It was close to -30 today in Fairbanks, so my friend Melissa and I headed for the hills.  We ran on trails I was recently introduced to.  What a change to run on new trails!  It was great for the dogs’ heads and nice for the mushers too.  We doubled sledded each others’ team which was probably a good idea for the first run up there.

Being New Year’s Day we encountered more people than generally use that area.  My team had 2 head-on passes and they did really well.  Melissa’s team encountered some snow machines and a family skiing.  It was a fun day and being out of the biting cold down in the valley was very fun!

Check out the pictures below, and the short video I made of the run

The team finished the run and parked alongside the truck

Melissa getting her team ready for her run.

Sprint mushers are renowned for being very specific about the conditions in which they run their dogs.  This one is no different.

With the temperatures plummeting in the valleys to -30 and below, we tend to move to higher ground.  The temperature inversions are pretty strong this time of year – cold air staying locked in the valleys and higher ground having air circulating and bringing in warmer temps.  Today I joined my friend Ken Anderson, Iditarod veteran 7 times over, and multi-time top 10 finisher, on his snow machine checking out his local trails.  Ken used to be a stage racer, even when he was competing in Iditarod, he would train his team to do both types of racing.

The past week has been a very busy one.  Sorry for the lack of posting.

I loaded the dogs in the truck and headed to Salcha for some great 10-mile runs.  Our head-on passing is getting much better, and Katrina is getting better with culverts.  I know, though, the numerous culverts in Anchorage will be major obstacles.  I am hoping that our training every run through the culvert will at least prepare Katrina mentally for big, black holes in the trail.

Today has been one of those December days you hope for – snow falling all day and moderate temperatures.  The dogs were outside a lot today, and though it was not a training day, they were all fired up.

I have been having issues with my ATV starting when it is -10F or colder.  I just can’t see what the problem is!  So, after towing the poor machine unceremoniously to my neighbour’s heated lumber shed the machine warmed up and was happy again.  Not having my own heated shed I am starting to see the benefits.