SPK Dog Log

I have carried a hand held video camera on the race for years now. Honestly, I don’t always think “Gez, this is gorgeous… I need to take a video!” But, I really did try to capture some amazing portions of the Iditarod Trail this year.
There are 13 videos in the ID: AliyCam 2016 Series.

The day was gorgeous and the trail was entertaining so I kept the AliyCam recording. In this video you will notice three types of Iditarod trail markers that are used to mark the route. There are: permanent yellow metal reflectors nailed to willows or trees, red flagging on branches or bushes and the annually-placed wooden lathe with a white reflector and a blue ribbon. On other sections of the trail there are tripods or tall “telephone pole” type markers.
The end of the video could be deemed somewhat embarrassing to me – if a musher was inclined to be embarrassed by their dogs’ action – which I’m not. Here you see the entire team come to a decided HALT. Seriously? A third place Iditarod team? Yup. I won’t lie. My dogs do not like water and I have limited opportunities to train them to change their minds. During the summer months, we play in puddles and run through very shallow creeks. But, ironically, my only husky who really enjoys swimming in Mac. He was the only dog who had left our team at this point in the race.
Go figure!

I have carried a hand held video camera on the race for years now. Honestly, I don’t always think “Gez, this is gorgeous… I need to take a video!” But, I really did try to capture some amazing portions of the Iditarod Trail this year.
There are 13 videos in the ID: AliyCam 2016 Series.

After the trail sneaks over the top of Rainy Pass, it plunges downhill. As the trail comes off the summit and down into the creek, it is a roller coaster ride. I try to steer my sled — sometimes successfully and sometimes not — around pinball corners, over ice bridges and past rock faces all with the gorgeous Alaska Range on the horizon. Thick willow bushes often define the edges of the trail. That shows how much volunteer trail work has been put into the Iditarod over the years.

One of the reasons that I love our dogs not being secured by a leash to their collars (a “neck line” in mushing terminology) is evident in this video. Each dog can maneuver where ever they need to in order to avoid holes in the trail or run far out to the side, switching sides of the main tow line. As you can imagine, each dog has his or her own opinion of where they want to place their feet for the fastest, safest route. Now it might seem that all of the dogs aren’t “pulling their hearts out” all the time. You are correct. And I ask you: “During your 8, 10 or 12 hour work day how many of you are putting our 100% effort?”

Yea… that’s what I thought.

I have carried a hand held video camera on the race for years now. Honestly, I don’t always think “Gez, this is gorgeous… I need to take a video!” But, I really did try to capture some amazing portions of the Iditarod Trail this year.
There are 13 videos in the ID: AliyCam 2016 Series.

The day was brilliant. The mountains were laid out all around us. I couldn’t help but record many minutes (and miles) as we climbed from the Rainy Pass Lodge Checkpoint, up into the mountain pass itself and then over the top. I could see teams off in the distance at times — both in front and behind us. We kept a steady pace for much of the climb. On the steeper sections you will hear or see my ski poles as I helped the team with the ascent.

There is actually a metal sign demarcating the pass itself. I have passed directly by it some years and other years the trail goes far to the left or right of it. This year there were two people standing by the sign. I learned later that one of those folks was Iditarod photographer, Jeff Schultz. I only learned that was him when I asked him “Did you get any really good photos of my team this year?” He said “Yup, while summiting Rainy Pass.”
So, we’ll have to wait and see!

I have carried a hand held video camera on the race for years now. Honestly, I don’t always think “Gez, this is gorgeous… I need to take a video!” But, I really did try to capture some amazing portions of the Iditarod Trail this year.
There are 13 videos in the ID: AliyCam 2016 Series.

People often ask me what my dogs eat on the trail. My answer usually involves talking about the fact that the team eats it’s big meals while they are stopped at a camp spot or checkpoint – usually twice a day. But, just as important, are the snack breaks that the team gets along the trail. Every musher has his or her own idea of how many, how often and how fast a snack break should be. I believe that while the Iditarod is a race, not every snack break or stop needs to be a stressful, “hurry, hurry, hurry” act. I kept the camera rolling while I stopped the team for this snack break. This was their longest rest during a 55 mile run that took us from our camp spot before Rainy Pass Checkpoint, up through the mountain pass, down through the Rohn Checkpoint and out into the Farewell Burn to our next camp. This stop was about halfway. We took additonal breaks both before, but not for as long of a duration.
So… if you think it’s always: “Go! Go! Go!” Think again. 1,000 miles is a long way!

