Mt Redoubt Activity (Volcano, AK)

Mt Redoubt , an active volcano, has had some increased activity recently. Will try to copy the URL for checking or go to http://www.adn.com/ and check it out. Last August when my granddaughter and I visited AK, there had been some ash spewing from volcanic activity , shutting down the airports up there just prior to our trip (did not affect us). Redoubt is on Cook Inlet, southwest of Anchorage. The warning level is at Orange for now, with some increase in seismic activity in the last day. Hopefully, it will settle down before all of the Iditarod traffic.

When the volcanoes erupt, it causes air quality problems of all types, including for dogs outside.

www.avo.alaska.edu/activity/Redoubt/php

Photo: Flying a bit north over Redoubt area, winter.

Cold Weather Gear, Here and in Alaska

At minus fifteen this morning and chatting with all going to Iditarod about warm gear, it's timely to review our favorite winter gear items. I will be wearing this hat as I go out to feed dogs this cold a.m. In 2000 I took a dog sled class/ camping trip with Aliy and Kaz Zirkle out of Two Rivers, AK. Temps reached minus thirty out there, but Aliy/Kaz had provided a great gear list for us and we were well dressed for our adventure. I am repeating some of this here, with credits to Aliy/Kaz, !

Natural Extremes. Take a trip with them! www.aliyzirkle.com, www.spkenneldoglog.blogspot.com

In the photo are three items I take to winter Alaska each time I go. The beaver hat has ear flaps that fold down and keep your cheeks warmer in bitter cold. This one I bought at the craft fair in Nome at Iditarod 03... that is a not to miss event, reasonable prices. Layer under it with a balaclava AND a neck gaiter (which you can turn as it frosts up).

The Outdoor Research overboots have a warm foam foot base and are surpisingly stable for walking. I wore them all day at the Finger Lake checkpoint and was very glad to have them. I purchased these on sale in a small gear store off Spenard Ave in Anchorage. Mushers sometimes carry these in their sleds, they are lightweight. Mine are size Large to fit over my mukluks or Sorels. (I wear a size 7.5 in boots).

The large mitts are useful for many outdoor outings. I have them strung together with leather shoestrings and put them through the sleeves of any jacket I'm wearing. They are large enough to not have to fumble when your fingers need a QUICK warmup. I put handwarmers in the thumb and hand parts. I also use them on the dog sled or on the snowmachine when going for long runs with the dogs. I will also be wearing this a.m., as a base layer, my expedition weight poly t-neck underwear tops and bottoms. My favorite outer pants are detachable bibs from Cabela's. They are out of them now or I would have a second pair. (I threw away the bib straps as I find bib straps a nuisance).

Hands: Gordini lava wool gloves with windproofing and leather/vinyl palms, REAL Ragg wool gloves or mittens (some Ragg mittens have leather palms), REI windproof fleece tightfitting gloves. I find I need all of the above for warmth, photo shooting, standing around AND the big mitts in the photo. You can layer the Ragg gloves with small tight fleece ones underneath as wool is not windproof. Nothing is perfect for hands but these are my favorites. Fingertips do still get cold in Gordini's but I put ToastiToes in the palms. (And I have tried expensive and inexpensive multiple types of mittens/gloves... lots of $$ in experimenting, these are my best, but not perfect, for hands.

Avoid COTTON in anything (sweatshirts, tee shirts, socks, etc.)

Socks: My new favorites (and I'm out every day in all weather, no matter what), are LLBean men's boot socks. I buy a Medium, wash and dry them and they shrink to a nice warm cushioned fit. (don't go by this suggestion, shrinking just works for me). I hardly, if ever, wear two pairs of socks (too tight, feet cold). I never wear sock liners and I never wear fleece socks or silk. But , we're all different so whatever works, it takes experimenting.

Not to be forgotten are the ThermaCare warmers sold in WalMart, etc. They are stick ons for neck, back, knees , wrist, etc. I carry a couple of them for checkpoints to add extra warmth , if needed (or if you have to sleep on a floor somewhere out there). Also , of course, handwarmers and ToastiToes for gloves, mittens and feet. They cool off quickly in below zero temps so a good supply is essential.

Another favorite item is the survival sheet that you can buy in camping sections. They are pocket sized folded up reflector sheets that give immediate protection from the wind. We have used them wrapped around us waiting for a plane on bitter cold lakes or airstrips. Also nice to have, easy to carry in an emergency ( or to sleep on a floor if stranded at a checkpoint).

