May 8, 2011
Notes From Joe: A Brief Summary of the 2011 Expedition
Hello from Two Rivers! It’s been a heck of a season on the Arctic Expedition but it’s good to be home. I’m looking forward to the birth of our new baby. Only about 2 months to go!
The 2011 expedition got off to a great start at the end of January. All of our 22 Alaskan malamute’s tails were waving good-bye to civilization.
February weather sure did slow us down. We had a total of 16 blizzard days with winds ranging from 40 to 70 mph, and windchills reaching colder than –90 degrees Fahrenheit.
You can’t do too much traveling when blizzards roll in one after another. You just have to wait them out.
This was Red’s first expedition. He had no idea what the hell hit him when the first hurricane-force wind blasted down the valley.
It made him appreciate the calm days with no wind, like this one when you can see the distant arctic horizon.
Finally, when the weather cleared the dogs got a chance to get out there and do their thing. This is a typical day of busting trail in a lot of fresh, deep, snow. My team did an incredible job this season. They broke trail all day long, day in and day out, in chest- to chin-deep snow.
Every evening they settled in for some well-deserved rest.
We saw a lot of amazing sundogs in the early morning hours.
And the scenery in the Brooks Range was phenomenal.
We’re already looking forward to heading back next season!
- Marilyn
Thank you very much for the terrific pictures. I really felt part of that beautiful landscape and the dogs are fantastic. You must have such a good time with them.
- http://arctic-stories.com Arctic Stories
Wow, that looks stunning!
- Carolyn Schlick
Incredible photos Joe, did you see any musk ox?
Carolyn
- http://e410.wordpress.com Just Run With It
Congrats and welcome back, Joe! Such great pictures 
Wow what a life you live!
- Josh
You are my Idol! I tell everyone about you, Congrats as well for the baby, Happy for you!
- http://sleddogadventures.com Kathy Lenniger
I love your photos, especially all of those smiling canine faces… and congrats on welcoming a little human one soon, it is love of the highest order.
- http://sartenada.wordpress.com sartenada
Terrific photos. The” scenery in the Brooks Range was phenomenal”, that I like very much. I was somehow similar then we have here beyond the Polar Circle during summer and now I mean sun.
