The hundred milers are in full swing now and the dogs are responding well. Almost all 25 dogs in training have been on two hundred mile runs and are all happy and healthy. I think the runs have been harder on me then the dogs. the trip takes 15-16 hours and doing them back to back has really pushed me, but I am staying healthy and it is great training. The camp I set up is working great, being able to get in a warm tent and get a little rest is key. It has also been nice to train with Sigrid. the last few runs we have done together have been very beneficail. It is nice for me and the dogs to have some company out there. we are able to work on passing, leading and chasing. since there are no other dogs teams out here it is really important for the dogs to have some contact with other teams. Another great thing about living out here has been visting with the locals. It is great to sit down and listen to stories from the hay days of Eureka and also get alot of adviced from these very expereinced people. Ed and Willow Sulter and Joee and Pam Redington are legends in the sport of dog mushing and I am very lucky to be in there presents. They have been very welcoming to us, and seem to be very excited about the new presents of dogs. Sorry I have not gotten any pics up. I cant seem to figure it out, I think that our internet conection in manley is not fast enough to get them loaded up. So when I go in to town for the Copper Basin I am gioing to get a bunch of pics to Greg (my web Guy) to get them put on the site. We have been getting al ittle bite of snow here and there which has helped freshen up the trials and also allowed Kyla to get out on the sled. It was one hell of a first run but i have to say Kyla was great. She had six dogs and was able to keep them under control as my leaders went the wrong way, through all the caose she showed great composer. Even though you never want the first run to be that eventfull, it was all good in the end because I now have total confidence in Kyla and her mushing ablitlies. As you can see there is alot going on out here and everything is going very well. The Copper Basin is less then a month away so the next few weeks of training is extremly important. I have a great feeling about the dogs right now, my biggest concern is that i have to start fuiguring out who I am going to take and who I need to cut from the team. This is going to be hard but something I need to do so I can focus on the strongest dogs. ok I better get going I hope all is well with everybody. Have a Merry Chrstmas and A Happy New Year. Until Next time
Bwildandfree
