Steep learning curve on the Pisa Range

After much excitement, planning and preparation we were up in the snow at last with the dogs… but we had some significant hurdles to overcome.

On Monday things were looking particularly bleak…the weather was cold and windy, the access we had thought we could get to the back country seemed to be blocked or impassible, and to add to the challenges, I had lost my voice.

It’s quite hard to talk to landowners or send commands to the dog sled team when all that comes out is a squeak!

As reflected on the situation it dawned on me that this is where “real” adventures start.  It is when things are not going as planned that true grit is called for.

Princess Willow in her booties

Colin and I decided to adapt our plan.  Just as we had discovered during our training, sometimes you have to “slow down in order to go faster”!  While I dropped down to lower altitude to get better, Colin started training the dogs to spend more time out in the snow, get used to their new jackets and curl up in straw to stay warm.  Colin also went through the arduous task of putting on all 24 booties to his 6 dog team.

By Wednesday things were looking up and Kate and her 2 dogs joined us for our first exploratory overnight trip.  After significant time packing heaps of gear we decided to take 2 sleds each with a 3 dog team, and Kate with her 2 dog team.  I had not driven a sled before so after a quick lesson we headed out into the Pisa Range.

As the sky began to turn red we arrived at Bob Lee Hut.  We stake the dogs out on their cable gangline next to the hut and settled in for a night of howling at the full moon (and some ‘barking’ coughing from me).

Thursday dawned a bluebird day and we headed off into untracked territory.  But not before I had rolled the sled going down the first hill!  Learner driver… lookout!

Soon we left the easy trails and headed uphill – not something that the dogs were that keen on, so they kept turning around.  It took alot to get it into their minds that we wanted to go uphill through deep snow with heavy sleds to pull (they thought we were crazy).  After alot of hard work by dogs and humans we at last reached the ridgeline.  We were learning about what kind of terrain and conditions we really needed.

Colin helps the team up the slope

Meanwhile up ahead, Kate on skis and her team were doing really well.  And after a while the dogs began to learn to “follow the ski tracks” – a great lesson for what was ahead.

Both 2 legged and 4 legged team members were delighted to see Kirtle Burn Hut and our stopping point for the night.

Kirtle Burn Hut

Late that night under a full moon, Erik skied in to join us and our team was complete at last.

close call

The next morning was low cloud and rising wind, so we opted to stay in the valley and travel down next to a small stream.  It was challenging for the sleds and mushers not to end up falling into one of the large holes (the dogs were smart and stayed well clear).

With help from Erik – who was on skis – through the tricky sections, we made it through the deep snow and twists and tight turns in the valley.  It was exciting exploration and everyone was grinning.

The final run along the valley floor through deep snow was a challenge that the dogs lapped up as they raced toward the more familiar groomed trails of the Snow Farm.  Their relief in getting there was very clear!

So, we have survived our first big trip and learned a HUGE amount about the terrain, equipment and mindset that both we and the dogs need to succeed.

Now it is time for a rest before our next expedition.  We plan to go out again next week into the ” Old Woman Range” – I’m sure there will be plenty of jokes about that!

– Sarah Wilson

A great overnighter

As the dogs romped along in the snow, effortlessly pulling the sled and chasing skiers we knew we were close to Snow Dog heaven.

It had been a tough week of wild weather, rain and ice.  Our four team members were spread across 4 different locations, communications were challenging and the roads were getting muddy and nasty.

Erik walks up the road

And then the idea of going up the “Old Woman Range” came up.  Erik Bradshaw’s local knowledge was paying off and we decided to head up the Nevis Road and see what we could find.   As the skies cleared and a fresh dusting of snow emerged our spirits rose.  The dogs were keen to get out into the snow again and we were ready!

We arrived at Duffer’s saddle and unpacked our gear (we are getting better at taking less) and Erik loaded up his baby buggy that was going to be converted into a dog powered sled.  It was about then that Kate’s wee boy Olli threw up.  Sadly he was coming down with a bug and it meant that he and Kate would have to go back home.  Aghhh – so tough for Kate and her dogs who were so near and yet so far.  We took a team photo and Kate managed a grimace… she will be back!

