Fall Colors, Rut Season, First Snow, and Canicross

We’ve had a spectacular autumn filled with brilliant yellows and golds, cool mornings, and even early snow!

Earlier this fall, Kirk, Sappho and Peeps all shed their velvet signalling the start of rut season. Since Pilot and Sailor are both castrated, they will shed their velvet later this fall.

Now rut season (breeding season) for the reindeer is in full swing, complete with Kirk trying his best to challenge everyone and everything in sight. During this time, we’ve separated the steers (Pilot and Sailor) from the other three- Kirk (bull), Peeps (cow), and Kalyn’s reindeer Sappho (cow)- with hopes that Peeps and Sappho will calve next spring! During this time, Kirk is a total bully. The only living creature that somehow avoids Kirk’s wrath is Peeps. Kirk charges through the fence at Sailor and Pilot, mock charges at us humans, keeps Sappho far to the back of the pen, and yet somehow Peeps is allowed to do whatever she pleases. Don’t get me wrong. He still charges her in a huff. But Peeps gives him this look as if to say- I remember you and your prepubescent awkwardness so don’t take that tone with me mister. And Kirk strangely listens. Lucky little Peeps.

And shout out to Kalyn for all these spectacular reindeer photos! Check out her photography on both Instagram and Facebook under Kalyn Holl Photography.

Kirk

Queen Peeps

Sappho shedding the velvet off her antlers.

Sappho and her freshly shed velvet

Since Kirk, Sappho, and Peeps are busy with the rut season, Pilot and Sailor have become the main reindeer ambassadors for our tours at Chena Outdoor Collective. Kalyn captured some beautiful photos of them posing with all the fall colors.

Sailor

Pilot

Pilot

Pilot

It wasn’t long after the reindeer photos were taken that it snowed! The dogs have been JAZZED to run in the cooler temperatures and fresh, soft snow. Granted, the snow didn’t deter them from swimming in the river during our water breaks!

We also had our first race of the season- the Two Rivers Dog Mushers Canicross Race! During a canicross race, a single dog pulls a human while the human runs. First-congrats to Perm and Simon for finishing in FIRST PLACE! And thanks to the Two Rivers Dog Mushers for hosting the event!

As for me, I made a series of bad decisions that have resulted in me hobbling around the kennel. My first mistake was thinking I could run a 5K with very little preparation leading up to the race. Next I selected one of the largest, strongest, and most enthusiastic dogs in the kennel (Sherlock) as my running partner. Then, I actually raced the race, not that I had much of a choice with Sherlock dragging me down the trail. My options were to either destroy my quads and lower back trying to slow Sherlock down or destroy my hamstrings and calves trying to keep pace with Sherlock’s sub seven minute mile. I ended up accomplishing both (meaning crippling my quads, hamstrings, calves, and back) as I hurdled down the trail behind a 65-lb wrecking ball, and now I can hardly walk around the kennel. As I collapsed on the ground after crossing the finish line, Sherlock proceeded to harness bang and bark, dragging me on my rear-end across the snow. I think I’ll stick to a sled from now on.

Also, because of the amazing Ryno Kennel Crew, I was able to sneak away for 28 hours and fly to Bettles with my pilot buddy Jess. This was the longest distance I’ve flown without a “Derek safety net”. Upon arrival in Bettles, Brooks Range Aviation outdid themselves in the hospitality department, letting us park in front of their hangar, plug in the planes in preparation for the cold night ahead, and borrow an engine cover! They said that in their 30 years of business, this was the first time there were more female pilots than male pilots in Bettles, so of course we had to line up for a photo! A big thank you to Kristin and Andy Pace for the incredible hospitality! It was so fun to see you!