From Winnipeg to Churchill

I caught the airplane from Winnipeg to Churchill very early in the morning. Was a tiny noisy airplane for a 2,5-hour flight. Winnipeg airport is not as small as someone would think for a remote city up north of Canada. Though the one in Churchill it is very little. Perhaps because of the remoteness, but the plane ticket from Amsterdam to Winnipeg was less pricy than the one from Winnipeg to Churchill!

I was wearing lots of layers following the advice of an experienced Actic-Eathwatcher who recommends wearing as much as possible the first day and then just seeing how it goes afterwards. The plane arrived as planned at 10am and Katrina –Earthwatch coordinator- was waiting for us. We headed up to the CNSC –Churchill Northern Studies Center, 25 minutes-ride by one of the four roads in the area. Landscape is amazing, vast and absolutely white. Some pine trees are standing almost covered by snow, though this year it hasn’t been so much of it.

We arrived to the “new” building and Katrina told us we’re the first group in these new facilities, which happens to be very comfortable. The old building is just next to the new one and now is being used as storage. It has the same capacity as the new one but looks much smaller! There was a brief tour around, and explanation of how things work: the laundry, cafeteria, dorms, recreational and quiet areas. We met up for a short trial of the gear to rent –in case that was needed- and then went outside for a short walk. Temperature was -16C with almost no wind which made it chilly and fresh. I was wearing my normal clothes, which I use during winter in Holland and did not suffer from cold. However, I highly recommend good gloves or even two layers of them, was the only item out of the normal stuff that I was wearing.

I saw the constructions from old Canadian-American military bases which stop functioning here years ago. I heard there are still some rockets out there and even saw the head of one popping out of the snow! After one-hour walk we went back to the building. I was not tired but noticed that my hands and feet were getting colder and colder. We had some time to spare in the afternoon before the next group arrived and had dinner together. Afterwards we had a get-to-know-you meeting where everyone explained a bit of what they do for a living and which is the main interest of joining this adventure. Session was lead by Dr. Peter Kershaw, director of the CNSC and who is leading the expedition. After short introductions, Kershaw gave a preamble of what’s the expedition about and a general explanation of what we will be doing the next 10 days. Everything sounds challenging and exciting! I can’t wait to wear all my gear and to go outside to give my small little bit of contribution to save the planet!

"No one person has to do it all but if each one of us follow our heart and our own inclinations we will find the small things that we can do to create a sustainable future and a healthy environment."
John Denver