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| DESTINATIONS
LIBRARY: No. 4 DOG SLEDGING IN THE ARCTIC Pictures © Bob Lee |
| When
it’s high summer in England the thoughts of winter sports enthusiasts
start turning to their next skiing holiday. But if you want to get away
from the crowds on the piste or just fancy a change, how about this for
something different? Bob Lee has done his fair share of skiing, in his case of the Nordic variety. But he has also ventured into the world of dog sledging, most recently in February 2001 when he took a trip to the north of Norway, way up above the Arctic Circle near Tromsø and into Sweden. The group stayed in traditional chalet style accommodation, some fairly basic, but the food provided was of a high standard. Here are some of Bob’s impressions of his week of sledge expeditions……. The dogs were very friendly and keen to pull the sledges. On this holiday there was one person to a sledge with four dogs. Driving the dogs involves standing on the sledge runners and letting the dogs have their head. This means that you are virtually standing still so that you can get very cold especially when the temperature is in the region -20 to -30°C and you’ve added the chill factor! |
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person has to harness his dogs to the sledge – this can be difficult or
exciting – depends on the individual dog.
I am not a ‘dog person’ and was pleasantly surprised to find how enjoyable the whole experience was. |
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There seemed to be little control over the dogs once moving. Each team followed the lead team in single file. | |
There is a foot brake which has to be applied vigorously when you need to stop and you have to concentrate on your dogs when driving. |
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Bob driving his team. Tromsø |
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 Dogs at rest |
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| Loading dogs into mobile kennels |  |
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Tea break. Sledges firmly
tethered. Jukosjarvi near Kiruna, Sweden. |
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| Bob’s
holiday was with Arcturos Expeditions. It was extremely cold so essential
to be properly equipped. Frostbite and snow blindness are real hazards.
Bob says that in addition to good cold weather clothing he wore three
layers of gloves and three pairs of socks and with the very bright sun
reflecting off the snow sun protection for exposed skin and sunglasses/snow
goggles are absolutely vital. No special skills are needed for this type of activity – just a reasonable level of fitness – anyone who walks regularly is fit enough. |