Sled Rides and Glacier Training... What a Treat!

May 21, 2011

Sled Rides and Glacier Training... What a Treat!

Punchy, loving life. He always has something to say.
One of the best Howlers on the glacier.
© Sarah M. Waterman

So, everyone got up here 8 MAY 11, with all 240 dogs, plus a few extras thrown into the mixture, and all went well. We got what else needed to be taken care of at camp done. Settled in, met the new people, the returning ones, shared their stories of the times before. It was fun to listen to. At the same time, you get a little worried, hoping to not get into the same craziness they did. Only time will tell. Before our first day of tours, a couple teams went out to try out the knew sleds and the trails. It was great. The dogs were super excited to be working, that's for sure!

12 MAY 11, our first day of tours! Everything went well, it really wasn't all that busy, but fun. Not going to lie, I was nervous and didn't want to screw anything up. Well, I didn't... ok, so this woman from England was walking with me, yeah she was elderly, not that old, and well, she kind of fell in the snow. She was fine, no biggy. I honestly crapped my pants, but I figured, she's English, she probably had a few Toddies before she came up. Honestly, it wasn't anything, but I did poo a little.

On the 15th, we had glacier training. Which is great to learn about, especially with the crevasses that open up on the glacier as the snow melts. We learned how to set a Deadman, an anchor in which we use in case we don't have a picket. Now, you have to remember, it was a lot to take in and I am probably going to screw up the terms, so... I will just let you know, I now know how to set a 3 in 1 and a 9 in 1, if need be. On to the next...