The 'hoist' is the ritual as each racer crosses the finish line in Charlottetown Labrador's White Bear Arm Sled Dog Race - what an honor to partake in the event. The Labrador spirit of outdoor life and adventure in the country pulsed through my veins at this time!
Other pictures:
- The seven mushers. Winner Dwayne Russell (far left) has 40 years of experience and about 80 first place finishes!
- A mid-race photo as I approached the island (9km mark) which we horse-shoed around and completed the remaining 9 km back to the finish. One team passes me headed in that direction. As I glided over the icy wilderness I often found myself thinking of the people who mushed across this great land before me to hunt, trap, travel and explore - long before the arrival of the snowmobile or automobile. They lived it for real!
- The owner of the team I mushed Dennis Woodrow Burden and I discuss how the race went. "Not too bad eh Den b'y! One thing's for sure, it's a bit of a colder affair at -33°C when I'm sat on a komatik being pulled by huskies versus pulling a 250lb toboggan myself!" If the race went much longer I would have been up for intervals running with the dogs! Clothing choices, including more wool layers and no removing of them was crucial. I got frostbite on my cheek during the race and Den froze his fingers as we harnessed up the dogs beforehand. The metal clips we unsnapped to remove them from their post were frozen and burned barehands like hot-steel to touch. It was a job that could not be done with gloves!
Capital Subaru (got me 1200 road km to Labrador) Lure of the North Outfitters (kept me warm and well outfitted) Happy Yak meals (kept me nourished at the tent)
Consider www.patreon.com/justinbarbour for behind-the-scenes updates and exclusive content you can't beat.
Justin Barbour
The 'hoist' is the ritual as each racer crosses the finish line in Charlottetown Labrador's White Bear Arm Sled Dog Race - what an honor to partake in the event. The Labrador spirit of outdoor life and adventure in the country pulsed through my veins at this time!
Other pictures:
- The seven mushers. Winner Dwayne Russell (far left) has 40 years of experience and about 80 first place finishes!
- A mid-race photo as I approached the island (9km mark) which we horse-shoed around and completed the remaining 9 km back to the finish. One team passes me headed in that direction. As I glided over the icy wilderness I often found myself thinking of the people who mushed across this great land before me to hunt, trap, travel and explore - long before the arrival of the snowmobile or automobile. They lived it for real!
- The owner of the team I mushed Dennis Woodrow Burden and I discuss how the race went. "Not too bad eh Den b'y! One thing's for sure, it's a bit of a colder affair at -33°C when I'm sat on a komatik being pulled by huskies versus pulling a 250lb toboggan myself!" If the race went much longer I would have been up for intervals running with the dogs! Clothing choices, including more wool layers and no removing of them was crucial. I got frostbite on my cheek during the race and Den froze his fingers as we harnessed up the dogs beforehand. The metal clips we unsnapped to remove them from their post were frozen and burned barehands like hot-steel to touch. It was a job that could not be done with gloves!
More pictures to come, plus a film to YouTube (youtube.com/justinbarbournlexplorer).
#lifeisbetteroutdoors #anythingispossible #sleddogs #SledDogRace #mushing #adventure
Trip partners:
Capital Subaru (got me 1200 road km to Labrador)
Lure of the North Outfitters (kept me warm and well outfitted)
Happy Yak meals (kept me nourished at the tent)
Consider www.patreon.com/justinbarbour for behind-the-scenes updates and exclusive content you can't beat.
6 months ago | [YT] | 276