Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Tow Hill Training Session

This sign speaks for itself: Lots and lots of sled dogs this past weekend

Eric and I along with the whole Maryland Sled Dog Adventures gang are back from a wonderful three days of training the sled dogs in State College, Pennsylvania. The annual Tow Hill Training Session is one of our favorite events of the season. In addition to great training, there is great food (these guys know the true meaning of a pot luck supper), lots of musher socialization, and plenty of time spent hanging out with the sled dogs.

Future lead dog: Kiana's Sammamish with retired lead dog, Zoe, in the background

Big White Dog, Okemo.

Sobo can both lead and follow. This weekend he ran wheel next to Luke

Kiana's Acadia (lead dog) resting on the line

Luke resting on the picket line after the run. Luke runs in both team and wheel.

Gypsy Queen (aka GQ) catches a nap on the picket line. Gypsy ran lead this weekend.

Wheel dog, Okemo, hangs out post run

While at Tow Hill, the team practiced lots of head on passing and lots of over taking passing. There were also ample opportunities for gee/haw and hill training. Tow Hill is also a great opportunity to run with all types of teams ranging from recreational teams to the Alaska circuit's pro caliber teams. This year there were even two awesome brand new trails that really inspired the dogs to run hard.

Two of Rob Downey's dogs being hooked up

Six dog sprint team coming through the chute and heading out on the trails

Eight dog Siberian team from Xtreme Weather Kennels

One dog team on an Outlaw rig

Tons of opportunities for gee/haw training

The trails at Tow Hill are simply awesome!


A team of Alaskans (hounds) from New York

There were trucks (and teams) of all sizes (Rob Downey's truck)

These guys were moving so fast they were just a blur

Dogs of all types attended

From the Powers Pack: Kodiak

Saturday I ran the team approximately five miles and on Sunday Eric ran the team approximately six miles. Afternoons were spent socializing and hanging out. All of the dogs slept on the truck which was good practice for little puppy monster Sammamish.

Sammi practiced spending time on the picket line

Acadia harnessed and ready to run just as the sun is starting to come up

Eric coming back with our five dog team: Gypsy and Acadia in lead; Okemo in team; Luke and Sobo in wheel

Linda with the four dog Powers Pack team coming back from Sunday's run

Headlamps are great except when you are trying to take a photo. Eric driving our five dog team.

Musher socialization with the Powers Pack.

Dog trucks through the trees

Some folks camped out. Others slept in the lodge or bunkhouse

Wagon full of pumpkins (and no this was not part of the pot luck supper. I was far too busy stuffing my face at dinner to take any photos!)