Arctic Exposure: Bearing it All

NAVC Polar Bear Expedition: Day 7

Dr. Doug Mader, November 5, 2009

Arctic foxes often follow polar bears out onto the ice in hopes of scavenging bits of leftover meals.

Once again I find myself sitting on yet another flight. Flights can be characterized as either “anticipation” or “consummation,” depending on the direction of travel.

NAVC Polar Bear Expedition: Day 6

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Dr. Doug Mader, November 4, 2009

NAVC Expeditions Polar Bear plants the flag in the Arctic Circle.

They say that you lose all sense of time when you are in the far north. I have to agree.

NAVC Polar Bear Expedition: Day 5

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Dr. Doug Mader, November 3, 2009

A large male PB visits a neighboring tundra buggy. Keep in mind, these Polar Bears can jump. It is recommended that you NOT hang out the windows.

Even with the time change, and the extra hour that we gained, it seems like there is just never enough time to do everything that you want. Churchill is above the 58th latitude.

NAVC Polar Bear Expedition: Day 4

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Dr. Doug Mader, November 2, 2009

Anesthetized adult polar bears in cargo nets.

It's 11:00pm. Our day just ended, and it was amazing. It's late, I'm tired, and I'm ready for some dreams - because that is what the day seemed like.

NAVC Polar Bear Expedition: Day 3

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Dr. Doug Mader, November 1, 2009

Large male polar bear crouching on the ice.

We woke this morning to a crisp, nose stinging -5C, with a -25C wind chill, ice covered streets, and a fresh blanket of snow.

NAVC Polar Bear Expedition: Day 2

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Dr. Doug Mader, October 31, 2009

Drs. Mader and Walton, with their Polar Bear rifle, stand guard outside the bus while travelers explore the greywhacke rocks (this is real) looking for wildlife.

Question : Aside from the snow, ice and bitter cold, what one odd fact links Antarctica, our first adventure location with the NAVC Expeditions group, with Churchill, Canada?

NAVC Polar Bear Expedition: Day 1

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Dr. Doug Mader, October 30, 2009

This “Kermode” or “Spirit Bear,” a resident of the Assiniboine Park Zoo, looks like a Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus), but is not. They are a genetic variant of the American Black Bear (Ursus Americanus).

If you're NOT here, raise your hand.

NAVC Polar Bear Expedition: Day 0

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Dr. Doug Mader, October 29, 2009

The puck was there – right there. My muscles were aching, lungs burning and my hands numb. I called on every last white muscle fiber that I had left for one final burst of energy.