial park. Maybe firearms are not allowed out of the a/c in places like that. Any fuel south of Churchill? Excellent info here thanks a bunch.
Eric

[AntiNakedMan]

Gillam Air in Gillam (180 miles south of Churchill, 105 miles west of York Factory) sells avgas.

204-652-2109

Anti

[gapper]

Check your pm's onceacop

[spillvalve]

If you are going in early Aug. you are not going to see many bears, if any. Remember the bears are a protected species, so if you feel that you must absolutly be armed then take the gauge and get some crackers.

they are like a really loud fire cracker, call resources and see if you can get some.

The Ithica is neat and yes you can walk to it at low tide. In Churchill it self there are many gift shops to stop in. There is also the Eskimo museum so check that out too. (free admission).

The Belugas will still be in the harbour and there is a tour company, I think its called Sea North Tours, for about 80 bucks they will take you over to Fort Prince of Wales.

The tour includes the trip accross the harbour, park fees, the guided tour, and then about a hour and a half of whale watching. Bring lots of film as the Belugas come right beside the boat.

When your in town don't forget to go to Gypsies Bakery for a bite to eat.

Give Dave Daly a call if you want, He owns Wapusk General Store and he may be able to arrange a dog sled tour. He's got his sled on wheels for the summer.

If you want to, there is a fresh water lake near by called Twin Lake, I think, but you will have to arrange a pick up. It will take you right past the rocket range, the Ithica, and Miss Piggy before you get in to town.

Again give Dave a call, or Nelson Morberg, in Thompson, they are excellent people and will take good care of you.

Any more questions don't hesitste to ask. You WILL have lots of fun.

P.S. Nelson may be able to arrange fuel for you at Churchill.

Spill

[shimmydampner]

Port Nelson could be a really cool stop for you.

Port Nelson would be a great spot to explore some history if you're adventurous. It's right near York Factory (I don't have a map close by but within 20 miles I'd guess) and it'd be almost directly on a track from there to Churchill. I'd bring a shotgun with more than just cracker shells. If you stumble on a polar bear in the bushes it could take more than just loud noises to protect yourself. Manitoba Hydro has a weather station there and they always go in with two guys and a 12-guage. You may not see them from the air that time of year, but that doesn't mean they're not potentially there.
It is a neat spot but it can get hairy in there quick with fast-rising tides and the potential for big wind and waves to come on quick. If you get a good weather day to check it out and your timing is good with the tides, you won't be disappointed.
Gillam is probably the best location for fuel relative to your destination, but depending on where you're coming from on your way up to York, if Gillam is not a viable option there is of course Thompson to the south west. Also south of Gillam and slightly to the east there is a lodge right at God's Lake Narrows with a nice big dock and fuel. John is the guy to talk to there. There is another lodge at God's River but I don't know if they have fuel or not. If you do go there, watch out for rocks which are everywhere between the island and the community. It's not impossible to land there, but a half a dozen inspection passes to memorize the rocks are required. Landing in the river itself might be the better option, and that's where the lodge is anyways. Whatever you do, don't dock at the only "dock" that is at the community or you will get a very harsh talking to from a very large possibly angry native man who doesn't like airplanes at his private "dock."
Oh, and you could always make the slight detour and stop in at lovely Shamattawa, Manitoba's best kept secret romantic third world getaway! Just remember to keep your head down and stay low!

[Kosiw]

Does anyone have any pictures they can post of Fort Churchill, the old airbase at the airport....I flew through there last fall and only saw the outline of the old row housing near the east-west runway....I lived in those barracks housing in the early 70's as a kid when my folks were posted there...would be neat to see any aerial or ground photos of that area of the airport....

Thanks

[onceacop]

If you are going in early Aug. you are not going to see many bears, if any.
Spill

Maybe at Churchill but flying the coast low and slow south for a few hours yielded a gob of sightings for a group last year. I'm hoping the same holds true this year. They claimed to have seen 50 and with the photos they have I believe them. Most of the tourists that fly their personal a/c follow the tracks in and follow them out again. Guess the real wildlife comes with the cost of sticking your neck out a little more. So is Oct when Churchill starts loading up with bears??

[rigpiggy]

use the ithaca, put 3 of thesehttp://www.shomer-tec.com/site/product.cfm?id= ... 8C5069E283
in followed with 2 regular slugs. Also get some bear spray

[King of Obsolete]

for fuel for the plane or a place to stay make arrangemnt with one of the many lodges that you will be flying over. august is a slow time for them and they always have fuel. USA cash goes along way in canada, LOL

talk to pat at gillam air, he knows everyone on that side of the province. he is also on this BB too. PM him, his handle is FLOATER.

thansk

[Four1oh]

use the ithaca, put 3 of thesehttp://www.shomer-tec.com/site/product.cfm?id= ... 8C5069E283
in followed with 2 regular slugs. Also get some bear spray

rubber would just make a polar bear hungrier. Plus, I don't think even JFK's assassin could get 4 shots off before a polar bear pinned him. If you're going to carry a gun, load to kill. If you want to make noise, shoot over their heads...

[rigpiggy]

Normally I would agree w/ you, however, since he maybe in a park where even carrying maybe illegal, i'm trying to suggest a middle road. go to the best bear gun thread

[shimmydampner]

Park or not, that place is far too remote to run into anyone outside of the actual communities, let alone anyone who would give you shit for carrying a gun.

[FSS]

One important thing is have up to date tide tables. During my tenure in YQ, there were more than a few who lost their lives on this coast, some of who were never seen again. One incident was a pilot from PA, biggest Chinese guy I ever saw, was doing some Beaver work down the coast. Came in one day and told me this story of spending that night running his a/c as he got caught in low tide. He kept the a/c going in enough water to avoid washing up on shore and damaging his floats or worse, and due to darkness and large boulders, unable a taxi or take off. Guess was pretty long harrowing night, but was able to taxi out and get off without incident after tide came in. The shores there look mighty fine and nice at high tide, but are littered with car sized boulders at low tide. He was lucky he had sufficient fuel and could keep awake. So well prepare yourself, very unforgiving country and that water is damn cold, oh, a gun, yes, I have some polly bears stories, too, but enough history for today. Actually would love to go with ya.
Keep alert, watch for other aircraft.

[overrun]

The bears are around Churchill from the time the bay is starts to open until it is frozen enough for them to go hunt seals (May long weekend until mid-novemeber) The mama bears will travel inland to have their cubs and the papas basically fast as there is not much for them to eat until they get back on the ice in fall. If you go on a guided tour at Fort Prince of Wales the interpreter will have a shotgun. Cracker shells are very effective however as previously mentioned load a couple of slugs as a last resort and keep shooting until you are out of bullets, then re-load more slugs on the run, turn and shoot some more. Polar bears heart beat is very slow which takes a long time to pump out the blood. If you go un-guided you will be fine carrying your own shotgun for protection. ps Don't wander to that rock "over there" by yourself, During the summer there are numerous bears within 5 miles of town as the town dump was relocated closer to town a few years ago. Get a rental or call the taxi for some back roading to find the bears.
The belugas are great early August, a must see from a boat.
Have fun.

[yow2002]

[quote="King of Obsolete"]when you are in churchill make sure to walk out on low tide to the ship that was run aground. you will see it when you fly in. it is quite the site. then look at the rocket range where they launched those rockets for all those years. can't forget MISS PIGGY, c-47 that crashed landed for lambair. the termial in churchill has lots of neat stuff in it for the tourist plus the muesum too.

thansk[/quote]

Miss Piggy is a C-46 not a C-47