Special Thanks

Those who have ridden with Yves


Richard David and Maurice Leclaire or Lacroix

Ron & Heather Dalgleish

Murray Chatfield and Dwight Thesen

Calvin

Leonard Romaniuk and Dan & Sid Jackson.

Rick

Larry Nadon and his friend Lloyd

Norm Rourke

David Noel

Glen Monaghan

Barry Toker and Don Loiseau

Brent Hollick

Don Dashney

The group that travelled with Yves included Nadia (Snowmobile Club President) and her husband Sheldon, Tim (Snowmobile Club V.P.), Joe, Rick, Leah, Larry, Caylyn, Scott, Dan & Willy (the last 3 were the unofficial mechanics of the place that have done so much to keep his sled in perfect running order, many thanks guys).

Larry Simmons of the Alaska Trail Blazers Snow machine Club in Tok, guided Yves through the trail system around town tomorrow morning.

Larry Simmons local member of the Tok snowmobile club

David Rohwer (who had offered to Host him in Fairbanks) who was pleased to ride down the 1 ¾ hour to pick Yves up.

Aspen, who lives in Manley Hot Springs some 180 miles (300 km) from Fairbanks!

David Rohmer to Manley

Three companions that allowed Yves to travel with them for the day (Randall Moss, Ray Debenham & Brent Williams).

Ken Lee and daughter Janaya to the Iron Dog Race concept). Yves met the rest of the group, Tracey Brassard (Lee's racing partner in the previous race), Aaron Cooper & Paul Jensen. Were offered a meal and accommodation at Clara Douglas’s.

Powder playing partners: Pat Peterson his wife Tonya Clark, Joe Brown and Alisha Flieger along with their 2 daughters, my room mate Chad Glaza, Tom Carter, Ron Young and last but not least, Willy (Pat's dad). To sum it up, the people that Yves had the pleasure to ride with or be with over the past couple of days are: Pat Peterson & Tonya Clark, Joe Brown & Alisha Flieger with her daughter Cipriana Castellano and her new born Daughter, Yves’ roommate Chad Glaza, Wiley Peterson (Pat's father), Tom Carter and finally Ron Young.

Walter and Dwayne Elser (Club President of the Watson Lake Outdoor Recreational Association)

Were there when Yves brook the record: Don Loiseau, Brain Gramson, Steve Butler, Eric Siddall, Yves Leblanc, Barry Toker(Alberta Snowmobile Association Zone Director), Doug Gramson(Watt Mountain Wanderers Club President) Becky Toker, Debbie Chomiak

Larry & Linda Nadon and we were joined by Lloyd and Trevor McAmmond.

Yves left at 11:00 with Dwane and Walter while Norma followed along the road in her truck/trailer so she could take them back home afterwards. They met up with Todd Wilson along the way.

Walter and Dwayne Elser (Club President of the Watson Lake Outdoor Recreational Association)

Were there when Yves brook the record: Don Loiseau, Brain Gramson, Steve Butler, Eric Siddall, Yves Leblanc, Barry Toker(Alberta Snowmobile Association Zone Director), Doug Gramson(Watt Mountain Wanderers Club President) Becky Toker, Debbie Chomiak

Larry & Linda Nadon and we were joined by Lloyd and Trevor McAmmond.

Larry, Lloyd, Trevor and Yves started from Christopher Lake.

Larry, Lloyd, Trevor and Yves left the Evergreen Resort at approximately 08:30 a.m.

We met up with Marcel Dalphe and his daughter.

Yves met the president of the local snowmobile club, Ron Harvey and his friend Trevor Kowaluk who was the founding president. They had a quick coffee and left for Dauphin.

John Skibinski escorted Yves to the “Manitoba Lake Narrows”. There, Yves met up with Steven Stasiuk from the Narrows area who escorted him to Ashern, Manitoba.

Wayne Vandersteen volunteered to escort me to Narcisse area

Les Williams and Yves met on the trails. He was with Brian Morash and their wives. Len Williams, Juanita Williams, Brenda Morash and Brian Morash.

Yves met up with Charles Rockie who is the VP of the Dryden Power Toboggan Club. He was accompanied by the Director of Signs and volunteers, Lawrence Labelle.

Yves met Diana Ayotte. She is the District #17 Governor of the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC). Ron Lemmon was with her. (Yves would like to recognize the efforts of the 2 active members of the Vermillion Bay Snowdrifters Club! They have done an amazing job in keeping their trails open despite the limited resources.)

Yves met up with Kim, the president of Sioux Lookout Snowmobile Club – called Ojibway Power Toboggan Snowmobile Club.

Those who provided overnight stays (in their home)


Ernie and Diana Kuzik's - offered overnight stay at their cabin.

Shane Parsonage - offered his private apartment.

