Blustery Weather — Lessons Learned

BLUSTERY WEATHER — LESSONS LEARNED

  1. Dog house lids blowing off with big gusts of wind is a thing!!

  2. Secure all things that might blow away or you’ll be up in the wee hours chasing them down. Dogs are not fond of strange things randomly moving about.

  3. Either picking up dogs bowls &/or putting loose bowls in the side bowl will prevent you from a bowl treasure hunt during the next meal 

  4. If/when dog house lids are blowing off, it’s important to check the yard regularly.

    • Be sure no dogs are hurt

    • Be sure no dogs got their chain tangled up, like Queen Anne at 4 am, who tried to jump on the top of her house, but fell into her house because there wasn’t a lid… and then she went out the door.  The yard erupted because she was all kinds of confused.

    • Be sure wherever the lid landed isn’t in a circle where a dog decides to gnaw their stressors away on the uninvited lid.

5.  Be sure to keep an eye on propane levels before a storm.  The generator runs on propane & the power has been out for most of 3 days.  

6. Windy weather and wood stoves

November/December 2025

Lessons Learned --- Daily chatterings

  1. A&A haven’t forgotten how to get out of their pen if we leave in unlocked

  2. Make sure no dogs are in the dog room unknowingly at night

  3. Kristin doesn’t know what’s happening in the handler cabin unless someone tells her – thank you, Ashley!  :) 

  4. Doing Passive Range of Motion (PROM) finds minor injuries in dogs that may otherwise go undetected (Hux, Jesse, etc) 

  5. You never know what might happen when you are looking.  Kristin made the food bucket, put it on top of the food tote while she scooped the yard, so no dogs would help themselves to the food bucket.  When I returned to the bucket, there were messy splash marks ALL OVER the freezer top, box of meat, etc.  A BIRD fell into the bucket, splashed around & drowned in the bucket?!?!?! 

  6. I need to remind people to check this document daily for updates —> Ali here: you can set notifications to be sent when edits are made to the doc. That makes it easier for me to remember. Check Tools > Notification settings I

Lessons Learned Dec 2025

12/7/2025
Lessons Learned

Kristin & Ali

  1. Days don’t always go as planned… lesson re-learned 5,345,321x

  2. Don’t believe people that tell you there isn’t a pull start on your ATV… keep looking.

  3. We learned the value of a volt meter… a healthy battery should read ~13 v

  4. The tapping trick on the starter is magic!!! You should have seen our faces (after trying for ~5 hours to get the ATV to start)!! A big THANK YOU to Ali’s dad!!!!

  5. It can be grand entertainment getting pulled around the Bacon’s Acres’ block by a car while sitting on an ATV trying to “push start” it 

  6. Sometimes things don’t happen as easily as they look in youtube videos (referring to the “push start” process)

  7. Freezers work much better when they are plugged into power

  8. Check corrosion on the battery terminals, otherwise the battery might not be charging well

  9. The trickle charger can read “dead battery” for other reasons besides just a truly dead battery – clean the terminals, reconnect the clamps, unplug/replug the charger in.

  10. Don’t give dogs the opportunities to learn things you don’t want them to learn.

  11.  Sometimes even when you think things are out of reach from dogs, they can find a way… grabbing harnesses, breeding, reaching buckets, grabbing cleaning tools (shovels, rakes, etc)

  12. Use your resources – dads, friends, other machine for comparison and parts, youtube

  13. Pillage, when necessary

  14. Pancreatitis can be a thing with dogs … and it’s hard to diagnosis

  15. Sometimes the weather is better than expected 

  16. Lithium batteries are best for using outdoors in the cold

  17. Today was a reminder of why we make sure the ATV is running before we harness and hook up dogs

  18. Having your ATV in the garage doesn’t magically make it work 100% of the time

  19. We often learn the most on days when nothing goes as planned.

    …. our reminder of why we do LESSONS LEARNED… when your day evaporates because things didn’t go as planned, it helps us remember the valuable things we learned in the process (rather than sitting around grumbling about what we didn’t get done)

