If you have a question you don't see here, feel free to ask.
General Questions
Where are we going in 2008?
Moosonee/Moose Factory and Attawapiskat, Ontario, on the western shores of James Bay.
Also see the route maps.
When are we going?
Thursday, February 12 to Tuesday, February 17. It's the President's Day Weekend in the US. Depending upon where you start, and how scenic you want to go en route, you may want to pad a day on each end, by overnighting in Ottawa. See the itinerary.
Who are we?
A bunch of MINI owners and their co-drivers and/or passengers. You do not have to go in a MINI, but it is encouraged.
Why there, and why in February?
Why not?
What Should I Bring?
We have The List.
How much will it cost?
See budget estimates.
Other Questions
Will my cell phone work on this trip?
Maybe.
If you don't have a contract, such as a pay-as-you-go phone, then you are out of luck. If you have a contract, usually your phone will roam automatically. Check with your phone company, because if this is not true, typically you just tell them you will need roaming during the trip.
Ontario has both CDMA coverage (via Bell) and GSM coverage (via Rogers) up to Cochrane, where we will board the train. 3G coverage is only available in Ottawa.
Where will we be staying?
| Night | Location | Lodging |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday* (Feb 11) | Carp (Ottawa) , ON | Ross' House |
| Thursday (Feb 12) | Cochrane, ON | Station Inn |
| Friday (Feb 13) | Moosonee, ON | Polar Bear Lodge |
| Saturday (Feb 14) | Attawapiskat, ON | Kataquapit Inn |
| Sunday (Feb 15) | Attawapiskat, ON | Kataquapit Inn |
| Monday (Feb 16) | New Liskeard, ON | Econlodge |
| Tuesday* (Feb 17) | Carp (Ottawa), ON | Ross' House |
* Optional nights
Train? What Train?
Getting to Moosonee by car requires a 4.5 hour train ride from Cochrane, ON on the Polar Bear Express. The cars will be loaded on the train before departure. If you are coming on the trip, it is important that you read more about the train.
Ice Road? What Ice Road?
Getting to Attawapiskat from Moosonee involves travelling the entire length of the 308km James Bay (West) Winter Road. The winter-only ice road is constructed each January and becomes impassable during March thaws. The speed limit is 50km/h, and only some curves are grooved - the rest is smooth ice. There are about 100 river crossings, many of which are tidal, requiring snow bridges to descend to the frozen river crossing. The posted limit is 50km/h.
There is one town (Kasechewan) on a short sideroad, where we can lunch. The Victor mine is located 90km east of Attawapiskat, on a similar ice road.
US/Canada Border Issues / Travelling in Canada
To cross the Canada/US border, it is best to bring a passport, although it is NOT required. Crossing the border requires 'proof of citizenship' with a birth certificate, residency card, or passport. NEW: As of January 2008, if your proof of citizenship does not include photo ID, a separate photo ID is also required, such as a driver's license.
A driver's license alone will not get you across the border any more.
See this page for info on what you can bring into Canada and return to the US in terms of duty free liquor, tobacco and other products.
Possession of handguns is largely illegal in Canada, and bringing them across the border is definitely out. Radar detectors are also illegal in most provinces, including Quebec and Ontario.
The unit of currency is the Canadian dollar (CAD, or C$), but USD are accepted at many merchants at horrible exchange rates. Save your money, get C$ using ATMs, which are ubiquitous, or at your own bank, before you leave.