Do you have our breakfast?

In a cold spell here, but not as bad as the last one. Minus seven right now with wind. The deer herd that yards up in the swamp over the ridge still counts sixteen, this year's fawns still looking good.

What it Takes

A sled dog kennel is a farm, 24/7/365 attention. We are never 'off duty'.

E.g. at 4:23 AM today, loud screaming came from the pens. I was already up, but I hurriedly grabbed my pants, boots, headlamp and went out the door with the three house dogs running ahead. Two dogs who never 'break out' were running in the valley. Luckily, ever vigilant Sierra, (Elkhound) was off and running, rounded them up and herded them back to their pen.

I would love to know what she 'says' to them to accomplish that. I could smell fox musk yesterday and again this a.m. so I'm guessing a fox came too close to the pen and they chased it.

Schedule, daily:

4AM I usually get up about this time and start the soup (cooked meat and rice).

5AM House chores, answer email, etc.

6AM Feed house dogs, finish soup, head out.

7 AM Feeding, checking health, pens, etc. Feed wildlife. Give the meds.

8AM If running teams, setting up, if not running teams, start the free runs. Clean the pens.

10AM Either still running teams, or doing catch up around the kennel, repairing gates, fences,

still free running dogs.

11AM Hauling more straw,grooming trails, cleaning out straw, hauling waste pails to pit, all the chores.

Noon If finished running teams, time for errands, loading up on supplies, hauling supplies.

Afternoon Sometimes running teams, hauling supplies (bags of dog food, meat, straw, fencing, etc.)

3PM Prep and soup or feed all the dogs, wildlife.

In below zero temps we go back out to pens about 7PM to check each dog. If very cold, we coat the dogs who will wear them.

And then there are the surprises, often daily, that require some kind of attention.

Well done

Enjoying salmon soup after a long run.

Snow Dogs

Each and every dog here loves snow. This week's great snow has them revved up to run.

Look at this six dog team all smiling. The two leaders are pen mates , Buffy and Rosie.

They race each other each a.m. in the free runs. Buffy has raced in Alaska. Rosie is fastest but Buffy is the leader.

Rosie runs lead well, as noted in this photo, but doesn't yet know her commands.

The two swing dogs are Sherpa and Kiddo. Kiddo is a veteran of numerous local races.

Sherpa is the youngest dog in our kennel and is Skinny's granddaughter.

The two hard pulling wheel dogs are Quattro, age seven and Copper, age four. Both dogs have racing experience, Copper in the Iditarod (06) and Quattro in sprint and 30 mile races.

Sixteen Miles, Granddaughter and Grandpa

No funny stories or shenanigans yesterday, just postcard perfect trails and sixteen miles of running with enthusiastic dogs. Katie ran four dogs (Ruthie, Buffy, Medio, Herman) and Jim ran six dogs ( Buffy, Rosie, Sherpa, Kiddo, Quattro and The Man, Copper). Three deer leaped from a high snow bank right out in front of Katie's team over by the Michigan turnaround, wish I had had my camera out, but the little pros didn't bat an eye at them, just kept barreling down the trail.

On the second run we met seven snowmachines but all was smooth. Most machine drivers are very courteous and like seeing the dogs. We always pull over and hold the dogs for a clean pass.

On blind curves our machine goes out in front.

Family Day

It was a great day for the dogs and the people; 20 month old Fina was being introduced to dog sledding by her Daddy as her Mama took to the trails. Fina and Skinny (aka Ninny) are friends of sorts.

The trails were perfect for running, fresh snow and hard packed base. The dogs were stomping to go. Temps were in the upper teens.

We ran two four dog teams and one six dog team. Ruthie ran lead on all three teams, sharing the spot with Buffy on the other two. Aging Lillen did a great job in lead, as always, on the 1st team. Matilda had a pulled muscle so she was sidelined. Kiddo, Sherpa, Ruthie and Buffy made the first team out; 2nd team was Buffy, Ruthie, Medio and Herman; 3rd team was Ruthie, Buffy, Medio, Herman, Copper (what a guy!) and Quattro. All were really into pulling today, not fence running. Thanks to Tim, our visual fence is working!

The dogs who were left behind did make it known they were not to be forgotten. Yepa scaled the fence into Buffy's pen, twice. Next time we'll take her , she's made her point.

