How do we celebrate the holidays? Why, run dogs of course! Today we took all the puppies out in one team for the first time! The team was comprised of:
Frosty and Belle
Yuker and Flash
Elmer and Badger
Nile and Vanessa
K. Louie and Nala
Ryne and Gunhild (in the basket)
I hope everyone had a wonderful day full of laughter and love. Merry Christmas from the Ryno Gang!
Winter Solstice has arrived! Wooohoooo!
One of the things I love most about Alaska is the extremes. From 24 hours of light in the summer to just a few hours twilight in the winter, from 85F in July to -50F in December, we get it all. Just when I start to get worn down by the intensity of a season, it starts to change. For this reason, WELCOME WINTER SOLSTICE!
Today the sun rose at 10:59 AM and then will set at 2:40 PM for a total length of day of 3:41:33! For many mushers in the area, the Winter Solstice is a big holiday all in itself. Rather than having Christmas parties, we're having a big solstice party to welcome the return of the sun. While tomorrow we'll only gain 19 seconds of sunlight, each day it will increase until by the end of December, we're gaining over 3:07 a day, and by the end of January, we're gaining at least 6:41 a day! Here are some photos taken in the lovely twilight of late December when the sun never reaches far above the horizon.
Gunhild's cousin, Oda, was recently visiting the kennel and took some pretty spectacular photos! I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!
Winding through a Birch forest
Patience- This time of year, it takes a good hour or two to prep all the dogs for a long run. Kindi and Fenton (Drummer and Coot behind) know the drill and wait patiently.
Lefty and Ham in lead, then Cartel and Fire, CJ, and Chagga and Kindi in wheel.
Sweet Niagra
Wingman and Ewok followed by Rucu and Wombat. Currently we can run 8-10 dog teams on sleds, otherwise, we're on the ATVs.
Perm and Niagra in lead, then Coot, Brant, and Fez and Rucu in wheel.
Cruising through the Black Spruce.
Drumer and Coot followed by CJ then Blitz and Gringa.
Remember the little fluff balls from this summer? Well they're not so little anymore! Nile, Badger, Nala, Vanessa, Elmer, King Louie, and Flash are now 7 1/2 months old and LOVE being sled dogs. They've been in harness several times over the last month and have really started to become comfortable and driven in the team. Amelia and Cooke are still too young for harness, so they get their exercise during free walks.
When running the seven-month-olds, I try to run them in two teams: three pups plus two adult leaders in one team and four pups plus two adult leaders in another. By running smaller teams, I can easily manage the speed, bring them to a stop, and work on manners....or so I thought.
In the video below, I tried to get a short clip of the team with all their happy faces and wagging tails; however, they became a tad impatient and tried to leave without me! This video is a perfect response to the question "How do you teach them to pull" Answer- "Pulling isn't the problem, it's teaching them to stop!"
For the next video of the puppies, I learned from the previous run and made sure to tie off to a tree this time! In this video, you'll see Frosty and Wombat in lead followed by King Louie, Vanessa, and Nile in wheel.
How is each pup doing?
King Louie- King Louie is winning at being a sled dog. Not only does Louie get vocal at hookup, but he screams for the first minute after take off urging the team to go faster, faster, faster! Pretty sure this guy already has the biggest head and thickest neck in the yard. Just muscle, everywhere.
Nala- Nala is beautiful and agile. She's all legs and tends to get tangled at hookup because she's so impatient to get moving. Once she's in motion, Nala is very focused (unless she's running next to her sister Vanessa, and then they like to pester each other a bit). Her tail is so long, it reminds me of a monkey's tail!
Vanessa- Vanessa is a little Perm. Loud, sassy, smooth movements, and super affectionate with every person she meets. If the puppies are all riled up in the yard, you can assume it's because Vanessa is doing laps and barking at all of her neighbors.
Nile- I'm scared to think of how BIG Nile will be when he's full grown. Nile is already wearing a red/yellow harness (as big as Coot), and he just keeps growing! You'd think that such a big pup would be a gangling mess running down the trail, but instead he's already starting to learn how to control his massive limbs into a fluid, graceful trot.
