May 8, 2011

Notes From Joe: A Brief Summary of the 2011 Expedition

Hello from Two Rivers!  It’s been a heck of a season on the Arctic Expedition but it’s good to be home.  I’m looking forward to the birth of our new baby.  Only about 2 months to go!

The 2011 expedition got off to a great start at the end of January.  All of our 22 Alaskan malamute’s tails were waving good-bye to civilization.

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February weather sure did slow us down.  We had a total of 16 blizzard days with winds ranging from 40 to 70 mph, and windchills reaching colder than –90 degrees Fahrenheit.

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You can’t do too much traveling when blizzards roll in one after another.  You just have to wait them out.

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This was Red’s first expedition.  He had no idea what the hell hit him when the first hurricane-force wind blasted down the valley.

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It made him appreciate the calm days with no wind, like this one when you can see the distant arctic horizon.2011 248_2

Finally, when the weather cleared the dogs got a chance to get out there and do their thing.  This is a typical day of busting trail in a lot of fresh, deep, snow.  My team did an incredible job this season.  They broke trail all day long, day in and day out, in chest- to chin-deep snow. 

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Every evening they settled in for some well-deserved rest.

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We saw a lot of amazing sundogs in the early morning hours.

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And the scenery in the Brooks Range was phenomenal.

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We’re already looking forward to heading back next season!

 

  • Marilyn

    Thank you very much for the terrific pictures. I really felt part of that beautiful landscape and the dogs are fantastic. You must have such a good time with them.

  • http://arctic-stories.com Arctic Stories

    Wow, that looks stunning!

  • Carolyn Schlick

    Incredible photos Joe, did you see any musk ox?

    Carolyn

  • http://e410.wordpress.com Just Run With It

    Congrats and welcome back, Joe! Such great pictures :) Wow what a life you live!

  • Josh

    You are my Idol! I tell everyone about you, Congrats as well for the baby, Happy for you!

  • http://sleddogadventures.com Kathy Lenniger

    I love your photos, especially all of those smiling canine faces… and congrats on welcoming a little human one soon, it is love of the highest order.

  • http://sartenada.wordpress.com sartenada

    Terrific photos. The” scenery in the Brooks Range was phenomenal”, that I like very much. I was somehow similar then we have here beyond the Polar Circle during summer and now I mean sun.