12/6/2025 Oliver & Bridget added

  1. Stay on the side of the road where cars can see you

  2. How to put things away in the wind

  3. How to properly take off a dog harness

My Time At Bacon's Acres by Harlyn Baker

My Time At Bacon’s Acres

written by Harlyn Baker

July 9, 2024

Four years ago if you’d asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up I would’ve said

a dog musher. I read all the books, watched all the movies and studied the Iditarod. I

thought it was the coolest thing. (Pun not intended) So one day we stoped by the

Iditarod Museum to check it out, we held some puppies and went on the cart ride and

we asked one of the ladies working there if she knew anyone in Big Lake who could

teach me how to be a dog musher. So she gave us a number. My mother text her and

we scheduled a day to meet. I can’t remember the exact date but I know it was a

summer day in 2020, we walked over to her kennel as it was only a few minutes away

from our house. When we got there a lady came out of her cabin and introduced

herself. She was Kristin Bacon, dog musher, three time Iditarod runner, and soon to be

one of my closest friends. We walked around the kennel, she introduced us to the

dogs, and we started talking; I asked her if she wouldn’t mind teaching me how to be a

dog musher. She said of course. So my family walked home and I started painting dog

houses. Since that summer in 2020 to now (2024) I’ve had a lot of experiences and

have learned a lot, how to hook up a dog team, how to take care of them on and off

the trail, how to the care of myself on the trail, and lots more.

One of my most rememberable adventures was in April of 2022. We had 12 dogs on

the line, I was in the basket and Kristin was driving. It was a clear Friday morning in

Alaska, and that was the day I was to learn to drive the dogsled. So I did the usual,

feeding, watering, and scooping poo, but since spring was on its way Ms Kristin

wanted to get me out on the sled before the snow melted, so she grabbed the tug line

and handed it to me and said, “ Put it on the sled.” So I grabbed it with confusion

because I had no idea how to put it on. So I grabbed the line, which took me a little bit

to straighten out and put on the sled, but eventually, I got it. It was a twelve dog

gangline, so I knew I was in for a treat. She picked the twelve dogs, told me how to put

the harnesses on, and showed me how to move the dogs. We put one dog on the line

at a time, wheel dogs which are the ones closest to the sled, team dogs which are the

dogs behind the swing dogs; they help swing the team when turning, and then the lead

dogs lead all the other dogs. When all the dogs were on the line, she wanted me to

stand on the brake so the dogs wouldn’t run off, but twelve dogs is a lot of power; you

could literally feel the power through the lines to the sled, so she had to help me and

said, “Stand on it! Pretend you weigh three hundred pounds!” When we were ready,

she took my place on the brake; I quickly got in the sled basket, and we were off! We

crossed a road with a bump, and we were on the trail. Our plan was to go ten miles

round trip and go on part of the Iditarod trail and halfway through; I was to drive the

dogsled for my first time. Whenever we turned, I was surprised at how quietly she

could give the commands. She didn’t have to shout over the sound of the runners or

the dog's paws hitting the ground. It was a little scary at first with the snow hooks

hanging by my head, but I had a lot of fun, more than an ATV. And then it was my turn.

She stopped the sled, and I got on the runners with her behind me. Ooh boy. I thought

as I gripped the handlebar tightly, legs shaking, trying not to show my fear and anxiety.

“You ready?” She asked. “Yeah,” I answered, but my mind said no, no, no. And then

she gave the command, “All right!” And suddenly I was driving a dogsled! All right, this

is pretty cool. I drove with the dogs running at about nine mph for a little while with Ms

Kristin taking pictures. And then there was The Turn, as I call it; it was a right turn,

nothing too big or anything, but the trail conditions weren’t that good, and it was my

first time, and I had a very small idea of what I was doing and as I said the command

“Gee!” We went into that turn, and the sled tipped, throwing me and Ms Kristin in the

snow while the dogs kept running, leaving us behind. It drove the wind out of me when

I hit the hard snow me and Ms Kristin quickly got up, and she started calling for the

dogs to stop, but they were going without a look back. Ms Kristin cursed, and we

started running to get the dogs. She told me that it was the first time she had lost her

team on this trail and that it’s important not to let go of the sled so you don't lose your

team because a lot of bad things can happen to you and your team, the team could get

hurt, a dog could die, the same thing could happen to you. We walked for a while;

thankfully, it was a sunny day with no snow or rain; Ms Kristin called her friend to help

get the dogs in case they went home. It was a while, but eventually, we started to hear

dogs barking. Then soon, we saw them around a corner, a tangled mess of lines and

dogs barking. I helped get the dogs straitened out and quickly hopped in the basket. It

was a smooth ride after that; we crossed the road again and stopped, unhooked all the

dogs, put them back in their houses, rolled up the gangline, and put the sled away.

