Valentine's Day Dog Sledding

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Headed up to Lincoln with some friends for the "Race to the Sky", Montana's annual dog sled race, and hopefully a ride on a dog sled - something I've been wanting to do for years. The road through the Blackfoot Canyon was surprisingly dry and clear (thank goodness), and it was smooth sailing all the way to Lincoln.

Found a parking spot and trudged up to the top of a hill in knee-deep snow to get some photos of the six kids in the Junior race, then afterward found the folks who were offering the sled rides and signed up. I thought $30 was a reasonable price for what I thought was going to be about an hour ride (for something I would probably never get to do again). There were five sleds and three guides, and we were told that we would not only be riding in the sleds but would also have to opportunity to drive it! This was an adventure I had not expected, and it only added to my excitement and anticipation. Our guide told us there were three basic rules for driving a dog sled;

1. Don't let go of the sled

2. Don't let go of the sled

3. DON'T LET GO OF THE SLED!

If you do, the dogs will not stop and wait for you, and it will be a long walk back.

My friend Danette was to drive our sled first and part of her job as the driver was to hold the lead dog and keep the gang line straight as the other dogs were being hooked up. This was not an easy task, as Siberian Huskies are extremely strong, and do not like to stand still - or keep quiet. Every dog on every sled was barking and howling, as if trying to hurry us all up.

Finally they were all harnessed, the newly ordained "mushers' took their place on the runners of the sled with both feet on the brake, the tether was released, and we were off!

After going only a few hundred yards we had our first mishap. Our dogs cut a turn too tight and the sled ran up on a snowbank, the sled tipped over and I ended up in the snow. With the sled on its side there was no brake to stop the dogs and we hurried to right the sled. Once it was upright Danette jumped on the brake and I jumped back into the "basket".

Another 50 feet or so and the second mishap - a rabbit ran across the trail in front of the team ahead of us and the dogs gave chase. Fortunately Danette was able to hold our team and keep at least the sled on the trail. A few more minutes getting dogs calmed down and straightened out and we were off again.

As we sped along I took numerous photos - and the saying is true - if you ain't the lead dog, the scenery never changes. There were a few more mishaps (fortunately not ours), of other sleds tipping over, and at one point a tipover lost both passenger and driver. Luckily one of the guides caught the team or we may never have seen them again.

Halfway through our trip we stopped to trade places and I had the wheel - or rather - the sled. You have to lean to help keep the sled on the trail in the turns, and at a couple of points I was standing with both feet on the same runner facing sideways. Driving a dog sled really gives your arms a good workout! Plus the momentum in the turns sometimes made it a bit tricky to regain my balance as we straightened back out.

I would have to say that Danette had the tougher run - hers was all uphill, but at least I didn't tip her over...

Our ride lasted almost two hours - and what a rush! One of the best adventures yet and I would do this again in a heartbeat!