Perfect Listening

Nice shot of Jack & Rudy "catching air" on this morning's skijor!

All 8 feet off the ground as the kids are in a fast "sprint tuck" cruising
along the perfect trail.

We returned to the trails on Peak 7 this morning after yesterday's very entertaining outing. We only had time for a short run this morning and knew the conditions would have deteriorated some since yesterday; but we were willing to try and get a quick early sunrise skijor. There is a large loop that will become part of Breckenridge Nordic Center once there is enough snow to groom. Yesterday we did an out/back on the upper 2/3 of the loop and today we did an out/back on the lower 1/3 of the loop. We were happily surprised to find we out-skied all existing tracks on the lower loop and were able to lay fresh tracks for a nice stretch of the outing!

Fresh tracks - wheeee! Fresh snow all to ourselves.

On today's lower loop, we pass by some of the nordic center warming huts. Jack & Rudy have two uses for the warming huts.

Use #1: A warming hut is a "cooling destination" for Siberian Huskies :) 

"Ah, yes, rolling snow angels to cool off at the warming hut!" demonstrates
the silly kids who almost always stop, drop & roll at this hut!

Use #2: an object to "fly on by" on the trails. If not stopping to roll, Jack & Rudy use the huts are targets to fly by.

Not rolling, so we must be flying :)

Today's video highlight is a great example of perfect Jack & Rudy listening to me on the trails. Come along as we are flying along a nice stretch of trail. Then, about 30ish seconds into this clip and we approach a very thin layer of snow over lots of rocks (some exposed). A simple "easy, easy" from me and Jack & Rudy slow to walk over the thin snow & rocks (thus keeping the human upright). Finally, I exit the danger zone and a simple "Ok" from me and Jack & Rudy take off again. Incredible listening and teamwork to keep the human on skis upright through a danger zone!

[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

So proud to return to the trailhead and tell elder/mentor Zorro about the kids' incredible listening skills on the trails this morning!

"Really? They listened?!?!" asks stunned Zorro :)
"Yep, all ears over here!' adds Jack & Rudy.

A short but very fun run this morning: 5.1 miles traveled with 500 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 22 MPH.

2021/2022 Season to Date: 12 days on the trails covering 84.5 miles with 8300 feet of elevation climbed.