Badger- As a puppy, Badger was a bit of a sissy. He stayed close on puppy walks, and I'll be honest, he didn't seem to have the drive of a sled dog. Well, Badger proved me wrong! At the moment, Badger is one of the strongest pups in harness. But don't worry- even though he's grown into a cocky teenager, Badger still has his lovable, cuddly personality.
Elmer- Most people that meet Elmer ask if he's part Belgian Malinois, and he does look just like one! Elmer is always happy, always playing with his neighbors, and has a laid-back personality that everyone loves. Elmer has been running in swing (the position behind the leaders) because he's so focused!
Flash- Flash is gorgeous with her two-toned eyes and long, long legs. The first few times in harness, the pups were pulling the ATV, and Flash was a little distracted. However, now that we've moved to sleds, Flash has been very focused and loves to lope down the trail! Flash is a little more calm and relaxed than the other pups as if she's wise beyond her years.
Amelia- Amelia has yet to be in harness, but I can't wait until she's old enough to join the team! She's beautiful, agile, and so intense that I think being a sled dog is the only way to channel her nonstop energy. For now, she's wreaks havoc on the old dogs and pesters Stormy on puppy walks.
Cooke- This little cuddle bug is like a roley poley right now. So fat, so furry, I just want to hug and squeeze him all the time! Too. Much. Cuteness. Cooke lives with Crazy (11-year-old retired champion Iditarod dog turned nanny) since there are no puppies his age. I just wonder what stories Crazy tells Cooke from the trail as they snuggle up together at night.
Brothers Coot and Drake
After a few chilly runs, the team (human and canine) enjoyed some time in the warm cabin. When I looked around and saw Coot, Drake, Lefty, Fenton, Ham, Katy, Chagga, Cartel, Kindi, Supai, Jana, Drummer, Niagra, Perm, Fire, Fez, and Boone sprawled out around me, my childhood dream had come true. Yes, you can have a house full of dogs. And no, you're not crazy.
Exercising, caring for, and entertaining a kennel of 40 dogs is not a one-woman job! In addition to the friends, family, and sponsors that make it all possible, we've been lucky enough to have the help of some incredible people! So who is part of the Kennel Crew this year?
Gunhild arrived in mid-October from Norway and has been helping train the dogs, walk puppies, and do chores around the kennel. She has lots of prior mushing experience in both Norway and Alaska, but most importantly, Gunhild still has a smile on her face after 5 hour ATV runs at -30F! She has a soft spot of Niagra and Coot and is learning the spiderweb of Two Rivers trails, which is quite a feat!
Gunhild looking tough (cause she is!)
Gunhild and Ewok
Stormy, Cooke and Tyler
Tyler helped out in September and October with fall training, kennel chores, and puppy walking. He'll be back during the Adventure Trips to take care of all the pups left at home and make sure everyone gets lots of attention! The rest of the winter, Tyler is visiting his family in Wisconsin and then handling during the Copper Basin 300 for prior Ryno Crew, Riley Dyche (who started his own kennel- Dark Horse Racing). After the Copper Basin, Tyler is handling for neighbor and friend, Matt Hall, during the Yukon Quest! We'll let it slide that Tyler is handling for the competition :)
I can't mention the new Ryno Crew members without saying thanks again to Maliko and Tessa for all their hard work last year. Tessa is currently living in California and recently became engaged! Maliko is in Fairbanks and has a "real world" job, but we're roping her into coming out to train whenever we can.
On by!
With the snow still lacking, we decided to head to the Denali Highway for some truck training! Derek and I packed up 30 athletes (21 adults and 9 yearlings) and met our friends and fellow mushers from Smokin' Ace Kennel for three days of winter camping and truck mushing fun!
