Dive

Rudy's first rodent dive of the 2023/2024 skijoring season. 

He's known for this antic, we've just been waiting for enough snow for the dives to return.

"Rodents under the snow! Incoming!" declares rodent diving Rudy.
Jack is searching for rodents too, he just doesn't do the high arching
swan dives like Rudy :)

We went to the Harrison Creek Trail at Rabbit Ears Pass this morning. At first there were a lot of tire tracks leading up the trail as it is still hunting season. But, after less than a mile, all the tire tracks ended and we found ourselves breaking trail in 4-8 inches of snow the rest of the way out! 

One wildlife track to Jack's left but beautiful, untouched deep
snow down the center of the trail!

The further we went, the deeper it got (to about 8 inches at our deepest points). What a treat!

Jack & Rudy powering through 8 inches of fresh powder as they
tow me along.

The reward for breaking trail all the way out? Well, you get to reuse your "out tracks" to speed up on the way back!

Smart Jack & Rudy reusing the out track on the return.

Now come along for a video demonstration of Jack & Rudy reusing their out track to speed up on the way back. Fun guys!

[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

At our turnaround point, Jack & Rudy looked like they were going to simply turnaround and go without any of their usual comedy. Well, of course that wasn't the case; the comedians have to perform :)

Turned around and about to restart when.... 
"Must drop & roll first!" declares snow angel rolling Jack.
"Must WOOOO in happiness first!" belts wooing Rudy.

Back to the trailhead and Jack & Rudy did their best to find a snow wall to climb for end of run treats:

"I got myself to your waist height!" says happy Jack.
"Look how tall I got!" declares happy Rudy.

An aerobic trailing breaking outing where we were happily slowed by deep snow:7.2 miles traveled with 600 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 18 MPH.

2023/2024 Season to Date: 17 days on the trails covering 133.9 miles with 13,300 feet of elevation climbed.