1300 Miles

Look at what Jack & Rudy accomplished this morning!

"And we thoroughly enjoyed EVERY single mile!!!" says the happy
and proud kids.

Yes, this is the fun kids' third straight season with over 1300 miles of skijoring! The 6 year olds actually have 5 straight seasons with over 1200 miles of skijoring; but it is just the last 3 that have surpassed 1300 as well. Quite the accomplishment for my young pals!

To top if off, guess what we got condition-wise to surpass 1300 miles this morning? Well, we found ourselves laying fresh tracks in 3-5 inches of fluffy new snow atop Vail Pass! I knew we were supposed to get a dusting of snow overnight, but I never expected it would turn into 3-5 inches of very light & fluffy snow. What a treat for late May!

We started the day weaving through some trees to enjoy the fresh snow. It takes a lot of confidence in your partners to go "tree skijoring" as you are winding through trees by voice commands. But, I totally trust Jack & Rudy!

Whee - laying fresh tracks weaving through the trees!

Eventually the trees thinned and we got to the vast open meadows atop Vail Pass. Conditions were mid Winter PERFECT at this elevation. Just look at this beautiful photo:

Is it May 22 or January 22?
The power twins blasting through upwards of 5 inches of fresh & fluffy snow.

We skijored up one side of a large ravine to then come back down the other side. So, we were laying fresh tracks ALL day long! The mountain views on the way back are quite stunning!

Still laying fresh tracks with cool mountain views ahead of us.
The "cuts" you see in the trees directly above Rudy are the ski runs
of Copper Mountain Ski Resort.

With such awesome views in the prior photo, we'll use that for today's video highlight. Come along and watch fun as we had an amazing fresh tracks skijor this May 22nd!

[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

You know what else fresh & fluffy snow is good for? Well, rolling snow angels with gusto, of course :)

Stop, drop and roll goes the silly kids at one pause during the outing.

What a beautiful way to surpass 1300 miles, right guys?

"Oh that was FUN! Glad summer only lasted 3 days!" says the happy kids
thrilled to be back on snow after 3 LONG days off :)

Today's fresh tracks fun: 8.4 miles traveled with 900 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 22 MPH.

2023/2024 Season to Date: 154 days on the trails covering 1301.2 miles with 129,200 feet of elevation climbed.

Return

We had so much fun skijoring the Spring Crust at Vail Pass yesterday that we returned to do it again today!

Jack & Rudy flying along the endless and wonderfully firm Spring Crust
atop Vail Pass!

The only difference between yesterday and today was today was heavily overcast skies whereas yesterday was a bright & sunny bluebird day. So, yesterday had lots of cool shadow effects in the photos while today was virtually shadowless; but the photos are still cool :)

We spent most of the day on the endless crust as you saw in the first photo. But, at our highest point of the outing, we turn towards the backcountry huts which are situated amidst some somewhat dense trees. But, the trees are sparse enough that you can weave through the trees continuing on the firm crust. I really enjoy this slalom through the trees behind Jack & Rudy!

Swooshing through the trees - wheeee!

With the overcast skies, it did not feel as warm as yesterday despite the actual temperature being slightly warmer. The sun at 11,000 feet above sea level adds significant "feel heat" that does not happen with thick clouds. As a result, Rudy took the chance to give us a song instead of rolling snow angels at one turnaround point of the outing:

"WOOOOOOOOO!" sings beautiful voice Rudy.
Jack, of course, ALWAYS rolls snow angels regardless of the weather
or temperatures :)

But, it is still May, so the temperatures were near to slightly above freezing. That did not go unnoticed by Rudy at our next turnaround point of the day!

"Turnaround! Roll around!' goes the snow rolling sillies.
Which legs are Jack's and which are Rudy's? Hard to tell :)

The majority of the day, though, was spent flying along the wonderful and endless Spring Crust:

Ears pinned back - nice aerodynamics from the fast running sled dogs!

Now come along for a minute of what it is like to abandon set trails and glide anywhere you want atop the firm Spring Crust. Wheeee!

[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

Once back to the trailhead and the smart kids made a beeline for the same high snow wall they found to climb yesterday. They do not forget anything!

Perched high up for treats yet again!

Another fun day atop Vail Pass: 8.2 miles traveled with 900 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 22 MPH.

