Snorkeling

We went snorkeling today in French Gulch!

Snorkeling along the French Gulch Trail - wheeee!

For those not familiar with the term... Snorkeling is used by powder and backcountry enthusiasts to describe skiing in chest to shoulder deep powder. It is also used by snowmobile enthusiasts to describe riding in "machine deep" powder. So, why wouldn't sled dogs breaking trail in shoulder deep powder be referred to as snorkeling as well? No reason not, so we have officially declared "sled dog snorkeling" as breaking trail in shoulder deep powder. We found ourselves snorkeling most of the day in French Gulch. Snorkeling in late April - what a surprise treat!

The day started modestly (compared to what we encountered later) as we were breaking trail in 10+ inches of fresh snow from the beginning of the outing. Well, 10+ inches is modest compared to the snorkeling we got into further along the trail!

The "modest" terrain as we are breaking trail in 10+ inches :-)

An aerobic workout of breaking trail to snorkeling was well worth it as we got in one of our favorite activities in French Gulch: moose sighting!

"Found one!" declare the intense moose watching pair whose noses lead them to the right to
give us a chance to watch a moose move through the trees.

Everybody having fun in the deep snow?

"Yes, I could go all day!" states long-legged Max.
"You bet; and what a workout!" states short & happy Zorro.

Not much can slow Max & Zorro to a less than 6 mile skijor outing. Snorkeling in 15-20 inches of fresh snow is one such thing... 5.6 miles covered with 500 feet of elevation climbed and a modest top speed of 14 MPH (you try running in 10+ inches of snow!)

2014/2015 Season to Date: 132 days on the trails covering 1136.2 miles with 119,200 feet of elevation climbed.