The remaining team set off along the snowy track to the Old Woman Hut, only a few kilometres away.

It was an easy journey compared with the toil we had getting into the Kirtle Burn the previous week.  This time Sarah was on skis rather than driving a sled which was probably a relief for dogs and humans (although possibly less entertaining).

As we reached the turn-off to the hut and the DOC sign for the “Old Woman” Conservation Area, it was remarked that “maybe the area would get more visitors if it was called the “Young Woman Range” 🙂

We had a brisk and exciting descent to the hut where the dogs sat happily in the sun and chewed on the frozen salmon we had bought as treats (their food was even better than ours).

That evening in the hut Erik pulled out his maps of the area, and by torch light we began to trace out ideas for the ‘Classic’ Snow Dog Trail.  Details are still coming together, but it may be a 10 day epic that we take on next year.

The next day we got organised and headed out for a light-weight trip to the tops. Snow conditions were excellent and the dogs were getting into the exploration groove.  We zoomed along the high plateau of snow with the occasional rock outcrop providing direction.  This terrain is just perfect for the dogs towing a skier or a sled, and it is conceivable to easily travel 25 kms or more in a day.

Both 2 legged and 4 legged team members grinned with pleasure as we scooted back down to the hut.  Snow Dog heaven indeed.

Carrying the Sled

However, the journey back down the road became tricky when we discovered that alot of the snow from the day before had melted, meaning that wheels were easier than sleds.  This is something we are going to have to work on in future.

We made it back to the truck and all agreed that it had been an excellent overnight trip.  It is relatively easy trip for people to take on with good access (4WD with chains are still recommended – or otherwise it is a longer walk in) and a nice hut close by.  The terrain in this area is superb for the dogs – not too steep – and we found good snow conditions.  One thing to watch is that the tops are pretty featureless, so if you get bad weather you really need a GPS or good skills to make sure you don’t get lost.

Following on from this trip, Sarah did an interview on Radio NZ which you can listen to by clicking here.  Colin had a real epic getting home, which we won’t go into here, suffice to say that roads and cars are far more dangerous than snow and sleds….

We will be updating you with plans for our next expeditions soon.  For now, we are taking a break….

And so it begins….

An idea is a powerful thing.

I fell in love with the idea of running huskies in the snow when I watched the great Alaskan Iditarod race.  Kiwi adventurer Curt Perano was in the race and as I watched I was totally captivated.  The dogs are incredible adventurers, laughing in the face of snow, ice, and a 1000 km of running.

I tracked down the local “Ridge Runners Sled Dog Racing Club” and raced huskies in the crisp winter mornings.  Dryland mushing (using rigs with wheels or scooters) was a huge rush (both for me and for the dogs).  Then the opportunity to go to the snow came up – and I was in!  Colin Whitley was generous enough to offer me his dog “Stripe” and we both (dog and me) had a crash course in Skijoring (skiing behind the dog in short 5km race).  I was totally hooked.  I also got to meet a keen bunch of people who make up NZ’s “mushing” community.

Then a new idea dawned… taking the dogs away on expeditions here in New Zealand.  After all, we have Classic Tramps, Classic Mountain Bike Rides, etc but where are the Classic trips you can go on with a dog pulling you?  It was time to put a team together to find out.

Gradually the team came together – Erik, who has already skied the length of the southern alps; Kate, who is a star skijorer and hardy outdoor adventurer, and also Colin – who knows heaps about running large teams of dogs (for more about the team take a look at the “About” page).

And now we have the backing of Sport NZ through their Hillary Expedition Fund.

And so the fun begins!  We will be undertaking exploratory missions in the winters of 2015 and 2016.  Stay tuned here for updates as we get organised for the adventure of our lives.

– posted by Sarah Wilson