expedtion with samoyeds in skanderna 2011 part 1

Expedition with samoyeds Expedition with samoyeds in Skandernain Skanderna

From Särna via Treriksröset to From Särna via Treriksröset to KurravaaraKurravaara

5/3- 21/4-20115/3- 21/4-2011

Part one

ParticipantsParticipants

Christina and Håkan NisulaChristina and Håkan Nisula

dogs: Allak, Arija, Aijas, Bielka, Birk, dogs: Allak, Arija, Aijas, Bielka, Birk, Appa, Corall, Corona, Delta, Nallo, Appa, Corall, Corona, Delta, Nallo,

Sarek, Singi, Spira och SälkaSarek, Singi, Spira och Sälka

Bielkersmils kennel ©

Wednesday the 2/3- 2011

The things we should bring were scattered all over the house. We felt stressed and wondered

if we really would be ready in time.

Saturday the 5/3, sunny and -12 degrees centigrade. At last we will soon be on our way. Some things are still to be put in the sledge

bags, the dogs shall have their harnesses on and be put in front of the sledges, then we will be off.

The dogs are excited and eager to get out

Håkan thought he knew the first part by hart so he didn’t use any map. Instead of turning back as we realized we were

lost we had a hysteric trip through the woods. There

were tracks, and probably scent, from reindeer so the dogs

were extra excited. This steep hill was at the end

of this first part.

The relief was great as we finally left the

woods and reached Dalälven. The dogs

worked really hard and the speed was good. After about 1/2h it

started to snow and the wind was quite hard.

The snow and the wind stung our faces and it was hard to see. This

was the only time that Christina used the ski

googles.

Sarek on stakeout first evening

Camping place first night

Håkan is melting snow to the dogs.

Cold weather, nice trail and dogs that were

eager to work – can life be any better?

Short stop second day

Good speed down hill

There was mountains ahead already the third

day.

We arrived at Rogenstugan on Monday. There we took a sauna, washed ourselves, dried clothes and our sleeping bags.

As we were on our way to Rogenstugan Håkan crushed into a trail cross so the sledge was broken. The nice host at the cottage gave us an old cottage sign which Håkan used to fix the sledge.

On the night to the ninth of march it was very windy so to stop the tent from blowing away we tied it to the

sledge.

The dogs rolled up in the snow

In spite of the hard wind the tent was still standing steadily in the morning.

Stop in Tänndalen to pick up some more

dog food

As we left Tänndalen the sky was dangerousily

grey.

We slept in Bruksvallarna. During the night and in the morning it snowed so the

trail was heavy.

Corona and Sarek are resting

On our way up towards Fältjägaren from Ramundberget.

The dogs on stakeout at Fältjägaren

The ten-team with Aijas and Spira in the lead.

Short stop at Ljungan

In the mountains in Härjedalen the snow had blown away.

We tried to get around the stony parts but often we had to shovel snow in front of the sledges so that the running surface

wouldn´t be scratched.

The Polaris had to be fixed again. This time

Håkan used a tree branch.