2023/2024 Season to Date: 144 days on the trails covering 1226.3 miles with 121,600 feet of elevation climbed.

Trees to Meadows

I think Jack & Rudy had a super fun skijor this morning, what do you think?

"We had a BLAST today!!!!" exclaims the happy, happy kids.

Today's outing took us exploring the Spring crust on the West Summit of Rabbit Ears Pass. Temperatures were above freezing as we started (but still in the mid 30s), so I was not sure if the crust was going to be solid enough to hold us. We started the day on set trails from the West Summit and then, once up a few hundred feet in elevation, we decided to abandon set trails and test the crust.

Success!!! The crust was surprisingly firm for the temperatures. As a result, we were able to set our own path and weave through the trees for the first 1/3 of the outing!

Cruising through the trees on a wonderful Spring crust.

Eventually the forest started to thin and we transitioned into vast open meadows. The crust was great in the openings as well. Jack & Rudy know what to do in vast meadows - no obstacles means floor it :)

Zoom, zoom, zooming along!

Come along for a short video highlight capturing the theme of the day. We start in the trees and then transition into a vast open meadow. I can't decide which was more fun: weaving in the trees or flying across the meadows. Both were great fun - we'll call it a tie :)

[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

With temperatures above freezing, you know what Jack & Rudy were going to do at any pause along the way...

"Aaahhh - rolling snow angels to cool off!" demonstrates the goofy kids.

A fun, fun day to report back to retired mentor Zorro and share 'end of run' treats!

"Ready!" declares focused Zorro.
"We had such a great time!" adds the patiently waiting kids.

We love when the conditions match our expectations!!! 6.8 miles traveled with 600 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 22 MPH.

2021/2022 Season to Date: 149 days on the trails covering 1250.3 miles with 117,300 feef of elevation climbed.

Crust Flying

I think Jack & Rudy were having a good time today, how about you? :)

Happy, happy, happy kids to be flying on a perfect Spring
crust this April 21st.

Today's skijor outing found us touring the Spring crust around Dry Lake Campground at the base of Buffalo Pass. As I implied above, the conditions were PERFECT! The crust was firm & solid and we had a blast taking off through open meadows in between groves of trees. Here are the impressive kids flying along one such open meadow:

Jack & Rudy catching air as we fly along. Wheeee!

Now come along for the video counterpart of the prior photo. Every time we encountered an open meadow, Jack & Rudy floored it as you see in this video. Then, as each meadow came to an end (at a cluster of trees), we'd either stop to turnaround or slow to continue into the trees. In this video we stop, so that means you get the Jack & Rudy "stop action" - stop, drop & roll snow angels :)

[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

But, coming upon a cluster of trees does not mean you always have to stop. When the aspen groves were open enough, we'd slow a bit and then wind our way through the trees. It takes a lot of confidence in your skijor partners to put yourself into a grove of trees and glide through via voice command! I love skijoring with these two!

Cool aspen grove with plenty of room between the trees for Jack & Rudy
to continue and wind me through by voice command. Impressive kids :)

Yet, as the video shows, not all tree clusters were open enough for us to proceed into. So, we had many 'stop, drop & roll' episodes on today's outing. It is late April after all and the the temperatures were rising all morning long. 

Must 'stop, drop & roll' snow angels at every opportunity along the outing :)

A perfect day with perfect partners. Let's celebrate with 'end of run' treats with retired mentor Zorro:

"Looks like you have enough for all of us!" says treat inspecting Zorro.
"Waiting our turn!" adds polite & mature Jack & Rudy!

Great day on a perfect Spring crust: 8.5 miles traveled with 800 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 22 MPH.

2021/2022 Season to Date: 141 days on the trails covering 1193.4 miles with 111,900 feet of elevation climbed.

Crust Sprints

Great morning to sprint along the solid Spring crust around Dry Lake Campground!

Perfect crust as I glide along behind fast running Jack & Rudy!

There is still about 40 inches of snowpack at Dry Lake and the temperatures have been perfect (warm days then cold nights) to create a great crust to support Jack, Rudy and myself on skis. Our outing found us alternating between open meadows and groves of trees.

Open meadow - wheeee! But, look out for the cluster of trees ahead!

Each time we exited a meadow into the trees, my partner slowed perfectly to gently guide me through!

Slow to a trot so the clumsy human doesn't hit a tree :)

As soon as we exited any tree grove into a new meadow, it was pedal to the metal!

