Tromso Wilderness Centre - Dog Sledding

Tromso Villmarkssenter a great place for both summer and winter activities and a perfect location for Dogsledding

Take a ride with me and experience the bone shaking excitement!

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Yes Saturday was an exciting day for me as I had made contact with the Centre and told that they would be picking me up with another couple  from Maidenhead.  Just the three of us as normally they are pretty busy with large groups from the cruise ships. That suited us just fine! 

First we were taken to 'kit up' and the changing room had a huge selection of all weather suits, hats, mittens and boots. It seems when they have large groups from the ships they are provided with all the necessary clothing. Apart from an extra pair of mittens it was decided I was pretty well equipped in my pink parka and multiple layers!

It was amusing to see rows of boots, all labeled at the heel with a large L  or R. So leaving the warmth and comfort of the cabin we headed out to be greeted by excited dogs.

The Centre has over 240 dogs and each one has its own kennel out on the snow proudly displaying their name. The girls seemed to be able to identify every one and could recount the special personality quirks of each. All were happy to see folk and seemed anxious to be one of the chosen band to work that day. Great noise and excitement all around as harnessing started.

It was explained that the two front leading dogs are usually female because they always respond to commands. The power dogs are usually the final two, 

They decided to use the opportunity to exercise some of the dogs they plan to use in the forthcoming Arctic Huskie Race. So 3 sledges went out with an edge of competition. The young woman driving mine will be part of the team competing this  March. I sat under a pile of furs thinking it would be a nice gently ride. Boy was I in for an exciting bounce around. It took me back to my motor cycling days when it was needed to lean and move to counter the tilts on curves. I was pleased that I had waited that extra year for this experince as I needed every back muscle to work. It was truly exhilarating and the scenery stunning, especially when we topped a hill to see spread below us a partially frozen lake.

So much information and magical scenery to take on board but at this stage I was just hanging on tightly and hoping we would not spill! At times we stopped just to enjoy the scenery. The cold crisp blue light was very special . It also started to snow and somehow I preferred that to blue skies and sunshine. To me it was truly Nordic and everything I had imagined.

At the command the dogs turned and it became evident that we were now on the home stretch. They picked up speed and it reminded me of a pony ride when they are aware of going home. Even before we reached to top ridge we heard the welcome home from the dogs left behind.  

Back to base.. fuss the dogs. It is an important part to thank the dogs and they all loved the fuss and attention.

Hard to move away but as we walked back through the kennels we noticed great piles of food including sacks of salmon steaks. (no need for a freezer here!)  This is in preparation of the Arctic Race as they have to take all their provisions with them. It is worth mentioning this amazing event and I am hoping to put a link in the Blog to follow the Tromso teams in the 2010 event.  Each team can start with 14 dogs which are all chipped and registered. The team must finish with at least 6 dogs but those 6 must have been in the team at the beginning. Hence the chips to check.  The other dogs might well have been retired thro injury or tiredness.  They will pull for approx 200 kms per day and the race starts on 13th March and expected to finish on 30th. It is the longest competed  Huskie Race. 

Race Link follow the Tromso team check in/out each day Tove Sorensen and Tore Albrigtsen  Daily Progress

Now off to visit the new puppies. There were  large enclosed runs  set aside as maternity areas! We were fortunate to be there at a time when two new mums were prepared to display their babes. Maggie and I selected one each for attention and a cuddle. She put hers safely under her jacket where it was happy to snuggle down. They were such fun to watch that it was difficult to tear ourselves away but it was time for lunch and a warm up.

We entered the traditional Sami tent with a central blazing fire. The smell of the pine logs and the hot soup was intoxicating and we settled down to hear more about the life at the centre and their hopes and dreams for the forthcoming race. First we had the soup from the stew and curled our cold hands around the steaming hot mugs. Both Duncan and I suffered from cold camera trigger fingers as no way could we take our photos with the thick gloves on.

Then we had a plate of reindeer meat with chunky veg. (hearty food!) and follwed by some home baked cake.

All too soon it was time to be taken back to Tromso amid excited chatter in the vehicle. We all had more to look forward to and plenty of wonderful memories to look back on.

Got back to the apartment to thaw out a little and prepare for the evening trip out to see if I could catch the Northern lights.I was too late for the cable car so I contacted a guide who accepted to take me on a trip that night as long as I could get to the hotel pick up point and did not mind joining a group.  

So later that evening I slid off  in many directions! and eventually found the collecting place on time.  

 

Thanks for your visit ..Sylvia

27th February 2010