Here is a list of some things I’ve learned at Bacon’s Acres, both personal and dog

mushing related.

1: When driving a sled you never let go, even when you think you're going to fall off.

Hold on!!

2: You never stop learning. (Sometimes whether you like it or not)

3: Don’t knock it till you try it. (How can you say you don’t like it if you haven’t tried it?)

4: To grow confidence you have to get out of your comfort zone. (And sometimes a

good friend to “push you” a little bit)

5: If you see something that needs done, do it, don’t wait for someone else to do it.

6: Make sure to keep an eye on the trail for obscurities, snowmachines, moose, other

teams, stumps. Etc

7: Always carry a knife on you.

8: Its better to have something and not need it then to need it and not have it.

9: Assembling and disassembling gangs lines.

I’ve learned and grown a lot since 2020, had some exiting adventures, and I know I will

never be truly “done” with dog mushing. It has been an awesome four years, and I will

keep those memories close and I will never forget my time at Bacon’s Acres.

Thank you Ms Kristin for an awesome and exiting last four years, for teaching and

helping me learn how to be a dog musher and always being patients even when I was

not getting it. Thank you for helping me become who I am today.

Lessons Learned

Junior Musher Lessons Learned — Aug 17, 2023

  • Harlyn reports he feels more confident to feed independently and cover dogs, if needed

  • Harlyn feels he is more confident with assessing safety in the dog yard

  • Anik (Haryln’s first pick of the Piggy Litter, TrollxRubyLou) tolerated wearing a harness well. Today was his first time in harness. Anik was born January 9, 2023.

  • First bikejour in harness — Harlyn said “Anik pulled a little, but he was going a new place / new direction than he’s used to.” Anik was not ultra confident

  • We reviewed how dogs pull harder and more excitedly when they know where they’re going. We imagined Anik would pull harder when running home today (pull with more confidence)

  • Harlyn learned you get a belt buckle for finishing Iditarod

  • We learned about assessing different water bowls — for Rosita, an injured puppy in a cone – which bowls are more stable / less easy to spill & easier access while wearing a cone

  • We learned how to use something that worked previously to make a new one – creating a pattern/model  (Rosita’s bandage cover). We made a new one out of scrap material.

  • Harlyn learned about spray that kills mosquitoes, ticks and fleas

    • It can be sprayed in dogs’ houses and on their bedding

    • It can be sprayed around their houses

    • It can be put on the dogs for mosquitoes in the summer

    • It’s non-toxic 

  • Harlyn learned about what a “hot spot” is, options for treating and how they might be caused after asking about a small area of scraped skin on Anik’s back leg.

  • We learned about how to use different materials for different purposes

    • Waterproof & breathable fabrics — for covering wounds, so it can heal quicker

    • We reviewed different materials for securing a dressing and a dressing cover. Which things are ideal because of their qualities — is it waterproof? water resistant? breathable? compressive? …etc

    • We reviewed that you need to check frequently when you try something new to be sure it works: stays in place and performs as expected

  • How to tell the difference between a female and male zucchini blossom

A Taste of Summer 2023

This has been a summer packed full of many good things…

  • A big thanks to Pauline, Sarah, Harlyn, Megan, Tyler… it takes a village….

    • We raised a litter of 6 pups who have proven to be the most brave little adventurers and swimmers we’ve ever raised. They are so much fun! Rosita, Pinky, Babe, Petunia, Pua and Toot. They were born January 9, 2023.

