 |
||
 |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
2010 GOLD RUSH TRAIL DOG SLED MAIL RUN - PRESS RELEASE
December 14, 2009 - Countdown #4
This is the third in a series of updates about the fast-approaching Gold Rush Trail Dog Sled Mail Run, which will take place January 22 - 24, 2010.
The snow is arriving almost daily…..along with colder weather. Local mushers are running exclusively on sleds now and trail grooming is under way. The early snow was a pain with wet stuff followed by quickly dropping temperatures causing the snow to freeze hard to tree branches, bringing all of the alder and willow down over the trails. It looked like the Amazon jungle, but some more dedicated trail clearing along with a period of milder weather has improved things considerably. December is an important month for conditioning sled dogs, it is also a month when there are so many other things to accomplish as well. Needless to say, Mail Run organizers have been very, very busy.
The globally unique mountain caribou that reside in the mountain landscapes of British Columbia’s Columbia and Cariboo Mountains is a variety of woodland caribou that are adapted to the special conditions of these wet, mountainous forests. Their habitat is under attack and for this as well as other reasons, their numbers have been declining dramatically. In an attempt to reverse this upsetting trend, a number of measures have been taken by the British Columbia Ministry of Environment. One of these is the introduction of snowmobile closures within the Mountain Caribou Recovery Area.
One part of the Mail Run route lies within the Caribou Recovery Area - the second half of the old Cariboo Waggon Road that runs from Stanley to Barkerville. Mail Run organizers have been working closely with Ministry of Environment officials and have been granted a permit that will allow snowmobile trail groomers access to the “snowmobile closed” area for a six week period leading up to the day when Mail Run participants will travel over this section of trail on January 24th, 2010. After this date the corridor will be completely closed to all snowmobiles.
Our region of British Columbia was originally called the Cariboo (mis-spelled “oo”) because of the presence of these mountain caribou (spelled “ou”) in this area. We want to ensure that the numbers of these animals will once again be on the increase. We believe, as does the Ministry of Environment, that allowing very limited snowmobile access to this section of trail early in the winter, will not put these animals at risk. Accumulated snowfall along the Cariboo Waggon (yes, spelled “gg”) Road can reach over fourteen feet in a winter. Experience suggests that the caribou do not travel through this region until the early spring, once this snow pack has started to settle.
Everyone planning to paricipate in the upcoming Mail Run is encouraged to send in their registrations as early as possible. Please download the Participation/Registration Form along with the Waiver Form from the website , and mail both to the contact address, Box 4175, Quesnel, B.C., V2J 3J3. As was stated in Countdown #5, we want to be ready for you when you get here.
The 2010 Mail Run envelopes have been printed and are now on sale. We are anticipating that this year, as many as 5000 envelopes could be carried over the Mail Run Trail. Envelopes are available throughout the communities of Quesnel and Wells B.C. at seven different outlets. If you are interested in obtaining some envelopes, please click on “envelopes” on the Mail Run website or contact organizers using the contact email addresses and phone number, also on the website. Judy Rigby is heading up envelope sales this year and she can be reached at Judy@dogsledmailrun.ca All envelopes must be returned to Quesnel and deposited in local Mail Run post boxes by January 20th…and then the process of hand cancelling and packaging the envelopes will begin. Envelopes cost $2.50 each or 5 for $10.00.
You are encouraged to look for the just-released Winter 2009 issue of British Columbia Magazine, and turn to the feature article about the 2008 Mail Run with the great title….Postal Pups! A big thank-you to writer Larry Pynn and photographer Tyler Garnham for doing such a great job on the article….it was well worth waiting for. If you would like to get a preview taste of what the winter issue of the magazine has to offer, go to www.bcmag.ca
No-doubt you are anxious to hear how the annual Quesnel Downtown Business Association Santa Claus Parade came off. The conditions were great, cold with fresh snow. There were 19 entrants in the parade which travelled down the main street, with a couple of thousand excited children and frozen parents looking on. Our club’s entry was the “best yet” featuring two dog teams and what we believe is the world’s largest dog sled. This creation, the work of our club’s very creative artistic director Delmer Phinney is over 16 feet long and stands 8 feet high at the handlebar….it is essentially a mid-distance sled model, complete with sled bag and flashing lights. It has no brake, but the fact that it was securely strapped down to the trailer made the need for a brake redundant. Thank you to all of the club members who turned out to support this effort, as well as local businesses who donated their resources to help out. A big thank you to Kim Verge for leading our entry with her 8 screaming Alaskans and to Mona Penner for completing the picture with her six very composed Sibes.
The Mail Run is exclusively a volunteer-run endeavour. The organizing committee, which consists of almost 20 people has been meeting for several months. As the event draws closer, additional volunteers are asked to come forward to help with the many tasks that must be done during the event itself. Many of you have indicated your willingness to volunteer again this year and you will be contacted as the Mail Run draws closer. Additional volunteers will be needed to help with tasks such as dog handling, traffic controlling, and spotting at key decision points along the trail. In addition we require those willing to assist with the Friday night barbeque, the auction, souvenir sales, the running of the Mushers’ Sports, assisting with the Barkerville Dash, and the stamping of envelopes. The immediate need is for those with snowmobiles who would be willing to help with trail clearing, packing and grooming, as well as putting up trail markers along the route. The club is able to provide fuel and oil for those snowmobiles used to assist with trail preparation. Volunteers are asked to contact Jeff Dinsdale at 250 992-9143 or email jeff@dogsledmailrun.ca and trail workers should contact Delmer Phinney at 250 992-3150.
Finally, the Quesnel Dog Mushers will be organizing a small fun race and trapper’s sports day on December 27th. If you are in the Quesnel area on that day, you are welcome to come and watch and even take part. Look for more news in the next week or so, or call for details.