Follow our quest for a more simple lifestyle living off grid in the remote north woods of Minnesota's Arrowhead Region, working with traditional sled dogs.
A family out on the trail with the Points Unknown sled dogs.
The 2011 Points Unknown Family Winter Adventure that will be taking place at Boyd's Mason Lake Resort near Hayward, Wisconsin has been posted on our website!
Zulu, one of the foundation males of our kennel passed away in January of 2010 at the age of 13 1/2 years old. This was his last trip to the BWCA. He shows his contentment and happiness by rolling in the snow, while all the time keeping his line tight. Phoenix is in point with Klaus. This was Phoenix's first trip of this kind.
Photo by Mark Schwartz We discuss our route
Zulu leads us down the lake
Our base camp at US Point with Canada on the other shore.
The dogs are staked out on the ice with ice screws and enjoy their lounging time after a long run.
Vast views
Everyone's interest is peaked as a human walks back from the hole made in the ice for dog water.
Beautiful skies!
From nowhere comes a snow storm dumping heavy wet snow on us all.
Portage
Everyone relaxes at base camp. When sleeping and curled up in a ball with their noses under their tail, they are trying to conserve heat so they can remain warm. Notice that most dogs are stretched out which means that the temperatures are quite warm for them. Zulu is up and on call as he usually was.
Sweet Pea stretches from a good night's rest as Klaus gazes stoically into the distance.
When it's 90+ degrees outside and a warm breeze is blowing in my face, I can't help but take myself back to some special winter adventures we've done with the dogs to remind me that winter is just around the corner. Soon the warm breeze will be replaced with healthy crisp air that makes me feel more alive.
It's been several years since we've been able to take a trip by dog team into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northern Minnesota due to our busy winter touring schedule but this year we have made certain that two trips are on the quickly filling calendar. One trip is scheduled for our advanced group of participants that have gone through our rigorous training regime over the years and are now ready to go beyond trail running. We'll be taking this group on a winter camping trip by dog team where they will learn detailed points of this activity as they will need to be self sufficient. A mandatory navigation workshop will take place prior to the event and they will be tested on their abilities. We will be traveling as a group, however in the event that we become separated, they will need to know how to navigate their way back.
Our guests will receive a list of maps they will need, an extensive list of gear and a guide on how to prepare ahead of time, the food they will for the journey.
Our first trip into the BWCA will be solely for us to enjoy time alone in the wilderness with our dogs which has been something we haven't had the time to do the past several years. This will be Neil's first time winter camping on a frozen lake in the middle of the wilderness. Considering Neil spent 22 years in the British Army and participated in all kinds of adventures, chosen or not, from northern Ireland to Germany to Iraq, I'm quite certain he will be a natural. And because we will be in the company of the dogs that he loves and spends hour upon hour caring for, I'm sure it will be a very rewarding trip for him.
Think good ice and just enough snow! (Too much snow in the BWCA can mean slush and difficult times breaking trail for the dogs)
It has come to my attention that a previous post, intended to provide insight into the world of inbreeding wolf into dog for the purpose of producing house "pets", may have unintentionally offended some well meaning and responsible individuals that are working hard to recreate traditional lines of sled dogs by the practice of inbreeding wolf into various traditional Alaskan Husky lines. Although Points Unknown does not participate in this practice, we do not wish to judge those responsible people who do.
Klaus has become a cuddler in the past several years. It is interesting to note that the shirt I am wearing was purchased by McKenzie when he decided to pee on it while it was hanging on the rack during a "meet a sled dog" evening at Gunflint Lodge a couple years ago.
White Feather is horrified that I want her to cuddle. She is absolutely NOT a cuddler just like her mom, Tuloon.
She knows not to jump up but just couldn't seem to control herself when this carbonated beverage was involved.
