| The Hubbard Memorial Centennial Expedition |
| LOCATION - Labrador and Quebec, Canada Route - Northwest River Post to Kangiqsualujuaq Distance - 650 miles Duration - 50 days Date - June to August 2003 Group - Brad Bassi, Jim Niedbalski, Troy Gipps, Caroline Scully |
The Hubbard Memorial Expedition carried our team over six hundred miles across lakes,
upstreams, through bogs and forests, into the tundra, and down a powerful sub arctic river.
Parts of our route had been used in the past as highways by the native Innu people, while
some sections of stream were so small, rocky, and steep that it is quite possible they have
only been visited by a handful of humans. Our route, which carried us through one of the
last true wildernesses on the continent, was inspired by the exploits of Leonidas Hubbard,
George Elson, Dillon Wallace, and Mina Hubbard. In 1903 Leonidas Hubbard lead an
expedition of three into this vast and relatively unexplored interior of Labrador and Quebec
with the intent of traveling from Northwest River Post on the Atlantic Coast, to the mouth of
the George River on Ungava Bay. After numerous hardships the crew began an epic
retreat and did their best to return to civilization while battling starvation. Thanks to the
heroic efforts of George Elson, only Hubbard himself ended up perishing.
upstreams, through bogs and forests, into the tundra, and down a powerful sub arctic river.
Parts of our route had been used in the past as highways by the native Innu people, while
some sections of stream were so small, rocky, and steep that it is quite possible they have
only been visited by a handful of humans. Our route, which carried us through one of the
last true wildernesses on the continent, was inspired by the exploits of Leonidas Hubbard,
George Elson, Dillon Wallace, and Mina Hubbard. In 1903 Leonidas Hubbard lead an
expedition of three into this vast and relatively unexplored interior of Labrador and Quebec
with the intent of traveling from Northwest River Post on the Atlantic Coast, to the mouth of
the George River on Ungava Bay. After numerous hardships the crew began an epic
retreat and did their best to return to civilization while battling starvation. Thanks to the
heroic efforts of George Elson, only Hubbard himself ended up perishing.
In 1905 two teams returned to attempt the route Leonidas had set out to establish. George Elson and Mina Hubbard, (wife of Leonidas) lead one
group, while the other was headed by Dillon Wallace. After two epic trips, both groups reached their destination on Ungava Bay. Our trip was
planned to celebrate the spirit of exploration shown by Hubbard and to see what the land he traveled looked like 100 years later. Along the way
we found out much about what the team was up against and learned a great deal about ourselves.
group, while the other was headed by Dillon Wallace. After two epic trips, both groups reached their destination on Ungava Bay. Our trip was
planned to celebrate the spirit of exploration shown by Hubbard and to see what the land he traveled looked like 100 years later. Along the way
we found out much about what the team was up against and learned a great deal about ourselves.
Our team was the first to successfully retrace the route of Leonidas Hubbard by canoe and the first ever to travel this route
continuously from Northwest River Post to Kangiqsualujuaq. We were fortunate enough to have our story appear in the
publications listed below. Clicking the links will bring you to full text versions of the articles as they appeared in print or to a
website with the story or information about how to access the story.
continuously from Northwest River Post to Kangiqsualujuaq. We were fortunate enough to have our story appear in the
publications listed below. Clicking the links will bring you to full text versions of the articles as they appeared in print or to a
website with the story or information about how to access the story.
| LEARN ABOUT OUR ROUTE STAGE BY STAGE route descriptions, photos, links to journal entries To learn about a stage simply click a link above the picture. |
The Hubbard Saga
While extended canoe
expedition across the more
remote regions of northern
Canada are relatively
uncommon, it is the history
associated with the Hubbard
Expedition of 1903 and the
follow-up trips of 1905 that
make the story of our trip
compelling. I would
encourage anyone visiting
this page to take the time to
read about the original
expeditions and the
individuals that participated in
them.
expedition across the more
remote regions of northern
Canada are relatively
uncommon, it is the history
associated with the Hubbard
Expedition of 1903 and the
follow-up trips of 1905 that
make the story of our trip
compelling. I would
encourage anyone visiting
this page to take the time to
read about the original
expeditions and the
individuals that participated in
them.
The Map Room
To understand our expedition
in terms of the original
Hubbard Expeditions a close
look at the maps on this page
should be had. Here you will
also find an interactive route
map showing the details of all
expeditions and linking you to
journals from the Hubbard
Memorial Centennial
Expedition.
In this map the Quebec and
Labrador Peninsula has
been highlighted by a yellow
box and our route appears in
red.
in terms of the original
Hubbard Expeditions a close
look at the maps on this page
should be had. Here you will
also find an interactive route
map showing the details of all
expeditions and linking you to
journals from the Hubbard
Memorial Centennial
Expedition.
In this map the Quebec and
Labrador Peninsula has
been highlighted by a yellow
box and our route appears in
red.
Meet the Hubbard Memorial Centennial Expedition Team
Brad Bassi
I am a New England native 25 years old
at the time of the expedition when I was
working as a high school teacher in New
Hampshire. I came to the Hubbard
Expedition with 7 years of wilderness
canoe tripping experience and a strong
whitewater background.