    • We improved and increased the number of free run options — these are great for giving dogs opportunities to be safely off chain in shady spaces during the day

    • We gave the dog houses a face lift — cleaned and repaired; upgraded pallet platforms; new nameplates, etc

    • Had grand fun in the pond with dogs and our little fleet of paddleboards, rowboat and pedal boat

    • Expanded our garden — more veggies, berries, etc

    • …. and more…

  • We had many visitors — old friends and new — XOXO

  • We started to improve our leisure areas by the pond

… & now, as “squirrel season” (prepping for fall/winter/spring) sets in, the search begins… we are looking for a committed, competent, full-time handler to help train our young team this season. This position is available starting Aug 26th. Approximately 16 dogs are currently home. 14 of the team are in Skagway, AK at “summer camp” until the end of September when Kristin and Tara fetch them.

Kristin has a mild itch to train for spring mid-distance races (specifically the Kobuk 440), so if you have any desire to race or learn how to support race preparations, this is a great season to practice camping, doing longer runs on sleds and ATV, etc.

If you are interested in joining the excitement of the season ahead, please reach out: 907-230-0402 or send an email: baconsacres@mtaonline.net

Jr Musher Lessons Learned

Lesson Learned:

  1. If something you are doing isn’t working, try something different. Today, we learned this lesson when trying to teach a puppy to line out while we were kick sledding.

  2. When training dogs, sometimes you need to be more firm. Kristin says, “use your ‘I mean it’ voice”.

  3. When training dogs, sometimes you need to be more animated and fun, especially with puppies

  4. Remember to praise the dogs when they are doing what you want them to do.

  5. It’s important to have a tie down system / quick release/ brake to safely secure your sled/kicksled/cart

  6. Planning your day is helpful

  7. When you need to keep a dog from licking/scratching a wound or surgical site, there are options. Today we discussed cones vs donuts

  8. It’s important to check conditions to determine if you need booties: snow texture, temperature, distance you plan to run, what dog(s) are running

  9. Check paws after running

  10. When you remove the tug lines when you finish your run, it tells the dogs they are “all done” / “off duty”. It also reduces their pulling power.

  11. It is good to continually look at the dogs’ environment and ask, “how can i make this safer?”

  12. It is good to have extra dog houses, posts and swivels available in the yard

  13. We learned about repurposing / recycling available objects

  14. We reviewed about dressing appropriately for the weather and the difference between wool and cotton.

  15. We discussed how Harlyn’s junior mushing experience could provide him with various job opportunities with dogs in the future: working in the summer on a glacier or ground tour, doing dog sled tours in the winter, being a handler for a musher, racing the B team for a musher, etc

Jr Musher Lessons Learned - Nov 16, 2022

One of things we all look forward to is time with our junior mushers. Currently, our junior musher is Harlyn. He lives a couple miles away and has been coming for about 1.5 years. This fall, he started coming weekly. This has improved his confidence and skill level quickly.

Recently, the temperatures dipped below zero. We reviewed lessons learned about COLD (<10F) temperatures & mushing / caring for dogs:

  1. It’s important to wear extra gear to stay warm

  2. Remember to bring an extra mask / Buff / neck gaiter, as it gets wet from breathing into it

  3. Bring handwarmers

  4. Bring extra gloves

  5. If you are running the dogs very far, put booties on the dogs

  6. Review the need for dog coats

  7. The dogs need extra calories and fat when it’s cold.

    —>we reviewed how to make fat balls with RedPaw fat

    —>we discussed other sources for adding fat in the dogs’ diet

  8. Hydration needs to be watched closely when it’s cold and many dogs need extra motivation to drink. We made a broth to feed midday to encourage drinking and a source of providing extra calories. We also fed more kibble at breakfast and supper.

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Possibly one of my best and worst ideas: Spring trip to Knik Glacier from Jim Creek

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Lessons Learned (& re-learned) by Kristin

  1. As successes pile up, it seems I continue to push my limits.

    • Where would be fun to explore with my dogs?

    • How far can I go?!

    • What else could I do that I haven’t tried yet?

    • What haven’t I done?

    • Where haven’t I been?

