Sunday, January 27, 2013

Competing for the "Heartiest Winnipegers"? - U of M Igloos 2013


Twenty-one participants from Hong Kong to Flin Flon slept overnight in igloos they built, while overnight temperatures dropped to -25C with the windchill! In addition to building traditional Inuit igloos and sleeping in them, some highlights included:
  • Skijoring with Ashley Presengia and Kevin Roberts; Susie Strachan and Lorne Volk see www.snowmotion.ca 
  • Learning about Trapping from professional Trapper Richard, see www.manitobatrappers.com/
  • Signalling aircraft conducting a mock search and rescue "looking for a lost group in winter" with Chuck Wilson (Pilot), Al Northam (Ground) + 2 Spotters aboard with CASARA, see www.casara.ca
  • Exploring Inuit, Dene. Cree and Metis tips for cold weather clothing.
  • Learning Inuit, Dene, Cree and Metis games 
  • First time in the world, that we know of, that pizza was delivered to an igloo!   video is posted at the following site on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OIH9lQaR9I
THANK YOU to Kevin, Ashley, Susie, Lorne, Richard, Chuck, Al and their associations, Snowmotion, MB Trappers, CASARA, co-instructors D'Arcy, Brock, Sarah, Ameena and George, instructors Rick and Jill, and the terrific group of participants!

The Clipper Newspaper article by Angela Temple captured the spirit of the weekends camping in traditional Inuit-style igloos.

January 26-27th - 43 attended and 21 slept overnight!
February 2-3rd - 21 attended and 12 slept overnight!
Participants came from all over the world - Iran, Spain, Hong Kong, Nunavut, Swan River, Flin Flon, Dugald and Oak Bank - to name a few; and all ages!

Also, interested in flying for FREE = March 9th at St Andrews Airport, plus tower tours, "Theory of Flight", and careers from nursing to wildlife...in the field of aviation!...Guys are welcome to attend all ground events, women and girls fly free, it's Women of Aviation International day! Go to
http://www.womenofaviationweek.org/rsvpmaker/winnipeg/ and scroll down past the logos to register for your Free Flight! 











Karlyn brought her sister Devin to sleep with her Monday night, we'll post a photo they take from their cell phone shortly!


























Kevin and Ashley Skijoring!








Getting ready to signal to aircraft doing a CASARA "search" overhead.


Enthusiastic participant from Hong Kong!


Trapper Richard explaining conservation aspects of trapping.




































Cooking up beaver meat - "deliscious" was Karlyn's feedback.



















Furs to Fashion: Northern Clothing- survival or fashion?






Team of igloo builders!

Northern Games.


























Checking out how to 'bed down' in an igloo before heading out to sleep in the igloo.




Trying out the bedding before heading out to the igloo for the night.
January temperatures dropped to -25C
February temperatures dropped to -28C



Building igloos






Ordering a pizza, delivered to one of the igloos!













Claustophobic...one person slept outside in a rough wind breaker.