Jim Niedbalski
With many years of wilderness tripping
experience and a strong paddling
background, Jim was the driving force
behind planning and launching the
Hubbard Memorial Centennial Expedition.
When not paddling or hiking, Jim works
as a dedicated journalism professor.
I am a New England native 25 years old
at the time of the expedition when I was
working as a high school teacher in New
Hampshire. I came to the Hubbard
Expedition with 7 years of wilderness
canoe tripping experience and a strong
whitewater background.
Jim Niedbalski
With many years of wilderness tripping
experience and a strong paddling
background, Jim was the driving force
behind planning and launching the
Hubbard Memorial Centennial Expedition.
When not paddling or hiking, Jim works
as a dedicated journalism professor.
Troy M Gipps
Troy came to the Hubbard expedition
with a great deal of tripping experience
and a passion for the outdoors. Troy's
meticulous nature proved invaluable
during the planning phases of the trip
and while out in the bush where one
oversight can be disastrous.
Caroline Scully
Caroline grew up canoeing in the lakes
region of northern Minnesota. Joining us
at our resupply point half way through
the trip, Caroline provided a constant
smile and strong paddling skills. This was
Caroline's first large expedition, but no
one would have ever guessed that if they
saw her out in the Ungava Peninsula.
Troy came to the Hubbard expedition
with a great deal of tripping experience
and a passion for the outdoors. Troy's
meticulous nature proved invaluable
during the planning phases of the trip
and while out in the bush where one
oversight can be disastrous.
Caroline Scully
Caroline grew up canoeing in the lakes
region of northern Minnesota. Joining us
at our resupply point half way through
the trip, Caroline provided a constant
smile and strong paddling skills. This was
Caroline's first large expedition, but no
one would have ever guessed that if they
saw her out in the Ungava Peninsula.
Links to more Hubbard Information
This information packed website was created by Hubbard Memorial
Centennial Expedition team member Troy Gipps. In addition to containing
a great section on the Hubbard Expedition, the site features other
expeditions and a wealth of information on wilderness canoeing.
Centennial Expedition team member Troy Gipps. In addition to containing
a great section on the Hubbard Expedition, the site features other
expeditions and a wealth of information on wilderness canoeing.
Philip Schubert has developed his website of the course of several years
while involved with a series of expedition exploring sections of the routes
explored by the original Hubbard expeditions. This information packed
website contains some great pictures and excellent text.
while involved with a series of expedition exploring sections of the routes
explored by the original Hubbard expeditions. This information packed
website contains some great pictures and excellent text.
For those interested in the Hubbard Expeditions the story revealed by this
website is not to be missed. Rudy Mauro tells the tale of some of the first
visitors to Hubbard final campsite on Susan Brook.
website is not to be missed. Rudy Mauro tells the tale of some of the first
visitors to Hubbard final campsite on Susan Brook.
Recommended Reading
Great Heart - By James West Davidson and Jon Rugge
This phenomenal book covers the stories of all three of the
Hubbard Expeditions that I speak of in my site. This is a must
read for anyone interested in canoing, and highly
recommended for anyone else.
This phenomenal book covers the stories of all three of the
Hubbard Expeditions that I speak of in my site. This is a must
read for anyone interested in canoing, and highly
recommended for anyone else.
The Long Labrador Trail - By Dillon Wallace
Not to be outdone, Wallace authored this book after the
completion of his own 1905 return expedition. While quite
interesting to those interested in the Hubbard Expedition,
those not deeply invested in this history may find the account
a bit lengthy.
Not to be outdone, Wallace authored this book after the
completion of his own 1905 return expedition. While quite
interesting to those interested in the Hubbard Expedition,
those not deeply invested in this history may find the account
a bit lengthy.
The Lure of the Labrador Wild - By Dillon Wallace
Shortly after returning from the fateful 1903 expedition,
Wallace wrote this account of his time in Labrador while
staying at a family farm near Adams, Massachusetts. Some
parts of this account were criticized by Mina Hubbard and
played a role in inspiring her to return to Labrador in an
attempt to complete her husband's unfinished work.
Shortly after returning from the fateful 1903 expedition,
Wallace wrote this account of his time in Labrador while
staying at a family farm near Adams, Massachusetts. Some
parts of this account were criticized by Mina Hubbard and
played a role in inspiring her to return to Labrador in an
attempt to complete her husband's unfinished work.
A Woman's Way Through Unknown
Labrador - By Mina Hubbard
This great read starts with a copy of Leonidas Hubbard's
original journal before Mina's account of her return expedition.
Labrador - By Mina Hubbard
This great read starts with a copy of Leonidas Hubbard's
original journal before Mina's account of her return expedition.
This incredible tribute to Dillon Wallace was written by his grand daughter
in 2005. Although criticized by Mina Hubbard after the publication of The
Lure of the Labrador Wild, this account helps show that Wallace was good
intentioned. The fact of the matter is that Leonidas Hubbard and Wallace
were fast friends and Wallace never once betrayed that friendship.
in 2005. Although criticized by Mina Hubbard after the publication of The
Lure of the Labrador Wild, this account helps show that Wallace was good
intentioned. The fact of the matter is that Leonidas Hubbard and Wallace
were fast friends and Wallace never once betrayed that friendship.