  2. Careful selection of team mates for an adventure is key. Attitude and skill rank high in the selection process.

  3. “The Just Right Challenge” — figure it out and do it. Adapt as needed for safety and success.

  4. Problem solving — one of my favorite mind candies of mushing

  5. Challenge brings exhilaration. It’s great to feel alive!

  6. I love watching the dogs navigate vast, trail-less terrain. They are incredible!

  7. My bond and respect for my dogs continues to grow with every adventure we share.

  8. Recon is critical when planning new adventures.

  9. I need to continue to work on my ability to ask the correct questions to get the answers I need.

  10. It’s amazing what can be accomplished when you work together as a team. Today, we were a team of 17, one of my favorite numbers: 3 humans, 14 dogs. 2 sleds and an ATV. Thank you Tricky Mini, Mr. Paws, ZsaZsa, Zumi, Zephyr, Lil Bear, Molly, Pixie, Troll, Fairy, Jesse, Yama, Crimson, Prox, Josh and Andy for sharing this challenging and unforgettable experience with me.

I’m happy to provide tips and precautions, if you decide to try this adventure yourself next year.

Volunteer Reflection from Summer 2019 (delayed posting)

Dogs in photos: Tricky Mini, Lil Bear, Crosby and Tricky

Annie spent some time volunteering at Bacon’s Acres last summer. Here is a reflection she wrote sharing some of what she learned and experienced — Thank you, Annie! :) We loved having you here… and look forward to seeing you this summer after your high school graduation.

“While spending the summer working at Bacon’s Acres I learned many things from managing a kennel to keeping dogs happy and healthy. In regards to keeping a dog healthy, I quickly found out that there is more than meets the eye. There is a very fine line between feeding a dog too much and too little especially when they aren’t training as hard. At first, I thought that I was feeding them too little but I eventually realized that if I did feed them any more they would gain too much weight and it would put more strain on their joints. Nail maintenance is also important because if the dog’s nails are too long they can get torn and cause an injury. There is also somewhat of an art to trimming nails. You have to know which dogs are a little more squirmy than others and adapt to how each dog will react and get it done without cutting the nail too short. Taking care of injuries big and small is also a big part of taking care of the dogs. Before I got there Mimi had surgery to remove her infected uterus and while the surgery went well she still needed extra care to make sure she healed properly. Another thing that happened while I was there was Yoshi-Nomi’s nail falling off. While this was not as extensive as Mimi’s surgery it still needed monitoring and care. We cleaned the site with a warm salt water soak and put ointment on it and covered the foot with a bootie to prevent the ointment from rubbing off and to keep the injury clean so it didn’t get infected. 

Another thing I learned is that the dogs love getting brushed. I would walk out with a brush and the whole yard would be filled with wagging tails and smiling faces. Some dogs are more enthusiastic about it than others but most of them appreciated getting the extra fur off of them in the sweltering heat. They also love running around and playing in the pen we built for them. Some of my favorite memories are from sitting and watching the dogs running around and playing in something I helped make for them.

The most important thing I learned is that trust is key in the relationship between musher and dog. You have to really trust that your lead dogs know what they’re doing when you are out on a run and they have to trust that you will keep them safe and guide them to where they need to go. When you are running a team you have so many lives attached to you so you have to trust yourself to make the right calls too.

Though I learned a lot I know there is much more for me to discover and I am excited to come back and experience more. I love working with all dogs, especially the athletes at Bacon’s Acres. I have fallen even more in love with the majesty that is mushing from taking care of dogs to kennel maintenance. The hard work, the dedication, the dogs, the people and, yes, even the gross fish has shown me a small part of what it is truly like but has made me even more excited to come back and learn more.”

