Aug 16 - Leaving Nester One!

For most of us, waking up to the sound of two gunshots firing from a rifle is quite unique! Lizette had finally won her golden prize, a nearly-full developed male caribou. Camp was buzzing with activity and scrambling. We had exactly one and a half hours before the helicopter was going to arrive for our first shuttle back to Camp Nanuq. To make sure we cleaned up both the animal and camp, efficiency and teamwork was desperately needed. 

One hour later, everything came together neatly and we had blown Julie, Carla, and Elizabeth’s expectations of tidiness away. 

Soon after, the chopper arrived for us. We enjoyed our aerial view of Wapusk as we traveled across the park. Once we landed we quickly loaded the van to the brim with all of our gear and shuttled back in groups of 4 to Camp Nanuq.

When we settled back at Camp Nanuq, we headed into Churchill to explore the community. Starting our tour at the towns complex, we eventually made our way to the main street to grab a sweet milkshake at the Lazy Bear Café. As we huddled around the table enjoying our treats we talked, laughed, shared, and played games. As we continued to walk around we stopped into a few shops, grabbing some souvenirs. 

Later in the evening a smaller group of students volunteered to help Julie bring the equipment back to the storage room at research center. Luckily we took the scenic route and were able to have a stunning view of the sunset across the Hudson Bay. We parked for a minute to enjoy the beauty in silence and a time to reflex on our journey so far. 

Dinner was delicious, we had homemade caribou stew, potatoes, salad and bannock. It was a very good last family dinner together as the ISAMR group as a whole. 

And once again after a busy day, we finished with a final gaze at the bright green Northern lights and dazzling stars before climbing into our bunks. We enjoyed a good nights sleep before our final day in Churchill and the beginning of our journey back home. 

-Cassandra and Mckenna