Think this could be the COOLEST thing for you to plan for Alaska? I think you're right!
Grab a FREE 20-minute appointment now, to see what YOUR Alaska adventure could look like!
WHAT'S A SLED DOG ADVENTURE LIKE?
The dogs are jumping, lunging, barking and jerking the dogsled that is tied to a post by a long line. You are holding on to the handlebow, knees bend, grip
tightened with one foot on the brake, other foot on the runners -- ready for your sled dog adventure!
The lead team leaves first, and you are next. Remembering your previous lesson, you pull your quick release knot, the rope comes loose and you and the dogs are free, and very
close to flying.
All is suddenly quiet.
The brake slows them down somewhat, but the speed is exhilarating as they chase the team in front. But after a while, the wild lope becomes a trot as your sled --- full of sleeping bags, food, all the accoutrements of camping on this sled dog adventure -- weighs them down. The dogs know they have a job to do. You’re heading out on an overnight winter camping trip in Alaska, and you have about 20 miles to go. Alaskan huskies can do this sled dog adventure in 2-3 hours depending on the trail conditions .
IS THERE A SCHOOL FOR SLED DOG ADVENTURES?
WHAT HAPPENS IN SLED DOG ADVENTURE SCHOOL?
You’ll learn to harness the dogs and position them in the team. Then you head off on a 5mile training run -- you'll start your sled dog adventure in a sitting position, then you trade places with your guide and they sit and help YOU DRIVE the team around the course.
Age is not a factor, but good balance and fairly good physical conditioning are needed.
While the dogs do most of the work, you need to be able to hang on to the handlebars if you tip over, or run after your team if you lose them, as your guide in front will catch them.
Sled dogs do not back up, darn them.
But if you're wondering if YOU are "up" for a sled dog adventure, check out Aaron and Maggie, on the left. They're a pair of typical, middle-aged, suburbanite honeymooners from Jacksonville, FL. They had a BLAST!
WHO'S THE GUIDE ON SLED DOG ADVENTURES?
Your guide, and the owner of the company, is Kathy Lenniger, a lifelong dog musher, salmon fisherman, and outdoorswoman, who has run Sled Dog Adventures out of Fairbanks, AK for more than a decade.
Want to talk to Kathy? She'll pick up the phone at (907) 479-5090!
WHAT DOGS ARE USED FOR SLED DOG ADVENTURES?
Alaskan huskies of every size and color are trained for sled dog adventures. Kathy's largest are 65-70 lbs , the smallest are 40 lbs. and all are solid muscle.
And here's a video of the head K9 for your sled dog adventure, Ace:
CAN YOU OVERNIGHT IN THE WILDERNESS ON A SLED DOG ADVENTURE?
Yes!Whether you go to a cabin or a tent camp, your guide first unhooks the dogs and ties them to stake-out chains from the sled. Then, if camping, Kathy sets up the arctic oven tents, each with their own woodstove,
and gathers local firewood for the stoves and cook fire.
You’ll be served hot drinks and hors d’oeuvres while dinner is cooking,
and you'll melt snow for water for the dogs’ dinner. They eat well and so do you, often
salmon and a stir-fry of fresh vegetables, hot bread, and cheesecake for dessert.
(Your body will crave fat in the cool air.)
ARE THERE TOILETS ON SLED DOG ADVENTURES?
While the cabins have outhouses, the tent camping has the great outdoors and a hole that you dig in the snow. No lingering with a magazine out there!
WHAT GEAR DO YOU NEED FOR A SLED DOG ADVENTURE?Your outfitter will provide arctic outerwear such as parkas, overpants, neck gaitors, hats, boots (if you need them), and large overmitts for just-in-case.
You wear good long underwear, wool socks and other layers. It doesn’t have to be
expensive to be warm.
WHAT'S NIGHTTIME LIKE ON A SLED DOG ADVENTURE?
The stars or northern lights might grace the skies, then it's off to bed in thick arctic sleeping bags. If you've chosen one of the arctic oven tents, there's a window to check the skies at
night. It’s so roomy you can stand up to get in and out of your gear.
The dogs usually serenade you with a group howl or two, and Kathy has even heard wolves respond with a melodic chorus a few times.
WHAT DO CLIENTS SAY ABOUT DOG SLED ADVENTURES?
“this is the best thing I have ever done in my life.”
Sled dog adventures is an intimate immersion in nature in an intense climate, and the power and strength of these amazing huskies imprints in the hearts of so many people who live in amechanized world.
As a 37 year dog driver, Kathy can tell you these dogs do it because they love it, and ask for nothing but a good meal. Their enthusiasm is contagious.
Grab that appointment with Melanie now!
It's free and there's no obligation -- just a time to dream!
It's free and there's no obligation -- just a time to dream!
What are you waiting for? Click this link!
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