Written by Annie Coniam

20 dogs, 4 humans and 3 teams on a daytrip filled with fun

Lessons learned from today’s adventure:

Annika:
1. Have a BUFF (neck gaiter) on to keep your face warm

2. Put your drag mat up if the snow is wet and heavy

3. Bring a rain jacket if it’s warm and wet (extra gloves too!)

4. It’s helpful to have a couple people to turn a team around safely

5. If dogs aren’t getting along, rearrange them (in the team or in the dog yard)

Megan:
1. Get your stuff (personal gear, water, etc) out of your sled if someone is going to borrow your sled

2. Good layers make a BIG difference. Wool layers stay warm when wet. Down (& cotton) does not.

3. Remember to eat your snack to keep your energy up

4. Team work makes dream work!

5. Switch out gear if it gets too wet or too cold

MONDAY’S LESSON ABOUT THIS TRIP:

—> If you pack food (for dogs or yourself) in your sled for a day trip, always remember to UNPACK it & put it somewhere will it will not rot and hungry, curious animals can't find it. (Tricky found the smoked salmon in our sleds this morning.  )

Moving forward...

This weekend was filled with new experiences (on top of all the unexpected surprises Covid-19 is tossing our way)

—> Megan and Annika planned a run, and then set up, hooked up and ran from the yard without Kristin

—> Kristin and 18 dogs took Jeana and Jeff to Spencer Glacier (more later!)

—> Puppies, Widget and Wrangell, did their first run in harness

Lessons Learned 03/15/2020

Megan (35 yo newbie musher)

  • Be aware of your surroundings for: snowmachines, people, loose dogs, etc

  • Drink more water while out on the trail — stay hydrated

  • Slow down (or stop) for poor poopers (dogs)

  • Double check (sled, gear, temperature, snow conditions, when is sunset, how far is run, etc)

  • Change out lead dogs, if you need to

  • Trust your dogs (they sometimes can see/feel trails when you can’t)

  • Look for familiar landmarks (groups of trees, mountains, arched trees, etc)

Annika (14 yo junior musher)

  • Make sure the snow machine sees you before continuing on with your dogs

  • Always have enough water for yourself to drink on the trail (… the dogs too!)

  • Check dog feet after (& during) the run

  • Always check the temperature (dog coats? dog booties? too warm? too cold?)

  • Always have fun

  • Trust your gut

  • Bring hand warmers and toe warmers (and know where they are in your self)

Preparing for a run by Annika and Megan

Do you have / need? Sled, quick release, snow hooks (1-2), gang line, neck lines, tug lines, back up tie off for sled, extra gang line section, extra neck lines and tug lines, 2 carabiners, water for humans and dogs, small white water buckets for dogs, snacks for humans, snacks for dogs, head lamp, GPS, extra clothes (gloves, hat, gaiter, hand warmers, toe warmers, etc), dog booties, dog coats?, emergency bag, bag to organize extra supplies in sled, sun glasses, goggles, cell phone (charged) , map?

Next lesson: Sled repair kit contents, Sled plastic, Emergency Bag contents



IKIDAROD 2020

Sooo many smiles & giggles! 🥰Ikidarod 2020 was a huge success!! In conjunction with High Country Kennels, we were able to give rides to about 130 children and young adults, as well as their parents/caregivers/teachers/therapists.

Thank you to everyone that contributed to the fun this year:
High Country Kennels Dog Sled Tours, Ikidarod.org, Kaladi Brothers Coffee, Pete's Treats, Illusions Food Company, Don Mantey, Spectrum Medical Billing Services, Christina Rose, Elvina Osterle, Robert Sexton, Arctic Circle Enterprises LLC, Julie Kelly, Lynn Palmquist, Annika Wolfe, The Lents, KTVA 11 News & Jeana Spindle.

Race Day for Rookies

Lessons Learned from 3 Rookies

ANNIKA: 4-dog, 4 mile & 2-dog, 2 mile

  1. Have fun in the race

  2. Don’t stress out about who has what dogs

  3. There is a first experience for everything

  4. Pick two dogs you know are good leaders

  5. Always come prepared

  6. Trust your lead dog

MEGAN: 4-dog, 4 mile

  1. I can follow simple directions and get back to the kennel alone (with my dog team)

  2. Lists help to remember things

  3. Don’t leave Knox (my dog) in my car before the race starts because he chewed up my car seat

  4. Trust your instincts

  5. Make a list of what you want in your sled

  6. Dogs are powerful. Very strong!

JEFF: 2-dog, 2-mile

  1. I need more than two geriatric dogs for a two mile race

KRISTIN: kiddy loop full of laughs

  1. Don’t underestimate the fun you can have in a short loop

  2. It is very fulfilling to watch others succeed, especially when you know you had a part in it

Mushing Lessons Learned by Annika (14 years old) and Megan (35 years old)

February 15, 2020

20 miles, 11 degrees. Annika - 4 dogs. Megan - 5 dogs.