Playtime; Coat Count

New snow and more running. Yuki ate another coat (red, recycled). Her laceration is not healing and she will not keep anything on it to protect it. Now that it's warming up , we'll try something different.

We had 27 dogs running yesterday. My son groomed the trails and it just kept snowing, 5/6 inches or more, snowed all day. Next will be the gate chopping, always after a big snow. It's a bit warmer today after those minus windchills. All coats will come off today. We'll run at 11AM, small teams, good trails.

Frita and Family

Frita and family (Yuki, Yepa, Swix) wait their turns to run. Frita is a great leader sidelined by a hip problem, but she is still all heart. Her other pups are Yo, Zoom, Yeti and Tsunami in other pen families.

Flying Low

Ruthie and Josie remind me of small airplanes when they get out to run/warm up. They take off 'flying' and all other dogs warm up as they cheer, waiting their own turns. They are not coat eaters, but the count is up to ten coats eaten now. Some dogs do appreciate them.

The cold is abating a bit and we have snow on my unloaded straw :( this morning. Caught me off guard.

The Bell is Ringing

We have a bell in a tree that signals a windy night/day. It is clanging away. The temp is minus four right now and predicted to reach minus twenty or more again tonight, up to minus forty windchills.

The toll (other than the tolling bell ) of this weather:

8 coats have been eaten : Quattro (blue, new), King, (green, recycled)(swallowed the WHOLE coat), Martin,(new blue), Yuki, (tan recycled), Matilda,(yellow, recycled), Ruby,(red, new) Lillen, (red, new), Frita (red, new) (most of these are racers who should know better). Just a reminder that these dogs are wolfy ('wolf' down their 'things' so others can't have them, territorial about their coats? or just don't want them). Not so great for digestive tracts: cordura, velcro and fleece.

15 bales of straw have been distributed, for houses, for nestling.

Yuki took a hit of who knows what on her side, looks like she was scalped, but not bleeding, so she got a trip to the vet. About four inches long, one inch wide. We have a wrap for her and a new coat (hope she still has the coat in the a.m.)

Cooking twice a day for them: meat and rice for breakfast (with kibble); meat/rice for soup, p.m.

Machines are all still starting up.

Next week: meltdown predicted... NO, NO, we have great trails right now.

Photo: YO, with early a.m. icing, minus twenty.

Deer herd and the schedule

Last night the buck and his family stood on the trail and watched as I gave soup to the dogs, never wavering when the house dogs set up camp next to them. But let a stranger appear and they're out of here...dogs fine, humans, uh oh!

That finished, they led the way to their feeding station. Dogs first, deer second. After supper they hung around the house, bet it radiates some warmth through the logs? or was it 'cause I spilled the corn, the whole barrel ? (slid into it with the snowmachine:( It's nice to be able to give them some support in this fairly tough winter .

Most dogs ran yesterday. Cold is coming (it is already cold) starting today? Thursday looks to be the worst day ahead.

Meantime the reports from the CB 300 are amazing, voice reports from the trail by Bridgett and Macgellan on http://www.spkenneldoglog.blogspot.com/. Their bitter cold continues .

Savage weather

The Anchorage Daily News reports that mushers in the Copper Basin are dealing with savage weather conditions: dogs are happy, but methods to keep them covered including using fox tails for the males. The trucks are not happy and must be kept plugged in or running. The humans are using every bit of gear to prevent frostbite including handlebar covers/shields.

At this moment Lance Mackey is leading and Allen is in the top four, but it looks to me (what do I know?) as if he's in the top two, for now. Photos on www.cb300.com show it all, whew!

Copper Basin 300; sled dog updates

Copper Basin 300 starts today, http://www.cb300.com/

We will be watching for Aliy Zirkle and Allen Moore. Allen is the defending champion and will be running the A team for their kennel, http://www.aliyzirkle.com/ and http://www.spkenneldoglog.blogspot.com/ updated by Macgellan. Allen drew Bib 3, Aliy drew Bib 23.

Lance Mackey , defending champion, withdrew from the Yukon Quest. MUSHING magazine reported this month that he has a major problem with circulation, a side effect of the treatments for cancer he had a few years ago. He has the amazing string of two years of winning both the Yukon Quest and the Iditarod. Last year his great leader was hit by a snowmachine in the All Alaska Sweepstakes.

The cold is predicted to be coming here on Tuesday but last night it got to ten below with that bright full moon and cloudless sky. (nothing like Alaskan current cold).

Plans, ha , ha, ha and ha !