One might think that truck mushing is the lazy way to exercise the athletes, and in some ways, it is! Rather than sitting on an ATV at -20F, we slowly drive at 9-10 mph in the warm cab of the pickup, listening to music, and rolling down the window whenever we need to yell a command out to the team. Sounds plush right? Well, we learned that hard way that we're just not cut out for truck mushing. After spending long hours sitting in the truck then getting out to load dogs or bootie paws, both Derek and I could hardly move with our backs all tense and out of whack. While the dogs have fun no matter what they're pulling, we need to be active! Bring on the sleds!
Jezzy, Matt, and I enjoying the warmth of the wood stove. (photo by Amanda Brooks)
Derek and I hanging out while the dogs take a short nap. (photo by Amanda Brooks)
The dogs waiting to run.
Two lines, 30 dogs, and Kindi is ready to rock!
Can you see the Alaska Range on the horizon?
One of my favorite trails in Two Rivers is called the Fire Break Trail. Most of the Two Rivers trails weave through the lowlands, swamps, or down the Chena River, but the Fire Break is entirely hills. Going straight up and straight down, the trail climbs the ridges bordering the Chena Valley where we can get a glimpse out across both the Chena Valley and the Tanana Flats. On clear days, like today, we can see the Alaska Range 100 miles away!
The team basking in the alpine glow of 3:15 PM in Alaska.
Calamity Jane and Drake posing for the camera.
Originally I had intended to do a Veteran’s Day post, but I couldn’t quite get organized yesterday. Instead, I figured I’d just do a “My Dad is the Best Dad in the Whole World” post today, which is actually more fitting because as I brainstormed what to write, I realized “Thank you for your service” just wasn’t going to cut it.
For the first chapter of my life, Mike Olson was a dashingly handsome Navy pilot, as you can see from the pictures. His callsign was Swede, and he flew the A-6 Intruder. For your time given to the United States and our freedoms, thank you. For the dedication and sacrifices of all our military servicemen and women- thank you!
But I have to selfishly admit, it’s the time my dad gave specifically to me that has had such a monumental impact and shaped who I am today. From coaching my soccer team (the Intruders) to coaching my nordic team (Team RAD) to organizing backpacking trips (during which it always rained, snowed, or had no trail) to cooking the best breakfasts, he has always been there. Occasionally, he takes it too far, like hiding in the bushes during my college soccer tryouts, which were closed to the public. It was only mildly embarrassing to be called out in front of everyone.
Most importantly, he showed me how to smile and laugh even when conditions were miserable, and how the best stories come from the most challenging adventures. For that, thank you.
You’ve inspired a new and improved proverb:
Give a woman a fish and you feed her for a day. Teach a woman to fish, never catch anything, but smile and laugh the whole time- you’ve shown her how to love life.
I love you Dad.
The past couple of days, we traveled to Alpine Creek Lodge on the Denali Highway and experienced a lot of firsts! First time chasing wolves, first time being movie stars (Ok, so we weren't the main focus, but Cartel, Fire, Boone, Brant, Drake, and Coot will be in a movie!), and first time truck training on the Denali Highway!
The team chasing the black wolf!
1- First time chasing wolves! The Denali Highway is a 135-mile mostly gravel highway between Cantwell and Paxson right through the Alaska Range. Caribou, moose, fox, bear, wolverine, lynx, marten, wolves, and loads of other wildlife call this area home. For the first time this trip, we literally ran with wolves! Cresting a hill, we spotted a large grey wolf, and as we rounded the corner, two more sprinted down the road, including the black one in the photograph. Curious Lefty thought it was pretty exciting and wanted to chase after them!
Cartel, Fire, Boone, Coot, Drake, and Brant patiently waiting for their turn in the spotlight.
2- First time being canine movie stars! I'm not sure how much I can share, so the description is going to be vague, but we'll be in a documentary with the Bondys at their incredible home of Alpine Creek Lodge. Fire, Cartel, Boone, Brant, Coot, and Drake did a spectacular job repeating scenes, patiently waiting their turn, and looking adorable for the camera. Sometimes when we were running, a snowmachine with the cameraman would be just a couple feet away, and they never once were distracted! Great job team!