Annika:

  1. Never let go of the handle bar. (Dogs got away on a turn. Kristin caught the team. All was fine)

  2. Always put the snow hook in the right way

  3. Always have everything you need to run with (we practiced problem-solving with what we DID have in our sled when she got cold and didn’t have what she thought she needed)

  4. Keep your team at least a team length behind the person in front of you

  5. Watch your team (watch what’s in front of you, not behind you)

Megan:

  1. You can put your hand warmers in your liner gloves (against your skin)

  2. Remember to check for ice balls in the dogs’ feet (especially if their gait changes)

  3. Stretch after a run (good for dogs & humans)

  4. Make sure you know where you are

  5. Bring a small bag of gear with you: GPS, headlamp, dog booties, dry gloves, extra warmers, extra lines of all kinds, dry BUFF (face/neck gaiter), extra hat, snacks, etc

Through the Eyes of a Junior Musher by Annika Wolfe

Hello! My name is Annika and I am a new musher. I don’t have very much experience with mushing and asked if Kristin would be my mentor and help me learn how to mush. When I first met Kristin Bacon I was really nervous but when I got there and met Kristin I knew it was going to be fine. I do love Kristin dearly.

I first went around the dog yard and met every single dog she has 25 dogs!!! Some of the dogs names are: Mr. Paws, Little Bear, Tricky Mini, Miyuki, Jesse, Fairy, Pixie, Troll, Felon, Libby, June, and Crimson of course. These are the names of some of her dogs.

That first day I learned how Kristin feeds and waters her dogs. I learned how to harness a dog. The tricky part is figuring out how to flip the harness if it is inside out in places. I learned that harnesses come in different sizes and each dog wears a certain size harness depending on their size. It is very hard to put a harness on a dog that is jumping and excited. We got to harness up 4 dogs and hook them up to a cart and go out on a run. The cart has three wheels and no engine but it has a brake. For the rest of training in the fall we used a four wheeler. Kristin taught me how to drive the ATV. There was one week where I hooked up a 16 dog team which is the size of an Iditarod team and we brought them out. One of my fall highlights was getting to personally take out six dogs on the ATV by myself.

December 8th

I went out to Kristin’s on December 8. We still don’t have enough snow in Anchorage (or Big Lake) to run dogs (on a sled). We measured the snow depth- we have 7 inches on the ground but if you step on it the snow packs down to 1.5 inches. This is not enough to keep the snow hook in the ground. I learned that your main brake for slowing and stopping a team is a claw break that you step on.

I learned that even though there’s not enough snow on the ground there still more chores to do with dogs. We put a bunch of frozen salmon into big pots and added water to the pot to cook salmon stew for the dogs to eat.

Kristin has 2 puppies that are just over 3 months old. We bring the puppies out on walks- but the puppies are not on leashes so that they can run and explore. It’s good for puppies to spend time with people so that they will want to be by people when they are older. As the puppies get older their training will change. Right now the puppies are learning their names and some basic commands as well as manners. The puppies are Widget and Wrangle and they are both so cute! I learned that when they get a little bit older the puppies will get to try on and wear a collar.

January 26, 2020

Lessons Learned by Annika (14 years old)

  1. Don’t let go of the sled

  2. Make sure you know how to can hold on to sled and do things (untangle dogs, put booties on and do snaps) with the gloves you choose

  3. Make sure you know how to use a snow hook

  4. Always have hand and toe warmers

  5. Always have fun

Lessons Learned by Megan (Annika’s learning-to-mush buddy, not 14 years old ;) )

  1. Put the drag mat down before leaving the yard

  2. Don’t let go of the sled

  3. If dogs aren’t listening, slow down or stop until they listen

  4. Take extra gear with you

  5. Know your dogs