During a summer on the ice, we get asked so many questions. Here is a list of the most common, so you can learn a little more about what we do.
How long is your season?
We operate the camp from the first week in May to the first week in September.
Will it be cold?
You will be on snow, but we will have sun and temperatures around 45-70 degrees, so dress comfortably and in layers. Dress for chilly weather. You can always take off a layer if you are too warm.
What will I need to bring?
A warm coat, sweater, some gloves, and hat are the basics. Believe it or not, bring sunscreen and sunglasses. The sun on the glacier is really intense, and there is a lot of reflection off the snow. ERA Helicopters will provide glacier boots so no worries about your feet.
What do you feed your dogs?
Simply put, we feed the best and that is QC+ Dog Food. We've been running sled dogs for over 25 years now and every winter the best of the dogs that you mush with in the summer on the glacier compete in the Iditarod in the winter.
These animals simply deserve the best we can offer for all they give to us in return. If you would like to share the same excitement about dog food with your four legged friend back home check out QC+ by clicking onto the QC+ icon. Happy Trails!
Will I be able to take pictures?
Absolutely! Bring plenty of extra film because there will be many photo opportunities and the 7-11 store is a long ways away.
How do the dogs get up here?
All of the dogs are flown up to camp in helicopters. We take all the seats out and put in special doggie seats just for them. (The hardest part is keeping those head sets on their ears!)
How many dogs and people are there?
We have a full time staff of 20 people and 150 huskies.
Do you sleep on the glacier?
Yes, all of us live and sleep on the glacier, all summer long. We do however get days off in Juneau every week so we can smell grass and flowers again.
Do the dogs get cold?
No, these dogs actually prefer cold weather and have a special dual layer coat specifically for this type of climate. Remember, these dogs think minus 10 below is a nice brisk day to take a run.
How do you remember all the dogs names?
Love.
Do you mush boy or girl dogs?
We mush both. The females tend to be smaller in size but they often make the best leaders. (so what else is new!)
How do you make the dogs pull?
The hardest job a musher has is to teach the Alaskan Husky the term "WHOA". They are born wanting to pull and to see what's around the next corner. We never answer the question "do the dogs like to do this?" because we feel the dogs do a pretty good job of answering that on their own.
