Two Rivers Tune Up has been canceled.
First Race of the Season…. iffffy
The first race of the dog mushing season, the Two Rivers Tune-Up, is scheduled for this Saturday, November 27th.
Trail conditions were GREAT last week. This week, however, things have changed dramatically. The snow pack is melting and ice and water are replacing it. It is a sad, sad state for dog mushing enthusiasts. The race has not been canceled yet, but conditions do not look good!
Here at SP Kennel were are constantly checking the National Weather Service website, but all we really need to do is open the door and walk outside. The reality is that slick ice is something that sled dogs can manage and will manage on glare ice ponds or windswept rivers, when the situation warrants. But to ask them to train for hours on icy trails while slipping and sliding, is only going to cause shoulder injuries and foot rubs (from their water drenched dog booties).
Fairbanks has been on national news for the current weather conditions. Here is a snip of an article from our local newspaper ; the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner:
FAIRBANKS — Meteorologists described Monday’s widespread rainfall as an “extraordinary event,” and it’s not over yet. Almost half an inch of rain had fallen at Fairbanks International Airport by 10 p.m. Monday, and forecasters at the National Weather Service said more than an inch of rain could fall by the time it stops Wednesday.
The official measurement of 0.46 inches at 10 p.m. set the record for the most rain on a day in November, and more was expected before the final official measurement at midnight.
“We haven’t ever seen anything like this in the Interior,” hydrologist Ed Plumb at the National Weather Service in Fairbanks said Monday as the rain fell.
The service issued a winter storm warning that remains in effect through 6 p.m. today.(Wednesday)
The rain will compact and melt the snowpack and it is possible that runoff from rain and melting snow will cause ponding on roadways and other poor drainage areas, as well as localized flooding, the service advised in a statement Monday. An extremely warm and moist airmass moving around a large high pressure system over the North Pacific pumped warm, moist air into the Interior and much of the rest of the state early Monday morning, resulting in widespread rain from Anchorage to Barrow, said meteorologist Brad Sipperley.
“It started raining at 5:30 a.m.(Monday) and it’s been raining ever since,” he said just before noon. “We’ve had freezing rain from Anchorage to Barrow.”
Rain during the winter in Fairbanks is unusual, and rainfall of more than one-quarter of an inch between mid-November and early April are extremely rare, according to the weather service. This storm is only the second time in more than 100 years that measurable rainfall was recorded in Fairbanks in the second half of November, according to weather service records. The only other November rainfall on record was Nov. 24, 1936, when 0.42 inches of rain fell.
“We haven’t ever seen anything like this in the Interior,” hydrologist Ed Plumb at the National Weather Service in Fairbanks said Monday as the rain fell.
The service issued a winter storm warning that remains in effect through 6 p.m. today.(Wednesday)
The rain will compact and melt the snowpack and it is possible that runoff from rain and melting snow will cause ponding on roadways and other poor drainage areas, as well as localized flooding, the service advised in a statement Monday. An extremely warm and moist airmass moving around a large high pressure system over the North Pacific pumped warm, moist air into the Interior and much of the rest of the state early Monday morning, resulting in widespread rain from Anchorage to Barrow, said meteorologist Brad Sipperley.
“It started raining at 5:30 a.m.(Monday) and it’s been raining ever since,” he said just before noon. “We’ve had freezing rain from Anchorage to Barrow.”
Rain during the winter in Fairbanks is unusual, and rainfall of more than one-quarter of an inch between mid-November and early April are extremely rare, according to the weather service. This storm is only the second time in more than 100 years that measurable rainfall was recorded in Fairbanks in the second half of November, according to weather service records. The only other November rainfall on record was Nov. 24, 1936, when 0.42 inches of rain fell.
Read more: Fairbanks Daily News-Miner – Ice storm unprecedented in Interior Alaska meteorologists say
Fish Snacks
In preparation for longer runs, we cut some salmon to use as snacks on the trail. Here’s a short “how to” video for anyone interested:
Revised White Mountains Sunset
While Aliy took a nice picture of the sunset from the back of her sled, I think this one came out just a little better:
Snowy Trip to the White Mountains
Snow has been falling for the last few days! It’s a winter wonderland.
Two Rivers added at least 4-5 inches of white powder, but other parts of Interior Alaska got substantially more. On a gamble, we loaded up 30 dogs (three teams of 10 dogs) into the SP Kennel dog trucks and headed to the White Mountains – just to the North of the kennel.
We arrived at the trail head parking lot just before noon. It was a good sign that three Alaska Department of Transportation snow plows were parked there.
Dingle glares at the photographer for dilly-dallying and
Scruggs checks out Big Red’s signage
as Scout, Malibu and Oddball waiting patiently.
After snacking, harnessing, bootying and unpacking all the gear from trucks, we trotted out onto the snow laden trail. And SNOW there was! Rose and Olivia broke trail (6 – 8 inches of fresh snow) for 15 miles. Then Chica and Ranger took over.
The teams ran 25 miles in just under 3 1/2 hours. A little slow for our outfit!
We turned around at a cabin in the woods. While we gave the dogs a short break another dog team pulled into the cabin. It was Ken Anderson (Yukon Quest and Iditarod musher). He was out with a large dog team pulling his chained up four wheel drive ATV towing a trail groomer.
So, when we left the cabin, we had a perfectly smooth 25 mile “race track” back to the trucks.
Perfect day.
This is a sunset photo (not computer enhanced) from the back of a dog sled
– please note the “hanging on to the handlebar, so the team doesn’t leave with out me” angle –
Eagle Pack Pet Food and the Iditarod
EAGLE PACK MAKES IT OFFICIAL!
Working on the Website
We have revamped the Dog Page:
We want all of all of our sled dogs to be recognized for who they are – individuals. Each dog has his or her own updated Dog Card with personal stats and a bio. You might notice that there are several younger dogs now listed and some of the older veterans have new pictures and new sponsors.
We strive to make this Dog Log the most educational and entertaining internet source on sled dog sports. Therefore, the “housekeeping” for the website is constant. Thanks Mac!
SP Kennel Junior Mushers
Dog mushing is officially Alaska’s state sport. Therefore, here at SP Kennel we like to give everybody a chance to fall in love with the sport. That includes the youngest Alaskans. This season we hope to introduce our two young boys, Jacob and Sam, to mushing….. first hand.
Roy gets some loving from Bridgett and Jacob
In order for them to get the full benefit of the sport however, they need a sled. Since most of our sleds are constructed for tall adults, they won’t work. So, Allen has taken on the task.
Ryne and Honda were kind enough to “test drive” the Kids Sled – now were ready!