Open meadow again. Floor it!

The crust was absolutely perfect to hold 42 lb Jack, 46 lb Rudy and me on skis. But, there is one thing a crust can never support... MOOSE!

"Sniff, sniff - moose was here!" says track inspecting Rudy.
"Yes, and the moose went THIS WAY!" declares Jack staring in the direction
his nose told him the moose went.

Despite Jack's suggestion, we did NOT follow the moose tracks the direction he proposed :)

Back to the trailhead for a fun 'end of run' treat photo with retired mentor Zorro. Dry Lake is the starting point for the snowcat tours that take people up Buffalo Pass for deep powder backcountry touring. While the snowcat tours are done for the season, the cats themselves are still waiting for the snow to melt before leaving the area. Fun to get our treats along with the cats! 

"Remember, me first!" says Zorro raising his hand.
"The cats may not be able to still go, but we can!" declares happy Jack & Rudy.

A fun day sprinting on the crust through open meadows and then weaving through trees between meadows: 6.8 miles traveled with 500 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 22 MPH.

2021/2022 Season to Date: 139 days on the trails covering 1176.5 miles with 110,300 feet of elevation climbed.

Wild Ride

Getting everyone's attention before dishing out the end of run treats this morning:

"I smell them in your hands - dish them out!" says intense Zorro.
"Ready!" adds happy Jack.
"Oh yeah, end of run treats - I'm in tune now!" says la-la-land Rudy who
is *finally* joining the group for the treats :)

We did a fast & fun sprint through the dense forest trails to start this morning with Zorro. It was a wild ride flying through the forest, whipping around corners, behind my powerful trio on fast packed trails!

Approaching a "left whip" in the trail as Zorro and Rudy are beginning their
"left lean" to whip around the bend.
Hang on human!

All smiles as we come out of another weave in the trail and find Nancy waiting on the side for us. Look at Power Rudy taking the lead as Jack is on the outside of the recent corner and Zorro is lining up to give mom a big smile.

Power Rudy in the lead!!!
Cool Jack just off the lead as he is on the outside of the recent corner.
"Hi Mom - having a blast!" adds happy Zorro.

Here we go for a glimpse of the wild ride whipping around the forest. I am flying behind the power trio trying my hardest to keep the skis in pace with their tight & fast cornering! Whew, what a workout for the human!

[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

As you see in the video, that is where we met up with Nancy to drop elder Zorro from the team and take the kids, Jack & Rudy, out for another spin around the mountains.

The kids and I turned around and climbed uphill fast to get to some pretty views up high:

Nice views of the snow covered Rockies to our right as we
fly northbound along the upper elevation trails.

The youngsters and I did an "out and back" on the upper elevation trails. So, here's the usual turnaround of an out & back :)

"You stopped, we roll!" demonstrates the goofy snow rolling twins.
Nice dual action from Rudy as he is rolling a snow angel while eating snowcones!

Rolling snow angels done and the kids are back upright. Going south now and more nice views from way up high:

The mountain tops you see are the tops of Peaks 7, 8, 9 and 10 of
Breckenridge Ski Resort.
Pretty views up high, pretty sled dogs down the middle :)

A great fast & fun day starting with Zorro weaving through the forest and ending with Jack & Rudy sprinting up high: 9.8 miles traveled with 900 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 22 MPH.

2019/2020 Season to Date: 134 days on the trails covering 912.3 miles with 83,000 feet of elevation climbed.

All Terrain

Celebrating another fun skijor with my sled dog pals :)

"I see the 'end of run' treats in your hands!" says super focused Zorro.
"I had a super fun day!" exclaims happy Jack.
"I'm the 'picture of patience' waiting my turn!' adds Rudy (haha).

We did an "all terrain" skijor with the all terrain youngsters, Jack & Rudy, before adding Zorro for a group finish for the day.

It has been a record February in Breckenridge with over 112 inches of snowfall for the month and 2 feet in just the past 2 days. What does that mean? Well, if you go to the lesser used backcountry trails you find endless powder! We started the day on one such lesser used trail and found ourselves breaking trail in up to 2 feet of powder for roughly 1 mile. What an aerobic mile!

Look at those powder plowing kids!
Love the deep snow troughs behind them as they break trail in 2 feet of snow.

