Record Donations!

Plane dropping pink streamers on the mushers

Erik bringing his runaway back before the run began

Liz and team

Karen and team

Don and team

Saturday the 14th of March was the Mush for a Cure 2009. There were 32 teams in attendance, up almost 20 teams from last year! The donations were also up from around $14,000 in 2008 to over $23,000! Points Unknown mushers, Liz Parrish, Karen DeBoise and Don Deckert raised close to $2,000 for this cause and despite the 52 degree temps, had great fun during the run, resting their dogs in the shade when necessary.

Jon and I were giving tours during the event but were able to break away during the lunch hour to catch the beginning of the fun run. All of the teams were parked out on the Gunflint Lake in front of the Gunflint Pines Resort and Campground. A small plane flew above, dropping pink streamers on the ice while the teams prepared to take off. Right before the gun shot, a single dog ran down the trail. Several of us tried to catch him but were unsuccessful. The owner hopped on a snowmobile and finally rounded him up so that his entire team would be ready for the start. The teams had to begin in a sleeping bag with their boots off. Once they heard the gun shot, they had to get out of the sleeping bag, put on their boots and hook up their dogs then they were off.

After 22 miles, the teams arrived at Trail Center, a mid trail restaurant and event center. There were prizes awarded to the mushers for the most money raised, the most outrageous pink costume and various others. It was a very successful event and was a lot of fun for mushers, dogs and spectators alike.

We are very proud of all of our mushers for their participation in this event. Liz was in the top five for most money raised. Karen not only won the red lantern award(award for coming in last) but she also won an award for the most outrageous costume. Don's costume was pretty creative as well. He also stopped along the trail to help remove another musher from a snow bank.

Curious Wolf

The curious wolf

Wolf kill site on the trail

I finally got some; photos of the wolf I have been seeing on the dog sledding trail while grooming with the snowmobile! I had seen him before but never this close and for this long. He was suffering from mange. His tail was bare but for a tuft of hair at the tip, however the rest of his coat appeared to be healthy.

In a previous post I mentioned seeing a wolf kill on the trail while out with clients. As I rounded the bend in this same location this morning, with the groomer, I saw remains of the deer and a flash as the wolf tried to run from it and the snowmobile. The snow was deep on the trail from the recent snowfall so he wasn't getting very far very fast. I was within less than 15 feet of him on the snowmobile as he turned back as if to start back at me but in a flash he darted into the woods. I thought my adventure was over......

I continued to groom the trail as the adrenaline in my body lowered. I reflected on the mix of emotions I felt in those few moments during my encounter. I love and respect wolves. They are a natural enemy to dogs. I have scared his kin out of the dog yard so his presence within a couple miles of the dog yard, at that moment, angered me. There has never been a reported incident of a healthy wild wolf attacking a human in the United States. The key word is "healthy". This wolf was not healthy. This thought brought the fear for this wolf to the surface and as his eyes met mine before he darted into the woods, I felt the hair on the back of neck stand up. Once he was out of sight, extreme joy came over me for having seen him, then sadness that he may not live another season due to his condition.

As I was within 100 feet of the main trail after grooming a little used side trail, I saw movement ahead of me. It was him! This curious fella had followed me in the freshly packed trail I had just made for him. That instant I took out my camera, thinking that at any second, I would lose the opportunity as he disappeared into the forest. Instead he stopped and looked at me, then looked back, then sideways, then back at me. He began to head across the trail then he stopped dead center and stared at me again. He began to walk towards me. That was close enough for me so I shouted at him and waved my hands. He slowly continued across the trail. It was then that I put my camera away and quickly drove the snowmobile up to where he had been standing and beyond to continue my trail grooming. I think I was numb at this point and it didn't quite dawn on me that I had just had another encounter with him until I sat down to look at the photos I had taken. Then I revisited those mix of emotions. Overall, having had the interaction with this curious wolf today makes me respect the wild place I call home during the winter months as well as the wild place within myself.

More Adventure than Planned!

2007 Tuloon/Bazil puppy, Zodiak has an almost flawless build.

Ilu looks a little plump in this photo, however is fit as a fiddle. You can see from the snow pile up on his coat just how thick and insulating it is.

McKenzie and his pensive stare

Icoa was not fond of having her photo taken today.

Journey is caught off guard by the camera.

Zala poses.