Even stoic McKenzie wanted to try it
These sled dogs aren't spoiled or anything
Who would have thought that a can of Vernor's Ginger Ale would be so coveted by a bunch of sled dogs? It began when Wimzi licked the top of Neil's open can and ended with her climbing on his lap for more while everyone else stood around waiting for their turn.
Miss Zala has had us pampering her for the past month and a half, acting as though she is pregnant but showing no physical signs. We did what I vowed I would never do again after her mother, Tuloon, convinced us during her first litter that she should be able to order off the menu. When Zala turned her nose up at the kibble about a month ago, we began to add interesting tidbits to entice her. Then she rejected kibble altogether and we began to cook up chicken with basil and olive oil, hard boiled eggs and raw bacon. Then poo pooed this selection, Neil and I began hand feeding her. All in the name of a healthy mom and pups.
She seemed to have put on a bit of weight and we thought we could see some signs of a slightly bulging tummy. Frequent visitors were also caught up in the hype, thinking she looked a little "different" than their last visit. At this stage she should have begun to lose the hair on her belly and she should have begun producing milk. No signs. We kept hope. On Wednesday and day 55 of her "pregnancy" we took her in for x-rays to take a puppy count.
No puppies. That little stinker had us waiting on her hand and foot. Musher error again. What dog wouldn't? Needless to say, we are sad that there are no puppies. At the same time, things happen for a reason. Interesting that I had planned to fix Zala this spring only due to her smaller size, but when we discovered the current low numbers of Hedlund Huskies, we decided it would be in the best interest of the line to breed her. Prior to the decision to breed, we had also specifically decided to not have a litter this year due to the extra work load I have undertaken with the Minnesota Honey Producers Association's State Fair manager contract. It wasn't meant to be.
As for Zala, after discovering she was not pregnant I discussed with her the reasons why she would not longer be receiving room service and placed her in her kennel with a large bowl of kibble which she promptly ate.
We have no more plans to breed this year but do hope for a litter with Topa when she is old enough.
A family out on the trail with the Points Unknown sled dogs.
Zulu, one of the foundation males of our kennel passed away in January of 2010 at the age of 13 1/2 years old. This was his last trip to the BWCA. He shows his contentment and happiness by rolling in the snow, while all the time keeping his line tight. Phoenix is in point with Klaus. This was Phoenix's first trip of this kind.
Photo by Mark Schwartz
Zulu leads us down the lake
Our base camp at US Point with Canada on the other shore.
The dogs are staked out on the ice with ice screws and enjoy their lounging time after a long run.
Vast views
Everyone's interest is peaked as a human walks back from the hole made in the ice for dog water.
Beautiful skies!
From nowhere comes a snow storm dumping heavy wet snow on us all.
Portage
Everyone relaxes at base camp. When sleeping and curled up in a ball with their noses under their tail, they are trying to conserve heat so they can remain warm. Notice that most dogs are stretched out which means that the temperatures are quite warm for them. Zulu is up and on call as he usually was.
Sweet Pea stretches from a good night's rest as Klaus gazes stoically into the distance.
Wimzi at 5 months old
Topa gets brushed
White Feather and Wimzi are the best of friends
Neil with Wimzi Woo
Klaus has become a cuddler in the past several years. It is interesting to note that the shirt I am wearing was purchased by McKenzie when he decided to pee on it while it was hanging on the rack during a "meet a sled dog" evening at Gunflint Lodge a couple years ago.
White Feather is horrified that I want her to cuddle. She is absolutely NOT a cuddler just like her mom, Tuloon.
Look how Wimzi has grown!
I think you've got a little bit right there
She knows not to jump up but just couldn't seem to control herself when this carbonated beverage was involved.
Even stoic McKenzie wanted to try it
These sled dogs aren't spoiled or anything
Me and my boy Oken
I promised Neil that I would include this photo of me since I've included some goofy shots of him in the past. Pay back!
Neil with his buddy Zodiak
A BIG face lick from Journey
And then just a few nibbles
Zala
