diabetes benefit
Steve Haas of Rochelle, Ill., and Lac du Flambeau has embarked on the adventure of a lifetime.
Along with the group MichCanSka (stands for Michigan, Canada, Alaska), he is enroute to Alaska from Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., - by snowmobile. The 4,000-mile trek will take 20 days and is a charity ride benefiting the Diabetes Research Institute.
More than 70 riders, in three groups that left Sault Ste. Marie at two-day intervals beginning Feb. 15, will attempt the journey. Each group began their ride with a lap around the Soo-500 Racetrack in Sault St. Marie.
Haas is with group two, which left Wednesday, and said their plan is to arrive in Hurley today.
The general route will lead MichCanSka west across Wisconsin, Minnesota and North Dakota, then north into Canada's Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, The Yukon Territory, and finally arriving in Tok, Ala.
There, Haas said, "we will have been amazed by the Northern Lights, the unbelievable scenery and the adventure itself. ... The grand finale will take riders across the Top of the World Highway to Tok, where the view is nothing short of breathtaking."
Haas said the Michigan Snowmobile Association has set up a command center in Grand Rapids, Mich., to monitor progress and help coordinate any emergency situations with local authorities.
"They will also have extensive health information on each individual to pass on to local authorities," Haas said.
Each group will attempt to cover 200 miles per day and Haas and many others will carry GPS units.
He said professional videographer is filming the excursion for PBS.
Readers can follow the trip or make a donation for the fundraiser at the website MichCanSka.com.
Steve Haas of Rochelle, Ill., and Lac du Flambeau has embarked on the adventure of a lifetime.
Along with the group MichCanSka (stands for Michigan, Canada, Alaska), he is enroute to Alaska from Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., - by snowmobile. The 4,000-mile trek will take 20 days and is a charity ride benefiting the Diabetes Research Institute.
More than 70 riders, in three groups that left Sault Ste. Marie at two-day intervals beginning Feb. 15, will attempt the journey. Each group began their ride with a lap around the Soo-500 Racetrack in Sault St. Marie.
Haas is with group two, which left Wednesday, and said their plan is to arrive in Hurley today.
The general route will lead MichCanSka west across Wisconsin, Minnesota and North Dakota, then north into Canada's Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, The Yukon Territory, and finally arriving in Tok, Ala.
There, Haas said, "we will have been amazed by the Northern Lights, the unbelievable scenery and the adventure itself. ... The grand finale will take riders across the Top of the World Highway to Tok, where the view is nothing short of breathtaking."
Haas said the Michigan Snowmobile Association has set up a command center in Grand Rapids, Mich., to monitor progress and help coordinate any emergency situations with local authorities.
"They will also have extensive health information on each individual to pass on to local authorities," Haas said.
Each group will attempt to cover 200 miles per day and Haas and many others will carry GPS units.
He said professional videographer is filming the excursion for PBS.
Readers can follow the trip or make a donation for the fundraiser at the website MichCanSka.com.
