The sun is shining longer for every day that passes, suddenly
the winter is over and the summer is getting close. I have spent a
wonderful year here in Alaska, training and racing some of the best
sled dogs, and meeting some wonderful people. I will truly miss
this place, and hope to be back. When I flew over here from Norway
last summer, my flight went over Greenland, and the Northwest
passage. Coming over the big island, I was almost hanging out of
the window. "I have to get to Greenland". In 3 weeks time I will be
leaving this great state, headed for Greenland.
Ilulissat
First half of April I will be flying out, via Iceland to this
small town on the west coast of Greenland, in Disco Bay. Also known
as Jakobshavn, the town lays in the newly founded Qaasuitsup
municipality, 200 km north of the Arctic circle. Thanks to some wonderful people there,
I have been so fortunate to borrow a old cabin, and a couple of
tough Greenland Dogs. The
cabin I will be staying in, lays a short ways out of town, "Around
2 hours on the sea ice with dog team, depending on the conditions".
It is a simple cabin, and needs some repairs before the fall and
winter sets in. The summer will therefore be spent doing some
repairs, and preparing for the winter. The cabin will be my
"base camp" for the next year, a starting point for short
and long trips with the dogs.
This will be a totally different year, from the last two.
Training dogs for long distance races, fall training on four
wheelers. This will be much more recreational, going on long
camping trips with the dogs, visiting several villages along the
coast, and maybe even some hot springs. I am super excited to meet
the people, dogs, experience the culture, see the wildlife and
breathtaking scenery of Greenland.
Follow along
I will not have much communication from my cabin. I will have
my Spot Connect satellite communicator, which I can send out short
messages to my Facebook page. Otherwise, I will update this blog
with videos and pictures when Im in Ilulissat.
One Last Race
Before it all is over in Alaska, I am planing one last race.
The Sheep Mountain 300, is a (surprise) 300 mile race, up in Sheep
Mountain. The SM 150 was cancelled this december, and race manager
Zack Steer has rescheduled and put on a 200 and 300 mile qualifier,
for all those who needs qualifiers for Iditarod next year. Alex,
who also works here on Apex Kennels, needs a qualifier, and when
were sending one team in the race, might as well send two. I will
be running Jake´s A-string of dogs, who will be going with him in
the Kobuk 440 race, which starts in Kotzebue April 11th.