We had a plan to take a six dog team on a six mile run, at about 8AM. As often happens, it had snowed a bit and we needed to re-drag the trail, put up a safety fence (visual guide to dogs to close off a trail) and shovel out an exit from our land (where it had been plowed high). All takes time, but we are methodical and we had our plan. (1st HA!) At 8:30 we took off with the first team, a bit late. All went fairly well, but on leaving the shoveled exit we had to choose the 4 mile trail rather than the 6 mile to avoid a car coming along. Fine with the dogs, they were flying. and after that run, we came back to hook up a second team.

Knowing that a tour of snowmachines was coming on that trail at 10 AM we decided we'd run our own trails. (Plan B). We moved the fence, again, to signal to the dogs that we're not going out the gate. (2nd HA!)

We hooked up five strong raring to go dogs and took off. I was driving the machine and the sled driver had decided there was no need to ride the drag as the dogs would 'get' it, the change of plans, because we had our safety fence as a visual guide. (3rd HA!) I couldn't catch him and next I saw the sled was tipped, he was being dragged and the dogs were going UNDER the safety fence .

The sled hook was bouncing upward. I jumped off my machine and threw my body over the tipped sled (not quite a HA, but ha ha!) I said, "Jim, the sled hook is face up." He was buried under the sled with his hat over his eyes and he could not get up. He said "I can't see."

I planted the hook as best I could in the punchy deep snow (it didn't hold). He managed to right himself to his belly, and there we went, both of us 'old coots' on our bellies, hanging on ( you know, never let go!) taking the doggoned fence right with us. I started to laugh and couldn't stop when he said, " Careful, Julie!"as we barreled through the fence, (4th HA, ha ha ha ha ha... how could I be careful?)

I saw a big brown UPS truck barreling down the road. And, as I was being dragged with the safety fence totally wrapped in the sled, I remember picking pieces of the fence out of the brake, and he kept repeating, "I can't get up" (meaning he couldn't swing onto the runners.;)... kind of like we were on a journey together... me picking out the fence, him trying to drive, like in slow motion, both hanging on with an arm.

It all happened fast, of course, and next I knew he had dumped me off in knee deep snow (somehow) and was flying away with the happy dogs , through the shoveled exit and back to Michigan , again.

So, according to the PLAN, I was the machine driver. I ran back , got on the still running machine and chased him. Other than a few more small glitches, it got just a bit more intense, but I couldn't stop laughing .

The greatest photo would have been of the two of us hanging on to the sled being dragged on our bellies, with the blaze orange safety fence, flying like a sail as we ricocheted toward the big brown UPS truck, dogs laughing. But there is no such photo, just this one of the snow covered driver returning home and his still happy team.

When we returned there was a package on the porch from UPS and I started laughing all over again. Guess you had to be there.

Then, we had a conversation about planning, sled control, clear voice commands, requiring the dogs to obey our commands, the brake versus the drag, swearing, etc. Seriously, all of the drama was preventable if one of us had been in control , ha ha, ha ha, .....!

BTW four of these five dogs have had numerous races (experience).

Run run

Yesterday we didn't hook up teams, but most dogs got a run. Early a.m. it was cold (minus teens) but no wind to make it worse , some dogs wore coats all morning , but the afternoon warmed up, with nice sun and all were out sunbathing. Buddy took a late day walk on the hard trails with me.

Over night temps were not expected to get below plus 14 so it should have been a comfortable night. It is snowing a bit now, nice for our trails.

Photo: Ruthie and Josie still wearing coats in mid morning.

The Big Chill?

Alaska is experiencing a big chill. Saw a thermometer from Aliy's kennel hovering around minus fifty eight. That is cold. See via the blog , http://www.spkenneldoglog.blogspot.com/,

that they have headed to the 'hills' for warmer (minus 25) training temps, in prep for the Copper Basin race.

It is minus thirteen here this a.m., a balmy day in comparison, but we coated several dogs, and added more straw. Unfortunately, one of the coats was eaten yesterday, (as was one glove, one handkerchief) some just don't like their coats. Lillen won't move if she has a coat on, just stands in place, glaring. Today's temps, however, are expected to reach high twenties, so in the roller coaster of weather, we hope it doesn't get to melting.

All dogs are running well.

Happy Dog New Year

The dogs were almost laughing with glee yesterday as they hit the trails. Trails were groomed like a superhighway, nice and wide. The drivers did a great job!