The Story of the Sugar Bears
First, I would like to thank Peter and his wife for running a really fun race. Well done!
We enjoyed all our encounters with other competitors, but especially, I would like to commend the TIP-C Minnesota boys. In the middle of a multiday snail race they pointed out a shoal we were headed for, They also helped a weary crew get our barge on the truck at the end of the race. That's what sportsmanship all about!
In all the bears had a great race. We were new to this type of endurance racing and we were happy with our performance. As expected our low point was a day or two into the race. Night one we missed a string of great campsites, we were running out of time and pulled into what we called moose s#$% isle. Tough spot but we had no time to be choosey. As we paddled out in the morning we again started to pass great campsites.
We were all experiencing the typical — wow this is tough, two days in and a lot more to go thing. What's worse head winds and team building or lack there of was starting to take a toll. To put things in perspective, years ago half our crew switched from 2 man whitewater canoes to K1's so we would no longer have the other idiot in the boat, now there were 5 other guys in the boat!
Our skipper called a burger break at Carmacks where we refueled and discussed our problems. Feeling much better, we hit 5 fingers perfect and stopped a little early at the campgrounds just below the rapids. As we pulled into shore there was our new mascot "bear" waiting for us. With him on the bow we could do no wrong. After talking to Harry the photographer we had a mission for day 3 — reach the bakery.
Day 3 had some tough winds and a lot of rain, but the beautiful scenery kept us pumped. A little after 10:00 pm we saw the "bakery 5 miles sign" and pushed it hard to make it (of course the bakery is really 5.9 miles from the sign). Although there was no one there with fresh Danishes (we dream big) it was a good spot to camp.
The team was really becoming a team now. Day 4 we decided to get to Dawson and call it a day. Rain changed our plans from camping to a hotel and from MRE meals to a 4 star dinner — Thanks Bruno. So that's why Peter requires a Visa card, $20 dollars was a far cry from our bill!
It was well worth losing 7 hours — we left with dry clothes and high spirits. The bear and the bears were rolling now.
We paddled 153 miles day 5 and ended up in Yukon Charlie area. We saw a few bears right on the river as we were starting to look for a camping spot. That night the river was kind enough to launch our boat for us, it also nearly launched our paddles, but bear had it all under control. Note the boat and paddles were high and dry when we went to bed.
Day 6 we paddled 150 miles and camped just past circle. The team was feeling good, the rain had cleared up bear we were all gas on. By then we were confident we could finish Monday if we could get 120 miles in. But the flats were brutal, the big boat does not turn well and all the beached trees forced us to avoid the lines we would have liked to take. We worked it out though and made it to Beaver (which should be called bugsville). That morning was our best time from wake up to floating, something about being swarmed by mosquitos tends to speed up departure. Things were all going well when we stopped for our daily break and started to smell smoke. When we got in the boat and paddled out we saw the smoke, it was bad, very hard to see the lines. But bear's no greenhorn and we just went wherever he pointed his flag.
The smoke cleared after an hour or so and things got back to normal. We could almost feel the heat coming off the pipeline. The last canyon was whipped up pretty good, headwind of course. But nothing was going to stop us, we dug hard until the finish. Awesome race &mdash Thanks again Peter
Running down the Yukon was a great experience, especially doing it in the voyageur. Everyone loves the big boat. It was even worth dealing with the other five $%^&*'s !!!
Just kidding one of our team members goals was to finish with as many friends as he started with, we not only finished with as many friends, but with some better friends.