Phoenix and Ilu sit atop their houses

Tuloon is also fond of standing on her house.

Klaus, Oken and Ilu wait patiently for their dinner.

Our guests got more adventure than expected today on the trail. A family of four had planned to do a Gunflint Lake Experience tomorrow. With the forecast of a winter storm, we decided that a change of plans was in order and we took them out on the Highland Trail this morning before the storm arrived. After climbing to one of the highest elevations in the area, we then dropped down into a swamp and up again to highlands. About 1/4 mile off the swamp the dogs ears all perked up and their speed increased dramatically. Down the trail and around the corner was a relatively fresh wolf kill that was strewn along the trail in about a 100 foot section. There were fresh tracks leading from this site into the woods. We imagine that the wolves had left the site when hearing the teams coming along on the trail. The dogs all did a spectacular "on-by", not stopping to inspect or to snatch a piece for themselves. Good Dogs!

To top off the adventures during this run, we, or I should say the dogs, spotted a grouse in the woods and picked up speed down the trail with heads turned trying to catch a glimpse as we sped by. You would think all of this was enough for one run but the deer standing in the middle of the trail around a corner got the dogs going yet a third time.

Our family enjoyed their adventure and felt lucky they got to witness all of the wildlife and signs of wildlife on the trail.

Within an hour of their adventure the winds picked up and then within two hours, the snow began to fall heavily. The snow began quickly collecting on the dogs as they waited for their evening meal. As I type, I can barely see the dog yard through my snow covered window. From what I can see, there appear to be no dogs outside as they are all tucked snugly away in their straw filled dog houses, waiting out the storm.

Weather Extremes

Jon and his Malamute Team

Don and his Siberian Husky Team

We've had some interesting weather this week at the 46 mile point of the Gunflint Trail. I think today was a record for the winter; 45 degrees F. It has been rather balmy the past few days actually. We've had some bright sunny days and today it was overcast. The extreme change in the weather begins tomorrow afternoon when the expected 12 -18 inches of snow begins to fall and it dips down to 5 degrees for a high on Wednesday with -19 expected that night. It's still winter!

While out with guests on the trail during these warm temps we explain why it's important to go much slower than usual and stop often to let the dogs rest even though it appears as though they aren't interested in a rest. It's just too hot for them and they'll overheat quickly. Thankfully, the Highland Trail is mainly deep in the woods where shade is abundant.

Mush for a Cure 2009

Mush for a Cure 2008

Don Deckert and team running in the Mush for a Cure 2008

Points Unknown has two mushers that will be "competing" in the 2009 Mush for a Cure (with a third hoping to compete) that begins on Gunflint Lake next Saturday, March 14th.

The musher with the most pledges wins and so does the organization! In an effort to raise money for an excellent cause we are letting all of you know that we are accepting donations to support our mushers who have chosen to run in the Mush for a Cure 2009. If you would like to donate, please send your checks made payable to MUSH FOR A CURE, in care of Points Unknown, 143 South Gunflint Lake, Grand Marais, MN 55604

Best of luck to Don Deckert, Karen DeBoise and possibly Liz Parrish as they raise money to run in the Mush for a Cure next Saturday!

Warm Temps on the Highland Trail

Jon Williams and a guest with his team of eight Malamutes

Don Deckert and a guest with his team of eight Siberian Huskies

Malamute portion of the dog yard

Jon shows our guests from New Jersey how to harness the dogs

The dogs are the best ambassadors!

Jon's dogs lay down obediently when he needs to cut toenails or bootie the longer coated dogs

Jon brings his dogs to the line

This morning temps were already up to nearly 40 degrees F. Not the optimal temperature for working dogs. Our guest mushers, Jon Williams with his team of Malamutes and Don Deckert with his team of Siberian Huskies, took our guests out on the Highland Trail this morning. Due to the high temps, our mushers kept the dogs slower than usual and took many breaks along the way. The dogs didn't seem to think this was necessary, however and would scream to go during each break.

With tongues hanging and tails wagging, the teams made it back to the dog yard with happy guests in their sleds.

Dog Sledding on Gunflint Trail

Last month, two Media majors from the University of Minnesota spent some time with us on the trail. They wanted to create a video to add to their resumes. Instead, they pitched it to the Minneapolis Star Tribune newspaper and it appeared on their website. What a great job they did! This is the video by Gabe Erickson and Matt Guth.