Iqaluit couple share dogsledding tips on 4,000-km Baffin Island trip

It's been 25 years since Matty McNair and Paul Landry travelled around Baffin Island, Nunavut, by dogsled and while many things have changed, a lot has stayed the same. 

This year, their daughter Sarah McNair-Landry, and her partner Erik Boomer, are taking that same 4,000-kilometre trip.

"There were quite a few people who kind of remember that happening, but not as many as we expected," Boomer said Thursday, two days after leaving Qikiqtarjuaq. 

Less than halfway through the epic trip, the pair have already passed through storms and experienced some near-misses. 

One of the most challenging passes was Auyuittuq National Park, between Pangnirtung and Qikiqtarjuaq. 

"It's basically like trying to ice-climb up these rapids with dogs," McNair-Landry said about the park. "It's icy, there's these big drops with boulders and we're trying to take these 90-degree turns and weave in and out." 

"And, of course, the dogs don't like the ice either."

Boomer says he's been comparing his experiences with McNair's log from the 1990 expeditions and, so far, he says the physical challenges have been similar.  

"And they also talk about the communities being so warm and welcoming and wonderful and we're experiencing the same thing." 

More distant dogsledding culture

During their first two stops in communities, McNair-Landry and Boomer had a chance to feed their dogs fresh meat and give themselves a rest.

"People were really excited about it. And it was fun when we came [into Pangnirtung]," said McNair-Landry. "Some people came and Ski-Dooed out and greeted us as we were pulling the dogs in." 

Then in Qikiqtarjuaq, Boomer says the pair introduced their team to a group of school children. 

"They were scared of the dogs at first, but these dogs are really well-behaved around people and they like nothing more than to be pet."

And while many people reminisced about their family's dog teams or the trips RCMP and missionaries used to make, Boomer says he's noticed "a little more distance from the dogsledding culture." 

Unlike when McNair and Landry visited Qikiqtarjuaq in 1990, no one was staying in the outpost camp, "So we had to go beside the outpost camp," said Boomer.

In between drying out and repacking their gear and enjoying the simple comforts of sitting in a chair, Boomer and McNair-Landry have gotten some useful stories and advice from people who have had dog teams and hunted in nearby areas. 

Boomer and McNair-Landry are also sharing their expertise. 

"And there are some individuals who [have four or five dogs and] are really close to having a good team."

Connecting with old friends

Before departing on their 120-day trip, McNair-Landry and Boomer made copies of photos from the 1990 expedition to give to local residents. 

One of those residents was Malaya, a young woman who was photographed by Sarah McNair-Landry's parents when she was two or three years old.

"She's working on putting a [dog] team together," said Boomer.

"I think in her heart she wants to do some more dogsledding."