March 31st marks the end of the racing season. Nature has decided it is the end of all mushing for us as our trails are now slush and no fun for anyone! We are even seeing some green on the ground already.

March 31st was also when we closed team memberships and the Dog Fan Club for the season. A truly sincere thank you to everyone who has joined the Red Team, Black Team, Dog Fan Club, Supported the Dog Log or sent other contributions and donations. Each of you has helped get our teams down the trail and without you all we couldn’t do what we do! We are lucky to have so many of you interested in our kennel and giving us your support.

The Dog Log will still be active over the spring and summer and the first thing you can look forward to is several more “Aliy Cam” videos from the Iditarod Trail. We are working through the footage and will share with you over the next few weeks. We’ll also let you know of summer happenings, dog walking, events and, hopefully, PUPPIES!!!!!!!

What happens now for us is we start the “clean up” – packing away all the sleds, harnesses and mushing gear for a few months. Moira goes back to New Zealand, Chris moves on to his summer employ and Aliy and Allen will take a short break, before starting their summer employ with Princess Cruises Denali Train presentations.

Later in the summer, Kennel Mom and Dad come up from Florida and all the summer chores start. The dogs put their mushing thoughts away for a few months and get to do lots of free running on the summer trails. It’s a complete change for everyone!

We would still love to hear from you all so do please check in on the blog now and again.

Thanks again for helping make this season AWESOME!

I have carried a hand held video camera on the race for years now. Honestly, I don’t always think “Gez, this is gorgeous… I need to take a video!” But, I really did try to capture some amazing portions of the Iditarod Trail this year.
There are 13 videos in the ID: AliyCam 2016 Series.

ID: AliyCam 2016 “100 miles into the Race”
At this point in the race, my team and I are still sorting out the kinks. This is only our second run in and the sun had just come up. We were happy to see the greater depth of snow as we traveled towards the Alaska Range Mountains. The snow makes a sled dog team’s progression so much easier. We can safely travel with complete control of the sled. As well, the dogs can grab bites of snow whenever the feel a little thirsty. The entire team is getting used to the routine that we will follow for the next 8 plus days.

To mark the end of the racing season and the closure of the Dog Fan Club for the season we have done two random draws.

Both winners win a set of Yukon Quest and Iditarod Race Guides signed by Aliy and Allen.

Congratulations to Beth Lockwood who is a fan of WEDGY and to Ingabritt who is a fan of SCOUT.

Wedgy is the girl who hasn’t had her chance yet. She is gorgeous, enthusiastic and certainly wants to please. Wedgy is ready for her ‘break-out’ year and wants to surprise everyone. She is steady in training and is always excited. Wedgy is such the combo of her Mama and Dad.

Scout is Aliy’s best buddy. He really is such a phenomenal dog. He is both professional and charismatic. Scout is walking in his Mother’s foot steps as one of our best lead dogs ever. His wisdom and confidence led many of our teams down the trail this season.

Thank you to everyone who joined the Dog Fan Club this year. We hope you had fun following along with us this season and having a special dog (or dogs) to make it more intimate. Keep an eye out in October when we open the Dog Fan Club for the 2016-17 season!

When we get back from Nome one of our favourite things to do is check the post box to find the letters from students. The students put in so much effort making cards, letters and posters.

What we found heartening this year was that teachers used the events on the river as a teaching opportunity about perseverance and persistence. Students were able to write their own feelings about what happened and show their concern for Aliy and Clyde. One class made fleece blankets for Clyde while others made cards for Aliy. They were touching and much appreciated.

What was also exciting was there were a few letters about the Yukon Quest showing us that some teachers are using that as a teaching aide also.

Thanks to all the students who wrote us this season – your reply is in the post! And thanks to all the teachers for continuing to use the Iditarod (and now the Quest) as the wonderful teaching tool it is.