Jezzy supervising the team and wishing she was a sled dog.
I'm going to take this opportunity to promote Alpine Creek Lodge- if you're coming to Alaska, look them up! They have an incredible lodge in the middle of nowhere (68 mile of the Denali Highway to be exact), and it has all the amenities that you'd expect at a 5-star hotel and restaurant. Plus, they're dog lovers. Need I say more?
3- First time truck training! When there's not enough snow for sleds and you have a large group of dogs to train, some mushers hook up the whole team to the truck. The trails in Two Rivers are too narrow and windy for a truck, but the Denali Highway is perfect! Twenty-one dogs attached to the front of the Ford, and off we went! While it was nice to ride in the heated cab of a truck, I can't wait to come back with sleds!
Beautiful sunny days on the trail.
This season has been exceptionally low on snow, with October going down as the driest October in the history of Fairbanks! One might think I was sorely disappointed by the weather (since mushing is preferable on a sled); however, I have to admit, the crystal clear blue sky days followed by extravagant aurora displays were fine by me. After a wet summer, I'm soaking up all the Vitamin D I can. Also, who wouldn't want to look at the northern lights? The lights have been so active, that occasionally I'd see them on my drive to work at 7:00 AM in the morning!
Camping with everyone.
As the miles are starting to get longer, we're spending lots of time puttering along on an ATV. In September and the beginning of October, we stick to dirt roads, but as the swamps freeze up, the Two Rivers trail system triples in size. Two Rivers is known for having some of the best training conditions in all of Alaska: hills, flats, rivers, passing dog teams, loose dogs, cars, cabins- we have it all. And because of that, there are literally thousands of little offshoots. Sometimes they work as dog trails, and other times we find ourselves at the end of wood cutter's area and have to turn a 16 dog team 180 degrees in the other direction. Or we crash through weak overflow ice. Or we high center the ATV on tussoks the size of a beach ball. Whatever the obstacle, I love it- it keeps it interesting!
*You might notice I've been saying "we," which is in reference to the dogs, myself, and Gunhild! Gunhild is joining Ryno Kennel this season from Norway. I will be doing a proper introduction in near future!
Lights over the cabin.
We're getting snow!
Just yesterday, we received our first substantial amount of snow. About three to four inches fell over the course of yesterday and last night. The dogs are in heaven!! Every time we stopped, they'd bite the snow, roll around, and cover themselves in a blanket of snow crystals. Watching their bubbling excitement reminded me of a class of elementary school kids out in their first snowy recess, squealing, rolling around, chasing each other and just genuinely happy.
As many of the longtime Kennel followers know, Fire and Ham are some of the main leaders who blaze through any obstacle. Their knowledge of Gee and Haw is flawless, and a trail is not necessary, they'll make their own. Recently, I've been working on training other young dogs to be just as bold, and they've been doing great! The video below is of Katy (who is already an all-star leader) and Belle in lead with Lefty and Boone in swing navigating a massive patch of overflow on the banks of the Chena River. I called them off the safety of the shore and out onto the ice. While they didn't respond immediately to the commands, they still did exceptionally well and are showing lots of progress! Running across thin ice is a terrifying thought for lots of these guys (except Drake who wishes he lived in water), so the trust and determination shown is impressive! The video ends when I realized I could go no farther in the ATV because we'd busted through the overflow and the ice in front was too thick to bulldoze. This ended up being one of those times were we practiced a full team turn around :)
Ryno Kennel is home to Iditarod and Yukon Quest veteran, Ryne Olson and her growing sled dog racing kennel in Two Rivers, Alaska.
All Photos Taken by: Scott Chesney, Julien Schroder, Kalyn Holl, or other Ryno Crew. All rights reserved. Please contact prior to using any photos.
BIG THANKS TO THE RYNO TEAM
Big Dan’s Trucking
Rick and Sue Patton
All Dog Sponsors
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @RynoKennel
