Seward Alaska Helicopter Tours on Godwin Glacier. Dog Sleds

2012 Don Bowers 200

Joe Holod — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 02:28:50 +0000

This past weekend I competed in the 200 mile class of the Don Bowers Memorial Sled Dog Race, held annually in Willow. The class fielded nine eager, excited teams at the start line. Temperatures ranged from about -10F to -45F, but the dogs and I managed the cold better than anticipated. Going into anything colder than -20 is not something most anticipate with much enthusiasm, but my gear held up and the dogs were more than lively.

The two-hunderd mile race consisted of 100 miles of trail that was covered twice, with a mandatory 6-hour layover at the halfway point. The first 20 miles of the race traveled over flat, heavily used trail and was fast; it was an effort to keep the dogs down to a controllable speed. From mile 20-55 the trail is not well traveled and was slower than the first part (but it wasn’t “slow” trail by any means) and was very hilly, windy, and generally fun for the dogs. There were a few hills in the mix here, most notably a ravine that was very steep and felt like about a thousand feet tall (probably 120 feet from bottom to top), and the dogs continued to pull hard and strong. At mile 55 we crossed over the two-mile wicked fast Shulin Lake and then onto a winter haul road used to transport supplies to and from a lodge located on the lake. These fast conditions continued to Hal Morgan’s cabin, an in-and-out checkpoint at mile 80 on the trail. From there the trail was over mostly flat swamp to the halfway point, Jim Kershner’s cabin. The return trail was opposite, as we followed the same trail to the finish line at EagleQuest lodge. The slower areas of the trail had improved for the return trip, but the temperatures dipped.

I hadn’t had enough miles on my team to race this trail, my goal was to finish with a healthy, strong team and to use this race as a qualifier. As such, we stopped on the trail once each way in addition to the mandatory layover. Leaving at 12:34 from the starting line we traveled for 7 1/2 hours, covering almost 60 miles, and took a 4 hour break. We then traveled the remaining trail in about 5 1/2 hours to the halfway point, arriving just before 6 am. We rested there for almost 7 hours and hit the trail again, traveling about 7 hours, resting 2, and traveling the remaining 7 hours to our -33F finish line.

Each dog performed well, namely Little Rock, who performed better than some of the adults on the team. Bruschi and Mr. Deeds lead the whole race and are my go-to boys, disciplined enough that we don’t ever need a leader hook at checkpoints or trail breaks. It was a good experience for each dog, which was what I was hoping for.

The dogs in the 12-dog team were:
Bruschi Mr. Deeds
Screamer Modoc
Hudson Firby
Junior Little Rock
Dumbo Gilmore
Hart Boucher

For the raw numbers, as well as more information on the Don Bowers race, please visit

Serum Run 2011

Joe Holod — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 08:34:27 +0000

After eight-hundred miles and twenty-three days on the trail, 2011 Norman Vaughn Serum Run ’25 finally made it. Pulling into Nome was like a dream come true. We ran through so many trails and into so many villages, it’s impossible to single out any favorites. It was the first trip to Nome the dogs and I, and I don’t think any of us will ever forget it. We had an awesome group of people we traveled with which made the trip even more unforgettable. I want to thank everyone who made this trip such a success, from the other Serum Runners and the board members, to the folks that helped us organize our supplies in the villages. I would especially like to thank the local villages who were so warm in inviting us into their communities. Without that, the trip would not have been possible.

I think that in honor of the dogs in my team and the people along the trail, I’ll be making a news entry every few days over the coming weeks. Be sure to check in often! Happy trails and see you all this summer!

Serum Run Trail Weather

Joe Holod — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 07:01:35 +0000

To see our current location on the trail please visit the Tracking website, by clicking here.

These are current temperatures on the trail, not what the temperature was when we were there.

Depart on Sunday February 20th, 2011.

Arrive on Thursday February 24th, 2011.

Arrive on Sunday February 27th, 2011.

Arrive on Monday February 28th, 2011.

Arrive on Thursday March 3rd, 2011.

Arrive on Saturday March 5th, 2011.

Arrive on Sunday March 6th, 2011.

Arrive on Monday March 7th, 2011.

Pass through on Wednesday March 9th, 2011.

Arrive on Friday March 11th, 2011.