Barry and Becky came through by offering dinner and a place to stay.

Joanne Devenish (host for the second time in Dawson) on many instances also feeding Yves.

Yves stayed at Jim and Diana Connor’s place and he also enjoyed a fine meal

Shane Parsonage offered Yves overnight accommodations

Yves stayed at Larry Nadon’s home in Meadow Lake and visited with Norma & Gilles, Tom and Larry. Larry and a few friends will be joining Yves. It’ll be GREAT to have travelling companions over the next couple of days as he heads to Manitoba.

Yves met up with Shelley Tucker, the club’s secretary and John Skibinski, the owner of a local restaurant. They enjoyed a great meal and then John offered Yves overnight accommodation at his house.

Yves met up with Les Thorvarson the 2nd representative and his friend Myron Helgason. Les invited Yves to his place for dinner and to stay over night in Gimli. Les Thorvarson ‘s sister gave me some souvenirs from Gimli.

Those who provided overnight stays (businesses)


Craig Christie from Falcon Lake Resort

Richard David from Ile Des Chenes Motor Hotel (also known as Wrangler's Restaurant & Bar at 654 Lacroix St.)

The Owner of Treeline Motel & Dining Room.

Northern Green Resort and Conference Center .

Ship Lantern Resort & Chalet. - (Absorbed part of the cost).

Lakeview Inns & Suites provided an excellent rate

Yves was treated to a free stay at the Tanana Commercial Co. which includes a Bed & Breakfast. He was impressed by the young couple, Kimberly and Andrew Long (early 20's) just married from Oregon that was managing both the store and the B&B.

Ear Esmailka place - Yves slept on the sofa given that he was unannounced. Yves really appreciated the meals and room which was covered by the Paxson Lodge. Pat also arranged for his room in Delta Jct (see journals of the 19th). He also covered Yves’ meal and drinks that evening Thanks Pat for your generosity!

Yves was offered a free night’s stay at the Rancherva Lodge.

Sunset Bay Resort in Saskatchewan where they offered overnight accommodations

Rocky Mountain Lodge in Muncho Lake, BC. This free stay was absolutely wonderful!

Jenn Rosewarne, who managed the Falcon Trail Resort or Falcon Lake Lodge and cottages, came to meet me. Within minutes, she returned with a plate of food for Yves – which He truly appreciated! (what a delicious meal for such a last minute request) They sure bent over backwards to accommodate Yves! (Thanks Craig and Jenn!)

Kim Cross, president of the Sioux Lookout, made the arrangements for this sponsored room at the White Otter Inn! (Thanks to both Kim and the White Otter Inn)

Manager Sandra Boyko sandra.bestwestern@drytel.net Has offered a room at the Dryden Ontario Bestwestern Hotel

Those who have paid for a meal


Richard David from Ile Des Chenes Motor Hotel (also known as Wrangler's Restaurant & Bar at 654 Lacroix St.)

Clarice Hunter and Barry Nontell from the Timberland Motel

Norm Rourke for lunch

David and May Noel

Ernie and Diana Kuzik's

Shane Parsonage for breakfast

Jerry Chomiak and Claude de Montarnal for breakfast

Don Dashney

Yves would like to say a big THANKS to Freda (Horward’s better half) for the amazing meal she prepared!

Fine breakfast by the Rohwer's (Many thanks for the hospitality and for David's limousine service).

Yves enjoyed a fine chicken & ribs dinner prepared by Pat Peterson’s father, Wiley.

The owner of the 1022 Motel gave Yves a break on his dinner and breakfast bill.

Yves arrived at Ernie & Diane Kuzyk place and had a great steak dinner! They even had a cake with a snowmobile on top!

Also thanks Kim and Lanny for picking up the tab for Yves’ meal.

Yves met the president of the Ignace Otters Snowmobile Club and Arlo Jewell, his guide from Ignace to Atikokan.

Ben et Josette Leblanc

Others...


Pierre Denault Provided transportation for the sled from Moncton to Quebec city.

Luc Morin from Choko - Provided visibility to the suit.

Jean-Guy Charette - Trip Planning.

Albert and André Leblanc - Provided transportation for the sled from Gatineau to Kenora.

Jerome Delorme - Provided overnight heated garage for the sled in Kenora.

Jeff and Jane Van Leeuwen - Provided free gas

Treeline Motel & Dining Room

Brad Gradidge and Richard from BRP Skidoo dealership (Action Power Brandon LTD - replaced the electric visor cord and provided Oil for the sled.

Marcel Dalpe - Suggested that Yves store his snowmobile in the warmth of the workshop next door to the motel.(Treeline Motel & Dining Room)

Dwight Thesen and Rick Dolezsar - provided information on the Trail conditions.

Jay Hitchcock - Chased him down with his SUV and pointed Yves in the right direction.

