Winter goes to the dogs

Earlier this season, up near Greenville, Maine, I skied from the West Branch Pond Camps to Little Lyford Pond Camps as part of a program offered by the Appalachian Mountain Club. What a great adventure!

Dogsledding was another option on this trip. Steve Madera of Song in the Woods Dogsled Adventures brought two teams and two sleds. Anyone who wanted to was allowed to drive a sled.

At dinner that night, I compared notes with one of the mushers, Rob. We debated on who had the most fun and who worked up a better appetite for the delicious food that was being served in abundance. As near as we could figure, it was a tie.

Rob traveled almost twice as far and got his exercise hanging on as he stood on the sled’s runners. This is called “scootering,” actively pushing the sled up the bigger hills as the dogs tire, and manhandling it through tight spots.

Most folks encounter dogsledding -- if they encounter it at all -- either as a spectator sport or as a short ride offered as an "activity" at many winter resorts. Usually, you are bundled into a sled, wrapped warmly in blankets, and hauled around a lake or woodland trail.

Maintaining a dog team is way too much commitment for most of us. Breeding, training, feeding, doctoring and running a team is a huge commitment of space, time and money.

Fortunately, there are folks like Steve Madera and Jim Blair at Eden Mountain Lodge in Vermont who support their dog habits by helping other people learn how much fun it is to harness a team of dogs and go tearing across the countryside. If you still need to warm up to the idea and want to observe before driving, the New England Sled Dog Club sponsors many races and events throughout the winter.

Sled dogs understand the fun of being active outdoors. Going along with them is a wonderful winter adventure and something I’d highly recommend.