2011 Serum Run Tracking

Joe Holod — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 09:28:42 +0000

Terrance Shanigan at Sheep Creek Lodge

Joe Holod — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 08:13:05 +0000

You are invited to help us support Terrance Shanigan with his participation in the 2011 Serum Run on Friday, February 4, 2011 in the dining room at Sheep Creek Lodge from 6-9pm.

Sheep Creek Lodge will donate 50% of proceeds from participating food sales to PAWS (People Are Worth Saving) which is a spin off of Troopers on the Trail and uses dogs from Law Dogs Kennel. Departing February 19, 2011, Terrence will be traveling throughout rural Alaska on dogsled to share PAWS with rural Alaska when he embarks on the Norman Vaughn Serum Run, a 19-day journey that makes stops in fourteen communities along the original Iditarod route, from Nenana to Nome.

The 2011 mission will bring a message of Suicide Prevention in collaboration with the “PAWS” program. The Serum Run enables us to directly impact thousands of Alaskans. The PAWS team is committed to these programs because they matter and know they will make a significant difference in the lives of Alaskans.

Terrance says, “Most of our efforts fall under the PAWS project as it offers the best opportunity for off-duty & retired law enforcement as well as military personnel to make a positive impact across Alaska in a unique way by proactively, versus reactively, serving the public.

Come learn more about PAWS and the Serum Run! For an additional donation, Ride on a Dog Sled!

In order to build the final pieces of infrastructure required for the long-term success of this program, PAWS is in need of financial support in any amount. The immediate need is cold weather gear for the dogs.

Please join us to support this worthy cause! Hope to see you at the Lodge!

www.SheepCreekLodge.com

Serum Run ’25 Shakedown Run

Joe Holod — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 04:33:29 +0000

The team and I are preparing for the Shakedown Run this weekend, a precursor to running the 800-mile Serum Run next month. This weekend we’ll be staying in the Willow Community Center in Willow, Alaska on Friday night. Saturday morning, we hit the trail and run the dogs about 45 miles out to Yentna Station, a small lodge on the Yentna River that’s completely off the road system. On Sunday we’ll run run over and camp out in a swamp in the middle of nowhere, and Monday morning we’ll run back to the community center. I ran the team today and made the final selections for who I’ll be taking along; we’re limited to 12 dogs in our team. We finally have some snow on the ground so we can run again! Check back soon for some picture of the trip.

For more information about the Norman Vaughn Serum Run, please visit http://www.SerumRun.org.

Merry Christmas to Sportsman’s Warehouse!

Joe Holod — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 03:31:10 +0000

This Saturday and Sunday, Joe and Molly spent some time at Sportsman’s Warehouse in Wasilla. Scott, Nasta, Flash and Boom went along to accompany them along with some sleds and gear for a weekend of demonstration. We gave away two free dog sled rides and met tons of people. Visit us next time, and you could win too! Check back on our website and be the first to know about our next event.

Winter Dog Sled Tours

Joe Holod — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 08:24:23 +0000

Winter Tours are available too! We offer helicopter tours in the Wasilla area. For dog sled rides, we offer anything from 2 hour to multi-day trips. Call us with your questions!

Ice Hiking

Kym Van Arsdale — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 18:37:33 +0000

After we drop you off by helicopter, you’ll strap into your crampons and helmet, and travel with an experienced guide across an amazing icefield to see moulins, crevasses, and moraines first hand. This is a 2 hour experience that includes 15 minutes of flying. Please call for more information.

Turning Heads Kennel — Summer Dog Sled Ride & Kennel Tour

sarah — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 18:00:39 +0000

Visit the kennel of 2013 Iditarod veteran and up and coming mushing super star, Travis Beals. Your tour begins with a multi-media hands-on presentation about dog mushing. Stand on a dog sled, hear our stories from the race trail, and learn why our sled dogs were destined to run. We’ll then hook up fourteen excited huskies to our custom built cart. You won’t believe their enthusiasm, as we get ready to go. Once out on the trail, you’ll be on the edge of your seat, waiting to see what’s around the next bend, as our dog team navigates our winding trails. Watch as our dogs effortlessly respond to over 15 commands from either Travis or Sarah, giving you a one-of-a-kind lead dog demonstration and introduction to dog mushing. We’ll even stop on the trail at an active Eagle’s nest for you to view and enjoy. Our tours are intentionally kept small to create an intimate one-on-one experience where all your questions can be answered. Raining? No problem! We know the weather in Seward and have designed a tour to keep you warm and dry so that you can focus on having fun. Learn more.