Bumpy Trails
9
october 2003
As
our fall days still were above freezing Casey and I still kicked
each other out of bed each morning. Usually one would start the
4 wheelers and the other quickly jumps out of bed. We were watering
and harnessing the dogs in the dark and than usually ran into the
sunrise. Zip and Wondar are doing great in lead, so does Libby in
Casey’s Team. To avoid boredom for the dogs, we try to run
on different trails each day, not always easy as the mileages go
up. I tried the Little River Trail, the bridge is as usual a challenge,
but somebody got stuck in there really screwed up the trail.
Once
or twice each fall I like to go up the Sifton Range, a climb from
about 2500 to 5800 feet, rocky and steep above Harrison Lake. On
Thursday the 9th Casey and I struggled our way up, each thinking
the other one is ahead. Near the top were 18 dall sheep waiting
for us, Casey hung a left, me a right towards the pass and 57 Mile
Lake. The swamps back there are perfect to train new leaders, giving
them the right confidence and we had a blast.
Unfortunately the way down did not go all that smooth for me, a
little driving mistake and I slowly tipped the machine to the right,
but than really gaining momentum and rolling it 3 times. None of
the dogs were hurt, but grinding noises in my shoulder did not sound
good, I could not have let go. It was a long, long 30 km home with
pretty amazing pain after the shock had left.
Dogs are fine, 4wheeler pulling to the right, but Sab has a broken
collar bone and 2 cracked ribs.
In the meantime I can at least type again, although that is still
a long way from training dogs. Casey and Christine left for a 2
week vacation down south. Martin Jahr will be coming over from Haines
Junction next week to help Jocelyne train the 2 teams, while I am
downgraded to sit at the office desk once again, what a shame, to
see the wonderful minus 15°C this morning, that would have been
a great run!
