November Pooper Scoop

Alpine Vet
8-mile Twister
Out on the trail, things always look a little different than at the musher's meeting. Here's why.
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In case the squiggle on the whiteboard looks daunting, the CHT committee festooned the forest with flagging. If the mass of orange streamers are on your left, go that way. On the right - gee.





Jon's odd drawing of a moose (top, centre) marks nighttime sightings. Mushers are reminded to be alert for wildlife on the trail. This curious coyote watched five teams pass.














With nine volunteers for the season opener, the 18 teams that started in near perfect conditions had little trouble finding their way to the Whitehorse War Eagle Pit landfill. And, with the raven flock alarm at the dump, everyone had their ears up and eyes open at the live electric fence. In the final loop, Janet Keller was one of many to call out, "way more fun than last year!"


Judging from race results, the new course with its tight corners and hills, should level out the imbalance between skis and sleds. Above, Jonathan Lucas demonstrates the Greenland Fan formation.





Although there aren't many opportunities for head-on passing on this route, a few teams found a chance.

Skijorer Darryl Sheepway found the 8 mile trail more challenging than last year's 12. Watch him in the clip below, as he paces Kyla Johnson:

5-k Pet Class
Pippa Lawson and Tiramisu were true sports of the trail when they went out after winning the 5 k to give Leanne Kormos' dog, Pongo, a reason to pull her GT. Watch Pongo "lay chase" here:






5-k Kids Class
Grateful as mushers and teams are to be off the truck track terror, kids and pets ran the standard 5 k course. Although Louve Tweddell won the first meet of the season, her sister Lori earned the Iron Musher when her team tangled with Louve's, then ripped the sled out of her grasp. Undaunted Lori ran down the trail to where a volunteer had snagged the runaways and held them down.






The Chocolate Claim Race Day is set for Sunday, December 6 at 10 a.m. To volunteer for a reward of human-grade arctic char, and also qualify for league standing, meet at Icy Waters Ltd., Km 4 Fish Lake Road. Win cool prizes from our traditional sponsors Yukon Brewing, Midnight Sun Alpacas, First Mate Dog Food, Yukon Agriculture Association, and Aurora Booties, as well as goodies supplied by our new sponsors Drury Elk Farm, Yukon Honda, and Yukon Grain Farm.

posted by
yukonwriter@lycos.com