Winter Wonderland

Winter Wonder

by Kaila Mank ‘21

The definition of a risk is putting yourself or others in some sort of danger, that is not the only definition. It can also mean doing something you've never done before or trying something that you may once have said 'no' to. A risk is an opportunity for growth through experiential learning. If you're given a chance, take it. You may never be given the same chance again.

Last November I was introduced to the idea of dog sledding. My first instinct was to say “Yes” and to sign on. But then I learned more about the risks and challenges I would be taking. I began to become skeptical about the whole idea. Knowing myself, I knew I might talk myself out of the opportunity. So I thought, “Just go for it. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity.” I did it!

Getting ready to go on the trip, we did a crosscountry ski run because about half the group had never done this before. What an experience! But we had fun doing it.

About a week later we got on busses and headed out to join Mahoosuc Guide Services. On our arrival, we met our two guides, Polly and Kevin, who own the guide-service. Our first day was too warm to take the dogs out on the lake, so we decided to go snowshoeing, knowing that overnight everything would freeze again. Before we began snowshoeing, we met the dogs – the most amazing dogs I have ever met with creative names like Jiminy Cricket and Olga.

On our snowshoeing adventure, we all dressed heavily. Within the first five minutes we had all stripped a layer or two. Now, you would think that by getting too hot the first day, we would have dressed lighter on the second day. But we didn’t learn.

On our next day, the guides split us into two groups, Polly’s and Kevin’s. I was in Polly’s group along with seven others. These groups were then divided into two more groups: people who would ski and people who would mush (dog-sled). I was in the skiing group. We all started with Kevin’s group. Then, after about a mile and a half, we split into different groups. Within the first minutes skiing, there was a downhill slope. Every single one of us fell. From then on, we knew that this was going to be an experiment. There were ups and downs, but I can’t name one person who didn’t have fun.

When we arrived at Polly’s camp, the mushers had beaten us and had started working. They had already gotten the dogs protected with a tarp over them, and the dogs had found a water hole in the lake. My group’s task was to find dead trees to cut up for firewood. Two people went to do that. While two people sawed trees, we fed the dogs and gave them water, and anyone who was free set up tents. After chores were completed, we gathered in the cook’s tent to get ready for dinner, all the while listening to the dogs howl to each other from different camps.

After an amazing mac ‘n cheese with sausage, we bundled up and headed to the campfire. Standing around telling jokes, we enjoyed the peaceful stars and quiet breeze as we looked across the empty lake. Then, resting in our tents, feeling the warmth of the fire on our faces, we slipped into our sleeping bags. The night seemed to creep, little by little, into our tents, and we snuggled together like penguins for warmth.

As the sun rose, the dogs’ howling woke us, and we started our morning chores.

Feed dogs, fetch water, cook breakfast. Get ready for the day, pack lunches, pack tents. Gear up, bundle up. Skiers off. Unleash dogs. Attach them to the nearest sleigh. Gear up, bundle up. Two sets of mushers off. I am on the mushing team. My partner and I take turns with Polly to stream the dogs as we watch the scenery.

After our last lap, we stood in a circle describing our trip. Amazing, unique, breathtaking, outstanding.

There were new friendships as well. I had never talked to some people before that trip – or, if I had, it was only a “Hi” now and then. Now these are people that I talk to every day.

If someone ever asks you to take a risk, take it, because you may never get another opportunity quite like it. •

Dog Sled Zen

by Peyton Spurr ‘19

For someone who loves the sound of a fan at night, the hug of a comforter, and a nice hot shower, dog sledding was out of my comfort zone.

My fan turned into the whispers of the wind, my comforter turned into my sleeping bag.

Instead of water, hot air from the wood stove bathed me.

Spontaneous as I am, saying “Yes” to dogsledding was a risk – a risk I took.

The instructors, Kevin and Polly, are two of the nicest humans I know. They were patient with all of us and answered every question.

They let us take charge even when we weren’t sure what we were doing so we could learn and grow.

I did not know what to expect.

Studying for dog sledding is not as easy as studying for my statistics class. •