It’s snowing again

Tuesday 4^th November 

Fingers crossed this is the start…..

500 words for “Snow”

Monday 3^rd November

They say that the Sami people – the indigenous people of northern Scandinavia have 500 words that describe snow. I now understand that this is very important. In the past 2 weeks I have learnt a few variations of the word snow – I have found myself asking what type of snow has fallen?! What snow is falling now?

After the small snow fall 2 weeks ago the weather has been deteriorating.

Considering my home country,  I believe that one would assume that the weather would of got colder. But oh no, the deterioration that I am talking about is the weather actually getting warmer.

Lights and Ice

Northern Lights

Saturday 25^th October

But not all is negative – we have been blessed with some fantastic displays of the northern lights…. I wonder if I will ever get bored of this natural phenomenon that draws people in there thousands from all over the world. I don’t think I will. It changes so quickly – from a faint almost non existent glow to a dramatic display that stretches all across the sky. I spent an hour head tilted backwards with a guest whom I met at 3am in the morning whilst on my “restocking the fire” shift. It was a magical experience.

 

Ice

Wednesday 29^th October

So we may not have the snow – but as mentioned we have ice. The ice on the ground is hazardous – but the ice forming like stalactites from the water cascading down steep rock formations are spectacular. Creating “Aero Bar” shaped bubbles at the base – it’s a photographers dream

Alternative Plans

Site shifting

Tuesday 21^st October  

Setting out on a new training track we where optimistic that our track issues where behind us. But after two runs we where back to square one. During the wet autumn the track has been used by quad bikes tearing up the once relative flat base, now frozen in hard chocolate ridges. So it was no longer a slippery ice issue it was a track that was badly corrugated to the extent that we could not get a consistent running speed in order to train 

 

Plan C

Friday 23^rd October  

The third option was to return to the Autumn training camp – where we knew that the track would be in better condition. Thankfully, we where right. The down side to this is despite the autumn training camp being just over the mountain – it was an hours drive. An hour there, 1.5 hours to train and then an hour return journey is making the extra long and tiring. On top of that is the loading and unloading of the dogs needs to be taken into account.

Bambi Legs

Monday 20^th October

The last few days have been very trying. The minimal snow fall at first was a promising sign of good things to come. But alas the tracks are now playing field for cart drifting and fishtailing. With the temperature increasing the lying snow has melted somewhat to refreeze in the early hours of the morning– creating a thin layer of pure ice. There is very little traction and although the drifting is good practice and honestly a little bit fun. It’s only a matter of time before a dog is injured. With a cute title of  “Bambi Legs”. Dogs  legs are slipping on the ice patches, swinging wildly to the side. It was blatantly obvious that we could no longer train on this track.

Marshmallow anyone ?

Tuesday 15^th October 0.4 degrees 

Everything has been coated with a wonderful sprinkling of icing sugar loveliness. Yesterday the woods which have now been striped of their autumn leaves, stood bleak, naked against a black steel horizon. But today well it’s all brand new

The path is slightly padded with the snow. It is also somewhat slippery in places. With cart wheels locking and skidding, the small downhill become a process of lock and release. Lock and release. Not that dissimilar to try to do skids on a BMX.  

The hay bales standing in the field, which have been sealed in a white plastic look like giant marshmallows, with the overnight snow softening the edges.

Commitment Day – 102 Sleeps

Monday 14^th October     minus 8.4 degrees ! 

I have registered for my first competition. 60km therefore 4 – 5 hours of sledding – weather depending of course. It’s a big event which goes over Australia Day Weekend. Perhaps it’s a bit early in my learning curve – but I at least have something to aim for. Just for the recorded – I am not interested in breaking any records. For me – it’s about working with the dogs and enjoying the experience. First and foremost the dogs health and well being is paramount. If I can finish with fit and healthy dogs – then we are all winners. Only 102 more sleeps.

Training cancelled today.

It has been quite cold during the last few nights which has frozen the ground. On one hand this is good but on the other this is bad, Good because the frozen ground provides a seal. So when the snow comes – it gathers on the top and therefore starts the first layer instead of seeping into the ground, making it wet and mushy. The bad side. The dogs paws, tendons and muscles can be injured when the ground is so hard.

 Come 7pm the snow starts to fall.