After the trail breaking workout, we transitioned onto a narrow and heavily wooded trail. There were some snowshoe tracks already on the trail and the dense trees kept the trail less deep than our first leg. It was a peaceful glide weaving through the trees for about 2 miles.

So fun to weave through the forest with my pals.

Next, we exited the woods and landed on the freshly groomed trails of Gold Run Nordic Center. Jack & Rudy floored it for about 3 miles once we got onto this wide & easy terrain.

Zoom as my partners hover over the trail topping 22 MPH.

Today's video highlight is the groomie zoomie of the prior photo. Come along as we kick it into superdrive on the fast & groomed trail!

[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

Finally, we met up with Nancy & Zorro and hooked the fun elder into the team for a fast group sprint to the finish.

"Hi Mom!' says Rudy flashing a smile towards Nancy on the side of the trail.
"All smiles coming through!" says connected, smiling and forward focused Zorro & Jack.

What a fun all terrain day: breaking trail, weaving through trees and zooming on groomed trails: 6.1 miles traveled with 400 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 22 MPH.

2019/2020 Season to Date: 106 days on the trails covering 716.9 miles with 66,000 feet of elevation climbed.

Off Trail

Going "off trail" to lay fresh tracks on the endless spring crust for mile & miles - wheeee!

Laying fresh tracks over Dry Lake. Yes, skijoring over a frozen lake!

Today is probably our last time skijoring over a lake for the 2016/2017 season as we are entering a week with no snow and high temperatures in the forecast. So, we made the most of our last chance to skijor a lake. Wheeee!

Temperatures overnight dropped below 20 F and remained in the 20s all morning. We knew this meant the spring crust would be solid enough to hold our weight. We also had 3+ inches of new snow fall yesterday all over the terrain. The results of "low temps + new snow"? Well, we abandoned all set trails and found ourselves happily laying fresh tracks as we made our own path across frozen lakes, open meadows and groves of trees. What a fun outing!

Kicking up powder behind us as we lay fresh tracks atop the spring crust over an open meadow.

Tree skiing with Max & Zorro is so much fun. They politely keep the speeds to a jog or trot as they listen to my left/right/forward commands to weave us through the forest.

Trotting through the trees as we listen to all the mushers directions. Perfect!
Note the fox tracks going perpendicular to Max & Zorro as they ignore the tracks and
listen to my "forward" instructions. What partners!

Although some would think temperatures in the high teens/low 20s are chilly, some would not :)

"Oh man, soooo hot - must roll to cool off!" demonstrates silly snow rolling Max.

A beautiful day to abandon set trails and lay fresh tracks for miles & miles atop the spring crust: 9.4 miles traveled with 1000 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 22 MPH.

2016/2017 Season to Date: 125 days on the trails covering 1042.3 miles with 110,500 feet of elevation climbed.

Crust and Trees

Skijoring the Spring Crust from what looks like the Top of the World!

Love abandoning established trails and making our own path across the spring crust!

We started the morning at the Dry Lake Trailhead, a popular starting point for snowmobiling. After going up the main (and tracked up) snowmobile trail for about a mile, we decided to test the crust off the trail and into the forest. To our delight, the crust was strong enough to hold our weight. As a result, we abandoned the tracked up main trail and invented our own trail weaving through the forest and across open meadows. I had to be careful to leave big Xs in the snow with my poles to that we could find our way back :)

You know you have arrived as a "skijoring team" when you can ski the trees solely on voice command. Max & Zorro are such great sled dogs, they'll weave through the trees with me based on my calls of 'left', 'right', 'forward' and 'easy' (e.g., slow down). We skijored through many groups of tight trees on complete voice control. What a joy these two are!

"We're listening, tell us how you want to weave!" say my perfect skijor partners towing me
through tight trees.

While weaving through the trees is a blast, it is even more fun to hit an open meadow and floor it across the spring crust. Come along and watch as we encounter such an open meadow and put the pedal to the metal!

[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

Making your own trail - weaving through the trees and sprinting across meadows. Fun, right guys?

"You bet! Today was a BLAST!" say my ecstatic pair at our turnaround point of the morning.

Sprint the crust and weave the trees making our own path for 9.2 miles with 1100 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 21 MPH.

2016/2017 Season to Date: 117 days on the trails covering 977.8 miles with 103,900 feet of elevation climbed.