Season Edge Recreation owned by Cal Pankratz - Provided to inspect the sled and free replacement of the drive belt.

Dan Jackson - Provided a free fill-up

The Timberland Motel - Provided a free fill-up.

Ernie Kuzik who agreed to come and pick Yves up with his trailer in Boyle and bring him to his home on the outskirts of Athabaska.

Ernie and Diana Kuzik's - Provided a free fill-up.

Grizzly Ridge Honda - employees who worked through their lunch so Yves could continue on his trek

Gerry Chomiak - found a place to stay at Red Earth.

Jerry Chomiak provided Yves with topo maps for his route from Rainbow Lake to Fort Nelson

Dough McKee - owner of "B & S Truck Repair Ltd", who was Yves' contact for Fort Nelson, he came and picked him up and drove him to th local BRP skidoo dealer.

Edward & Sharon Dort provided Yves with a complimentary provincial snowmobile pass for B.C

Northern Metallic Sales and its owner Wes Sutherland - waived all costs including a drive belt, 5 liters of injection oil, grease for the entire sled and all labor.

Robert Cockney (he had arranged for Yves’ sled to be stored inside during his first stay in Inuvik

Jimmy Coxford and Scott Kasook - accepting to drive 14+ hrs to get Yves to Dawson.

Craig Compeau made several calls the night before and this morning to secure riding companions.

Craig Compeau kindly fueled-up Yves snowmobile

Yves’s contact in Galina was Howard Bealey (a contact from Craig Compeau his amazingly helpful resource in Alaska!).

Steve Karzs, the MC for the evening, asked Yves to speak about the Odyssey at the banquet. Steve is one of Yves sponsors-Lead Dog. (Steve was also a great help in getting contacts in Alaska.)

Yves called Craig Compeau and he spoke to his friend at Everts, who volunteered to sponsor the return flight of the sled to Anchorage and then Fairbanks. Many thanks to Everts Another business that willingly, on the spur of the moment, made a difference in this 2007 Snow Odyssey!

Craig Compeau also waived all costs for parts, labor, shipping and for the room and board. He has also been behind many of the contacts and other sponsors in Alaska. Hats off to Craig for all of his help. This makes COMPEAU'S a MAJOR sponsor in this Odyssey! Including Thor and Pat Peterson Compeau's Skidoo dealer mechanic.

Craig also waived all the costs for labor & parts, including all the various shipments he orchestrated for Yves over multiple days. Craig has also been instrumental in providing contacts and sleeping locations throughout the trek in Alaska.

Alisha (one of Pat's friends, a mechanic at Compeau's), to take Yves down along with the sled to Paxson for an exciting day of mountain riding, Alaskan style.

Pat Peterson also arranged for Yves to be sponsored for a room at the Alaskan Steakhouse & Motel in Delta Junction this evening and he personally paid for Yves meal & drinks that evening.

Jim Connor provided me with directions to the Yukon Skidoo dealership in Whitehorse.

Rick, the sales Manager offered to inspect the sled and made whatever repairs were necessary.

Yves went to the Yukon Brewery Co. and met D’Arcy LaLiberty. They presented him with a souvenir t-shirt which was signed by the owner.

Bill Beelen expressed his congratulations and well wishes.

The Director and the President took time out of their busy days to call me and it was then that I realized the magnitude of my achievement! (Special thanks to Karen and Bill for this unexpected and pleasant surprise!)

Ernie Cossack offered to pay for the fill up.

The BRP dealer in St. Paul’s Saskatchewan was amazing! Jerry Bidlock of Power Merchant Ltd. fixed the snowmobile for yves He drove about 50 minutes out of his way to pick up the sled and got 2 technicians to work on it until midnight. He drove it back to Yves

Curtis Kuintaine offered to help! He mentioned that he was heading back to Nipawin with a spot on his trailer and would gladly give Yves a lift! So Yves enjoyed the ride with Curtis and his friend.

Season’s Edge Recreation (306-862-5538), the local dealer, was extremely helpful they strip a part from a brand new GTX600 machine that they had on the store room floor. They worked on my machine until 19:00 and absorbed the cost for labor and gave the parts to Yves “dirt cheap”.

Yves cannot say enough how delighted he is with the Bombardier dealers across Canada.. They have never let him down!

A fellow from Liard who offered to pay for Yves’ gas.

Guy Brenton and his friend stopped and offered to help Yves change the carbides. (Thanks guys!)

Mark Fell, a mechanic from Northern Metallic, who had previously worked on my sled. He offered to help Yves out again! Mark and his wife Jessica met me at the dealer's and replaced my slides and carbides. He did this in his own time and refused to accept any payment for the parts and labor! (Many thanks to Mark and the dealer for their generosity!)