And to be more precise an Alaskan musher. Because if I remember right y’all living outside* get a lot more daylight this time of year. Today was exceptional in that we had temps ABOVE zero. So no problems with cold hands holding the camera, or sub zero temps freezing it. Brought the camera along to try and capture what a typical run for the race team looks like this time of year.
*For my non-Alaskan friends; up here we refer to pretty much anywhere that is not Alaska as outside.
“Are you going outside this winter?” = will you be taking a vacation somewhere.
“I don’t get outside much” = I don’t leave the state much
The mushers perspective, here being lit up by a Lupine Piko lamp mounted on the sled. One of Dan’s many talents is the ability to think up an idea, and make it a reality. Not like we are the first mushers to come up with the idea of mounting a light to a sled. But (if I may say so) Dan has created nice sturdy mounts for our sleds, that let us enjoy night mushing more. (and did I mention he builds the sleds too!)
You can see in the video how well the light illuminates the team, and this is not even the highest setting. But the best part; is that the light is always there constantly shinning out on the team. I can turn my neck to look up at the sliver of a moon or a wisp of Northern Lights, and all the while the team is running with a steady beam of light. I can stop and snack and always have a well lit area to feed and check booties. And the fact that it uses a rechargeable battery appeals to both the environmentalist and the miser in me.
Along with the video I also snapped some photos, and you can see them in the Night Run photo album. Of course there were some amazing moments that missed being caught by the lens. Like running at a flock of ptarmigan, wearing their winter white camouflage all settled in for the night. Faced with the impending doom of a charging dog team they all take flight and scatter in a flurry. Illuminated in the sled light, their white wings flapping, they looks like spirits flying off. Or the rather large wolf who crossed the trail in front of us about 7 miles into the run. Or the wisps of red and gold in the sky as the blue/black won the cosmic battle of day vs. night. All this; and it was just the training run for today on the trails behind our house.
Like so much of life, a run is what you make of it. Choose to see the beauty. Choose to appreciate the climate. Choose to feel empowered. There is a world of adventure right outside your door, if You Choose it.
