Dogsledding? – a hostel event from the? Canadiana, Toronto Canada.? ?
Before Canadian Armand Bombardier invented the snowmobile, winter transport in Canada’s far north was strictly by dogsled teams. They are still used by native trappers in some parts of the country. It’s a tradition that won’t die as long as there is still snow and northern wilderness. Dogsled Racing has become quite a big sport.
There is an annual dogsled race? in Alaska that runs? through 1,150 miles of? wilderness from Anchorage to Nome.? The country is so rough that a? “Musher’s” kit even? includes a high-powered rifle.
At the Canadiana Hostel, we arrange recreational dogsledding (with JoJo Tours of Toronto) to an area near Ontario’s massive Algonquin Park. Our? resident staff-member Michel – I’ll try anything once - el-Chalache, went to check out the dogsledding tour.? He and a group of French travellers went up for the day to give it a try. They loved it!
Michel has a video on his cellphone showing him with a pair of dogs pulling his small sled as he yelled “Hike!”, Hike!”, “Hike!” and the dogs run faster and faster. I thought the word was “Mush!” to make them go faster; but, Michel insists you yell “Hike” (Maybe it’s a Lebanese thing.)
Apparently, “Mushing” (as it is called) is quite an experience and you can travel? rather fast with a full team? driven by an? experienced “Musher”.? But when you try it alone (with a small sled and a pair of dogs) they often ignore your orders and sniff trees whenever they feel like it. Apparently they can sense it when you don’t know what you’re doing.
You ride around a two kilometer track through the woods driven by the dog owner. Then you can drive a small team (pair) by yourself. While you wait your turn you can warm up by a bonfire roasting marshmallows and drinking hot chocolate or try a hike on snowshoes.
The final trips this? season will take place on March 5th and March 12th, with JoJo Tours leaving right from the hostels’ door. Cost: $60 (cheap).
These girls are from Holland, are studying in Toronto, and are lovely.
Anyone for tennis? No,? these are snowshoes and vital to get around? in the snow covered wilderness. Did you know that Dutch women are, on average, the tallest in the World.
The dogs getting to know their passengers, before the trip.
And they’re off. This is a lot of fun and a great way to see the Canadian country during the winter.
Michel, ? our intrepid staff member (read Polar Bear Plunge, Feb 25th, 2007),? checking the lay of the land at the back of a snowmobile before going dogsledding. ?