Late Winter Ray Mountains Dog Sledding Expeditions
Resting on the open tundra enroute to the Ray Mountains - Sled in front is tipped on its side so the team won't
take off without the driver. Wooden tripods are used as markers in the open country.
Our trips
You fly (by regularly scheduled mail plane from Fairbanks) to the village of Tanana, where we meet you and help teach you what you need to know to drive your own team of sled dogs in the woods around the village. Then we pack up our sleds and head up over the highlands to the north and down to a log cabin at the foot of the mountains.
We'll then spend the next days exploring alpine valleys by dogsled, staying in primitive plywood shelter cabins up in the mountains, or possibly a large winter tent (both are heated by wood stoves), and moving at the pace that suits us. We may wish to do a winter ascent of one of the adjacent mountains, or explore around on snowshoes, viewing a variety of boreal forest animals and their sign, the aurora, hopefully lots of sun, and spectacular mountain scenery.
Our dogs are friendly and personable, and our dogsledding is great fun. We supply accommodations, food, and all the arctic gear and outer clothing that you need.
Dog team taking off from camp Team harnessed up and ready to roll
Winter Dogsled Expedition – Ray Mountains – 2012
Length: 11 days
Dates: Feb 17 – Feb 27, Mar 2 – Mar 12, Mar 16 – Mar 26 2012
Cost: $3375 US per person. Includes all meals and accommodations in Tanana and on the trail, dogsled and team, outer winter clothing and boots, winter sleeping bags, equipment, and guide(s).
Maximum Group Size: Four people
Taking a side trip to explore a mountain valley on snowshoes
About the dogs
We keep a small kennel with less than 30 dogs, and while they aren't house dogs, they enjoy attention and affection just as well. Training them is a matter of striking a balance between their work-- (they have a work ethic and pride in their job as much as any herding, hunting, or seeing eye dog) and keeping their enthusiasm high, which is where the affection part comes in. It's the "art" portion of the science of training. Some of the older residents of Tanana grew up with dogs as the only form of transportation, and can remember when talk about dogs dominated many conversations. We have tried to learn from them.
In any case, we can help you to "think like a sled dog" when you are on the back of the sled, but at the end of the day, the mutts enjoy a good petting just like Rex and Fido everywhere. (See our blog article entitled "The Origin of Village Huskies")
When we hike up into the mountains we will sometimes walk our dogs loose along with us - When we
stop to rest, it's time for canine socialization.
Heading up over Smooth Pass in the Ray Mountains
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