Game On!

Looking up a the mountains, I spied a low snow line. Figuring I might have to hike my skis for a some distance I was surprised, I could ski pretty close from the trailhead. A bit of powder on a hard base made for a fun kick and glide for the first day out. Sunny, warm, and no wind would keep the spirits high regardless of the snow conditions.

This time of year we share the trails with moose. Exercise some caution and its quite a nature show to watch.

After returning home, I put my comments down on the local trails report, finding out they appeared in the morning paper.ADN article on start of ski season Yep , "Took me a dozen years to ready my rock skis for today."

The start of ski season, Game On!

One-On-Bob

I like to take our each of our malamutes out individually. you'd probably call that a day of One-On-One, we call it a day of One-On-Bob. One-On-Bob days are a special experience because we have 3 of our own dogs, plus a foster or two. I find it boosts the bond between each dog and myself, its more enjoyable sometimes just to have one dog because its easier to care for just one dog and much simpler when afield, and boosts the confidence of our shy dogs to run free. To go out individually is a rare treat for the foster dog and a real good one at that. We should do this more often, it really helps in managing the foster dog, but we seldom do, I guess we'd rather take our own malamutes out individually.

Today I took Healy out by herself. About 4 miles into the hike, in the tundra, I let her off her leash to run loose.

She played bumper pool with my legs for a bit then realized she really was free. She took off running like the Greek fleet footed god Mercury.

They show their thanks for a One-On-Bob day in many ways. For Healy you just need to look into her face and watch her tail.

Thanks Healy, what a great day to connect.

The Eyes Have It

I love to see the dogs run free, its amazing what happens when they are outside, in the mountains and running free.  When I capture them in picture and can see their eyes, like in this picture, I get even more excited. Just like they are.

Our foster dog Healy.

Healy further down the trail

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Click on any picture to enlarge it.

Splash into Fall

Fall time is special to us. The air is brisk and when moisture falls I think, "just a little bit colder and this could be Snow!". Best of all are the splash of colors in the alpine tundra. They don't last long, but they are spectacular while they are around. Hurricane Creek Valley behind Valley.

Who wouldn't have a big smile on their face running in these colors?

On our way to the pass. Valley is so patient sometimes.
The colors can be subtle but still splendid.
The ever happy Rocket.
Happy Healy!
It was a day where the colors just never quit giving.
Click on any picture to enlarge.

Marked one off the Bucket List

On my bucket list of hikes in Alaska was a trip though the backcountry of Hatcher Pass. There is a hut system just beyond the ridges of mountains seen from the road and I had never been to any of them. After this weekend I x'd out this entry. (As always you can click on the picture to enlarge.)

Started out with beautiful sunny skies, wish those stayed around.


Ended up hiking with 5 folks the first day then just one other continued on for a night at the Bomber Hut.


Before long we were hiking in fresh snow, the first snow of the season. Valley loved this, it finally cooled down for her.


Always good views around, we were never without something inspiring.


Yes there were people along.


Looking back at what is known as The Nunatak on the Snowbird Glacier.


She pretty much had a good face on the whole time.


View shot when the clouds lifted.


looking for marmots kind of an equivalent to a ground squirrel. They have an extremely high pitched whistle which drives the dogs nuts so they give chase. I used to hike with an opera singer, and she could never get a high enough pitch to match that whistle.


Standing at the front door to the Bomber Hut.


Looking back at what we hiked up, standing at the rear of the hut.


Start of the way out on our way out to the rigs.


Posing :)


Pennyroyal Glacier right before the start of the winters snow accumulation.

This is the Bomber Glacier. A B29 crashed on a snowy stormy night in 1957. There were some survivors, but the bomber still sits there. This picture was taken, right before it started snowing.


Valley climbed this almost on her own. I top roped her. But really it was her work that moved her up this 15 to 20 foot "slope".


I gotta go down that? 500 feet to the Upper Reed Lakes.


The last day it was raining and snowing on the glacier. The Girl loves being lose regardless of the weather.


Valley launching off a boulder, she was incredible the way she handled maneuvering though the big boulder fields, just amazing.


Just to show the scale of rocks.


here we are on a trail! about a half mile from the car, Valley doesn't look tired but happy! We were tired and dragging.


At home, she was so tired she didn't eat until the next day. When I sat down in the morning to give her the morning routine, the morning pet down, she growled at me LOL. Ok she can sleep in :)

What Goes Around, Comes Around

The first homeless dog I found a home for was/is Healy. There were 19 malamutes in Haines who needed a home in a hurry and Healy was one of those. She made her way up to Anchorage to the Alaska SPCA. Molly Moldovan of the Canadian malamute rescue group AMHL (Alaskan Malamute Help League) contacted me to check up on her and I did. I started walking her, then made up a flyer with her picture on it and placed it around town. She was adopted by a nice person and taken home. What could be better?

Well she was returned last week. Healy didn't get along with a pitbull living there, and we took her back. So after 9 years Healy is back again. What goes around comes around. We now have the first dog I adopted out, Healy. And the third dog I adopted out Rocket :)

Healy in 2002.


Healy in 2011


Healy is doing great.

Making herself right at home.

She loves to go on hikes and walks around the neighborhood.


She can stay here as long as she wants. I hope she finds a home, she certainly has enough love to fill it up. But she's good to stay here.

The Friendly Arctic

We recently traveled to the Brooks Range where we spent 10 days dayhiking off the Haul Road. It was a trip warm and sunny for the most part with the occasional Arctic Mosquito disturbing the piece. Everyday was a new day of hiking in different and exciting terrain.







We've traveled to the Brooks Range many times before. It offers a great time to hike, enjoy the out of doors and spend time with our malamutes. What could be better?

Rock Dog

Valley is my Rock Dog. She's my choice to lead me through boulder and rock fields, which is not an easy task. If she pulls too hard I lose balance and fall, possibly resulting in injury. If I don't move fast enough, she can't maneuver and loses her way. Keep in mind, she is leading through all this. She picks the route and sets the pace. I follow.

Those boulders are bigger than she is.


even the small ones are a challenge, they get really slippery when wet.


After the boulder field taking a well earned break.


Valley, best rock dog I ever had.

Three Ridges Two Valleys

The low snow year has made the high country accessible earlier than in past years. Its a full month ahead of last year when late March and Early April snowstorms left alot of snow on the ground.

Sunburst Ridge on the left, Sunnyside on the left and way back there covered in snow is Silvertip . Below her is Turnagain Pass and of course in the foreground is Valley. Three Ridges and two Valleys :)


Oh boy does she love to run!


Valley always happy to be out!