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polarbearshubbartpoint

by Churchill Wild Polar Bear Guide Andy MacPherson

The Oceans North Expedition led by Virginia Petch of Northern Lights Heritage Services spent a week up at Hubbard Point in early July, once again researching the wild history of the fabulous Hudson Bay coastline.

John Tronrud and I built the camp and kept everyone safe from large white fuzzy predators. Building it required moving considerable quantities of equipment, tents, electric fencing and even a 6×6 which was carefully loaded and moved up the coast on my precious Zodiac.

AndyatHubbartPointwithZodia

As usual, Hudson Bay weather and polar bears were a deciding factor in how to move and when, but for the most part the exploratory archeology was accomplished as needed.

John and I were lucky enough to spend 10 days living in luxury at our “Jack Batstones Oceanfront Villa” just south of Hubbard Point, while hosting the 10 enthusiastic archaeologists. Our accommodation needed a little tender love and care but soon became very livable if not a little drafty where the one wall had separated from the floor.

Mike splurged and provided some new bright yellow Arctic Ovens, which were of course far less drafty and much warmer for our guests. Our very lively electric fence kept the larger locals out while also allowing the much smaller neighbouring Arctic ground squirrels free access to John’s culinary treats. Kraft dinner and wieners were a favourite!

CampatHubbartPoint

Virginia Petch and her team plunged into the mysteries of Hubbard Point, trying to discover who lived there and when, and how they survived. Petch’s research indicated that the oldest dwellings dated back 900 years and belonged to the Thule culture which originated in coastal Alaska, but which eventually migrated down from the cooler climates found further north. Research also indicated that the Thule people survived on caribou, seal, walrus, and polar bear as well as numerous other small birds and mammals.

We had an action packed week of hiking two miles each morning and evening to and from Hubbard Point, and we were much luckier than in previous years when we were often hampered by inclement weather that kept us from reaching our destination by boat.

polarbearhubbartpoint

Bad weather hit on the day the camp was to be pulled out but we managed to move the campers to Churchill with a combination of boat to Seal River and then some quick flights from the Seal River Heritage Lodge landing strip to town. Final tear down and clean up was delayed a few days but was accomplished in relatively painless fashion with the help of Adam driving the Relic and Kimberly and Shayna assisting the boat loading off the beach.

While the locals were kept at bay by the electric fence and our constant attentiveness, we were still visited by no less than three sets of mothers and cubs, and all in all it was a successful outing.

I’m sure we’ll be seeing Virginia and her crew back at Hubbard Point for many years to come!

twilightathubbartpoint

 

Join the discussion 4 Comments

  • Noel Sawtell says:

    Hi Team, Noel Sawtell here from Brisbane Australia. We are planning to come and see your polar bears in 2018. Just a few questions regarding camera gear. I have a Canon 7D m ii, and a 60d. Reading and looking at photos it seems people have large lenses. If we decide to come over do I need to purchase a 500/600 mm Canon lens. I have the new version 100/400 Canon 11, would this be ok? In Australia the big lenses are 14,000 dollars. Also for the northern lights, I have a Sigma 18-35 would this be ok? Also, how far would we have to book to come in October 2018?

    Thanks, Noel.

    • Hi Noel,

      All good questions! Thanks! We’ll talk to one of our photographers and e-mail you back. Regarding booking, we haven’t set firm dates yet for 2018, but 2017 is already filling up fast.

      We’ll talk more via e-mail.

      Thanks Again!

  • Pat Sokolowski says:

    Sadly, Virginia Petch passed away Dec 8, 2018. Hubbard Point was her last expedition and one she held close to her heart. She will be remembered for her dedication and love for the North and its people.

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