Driving dogs is only one part of the experience. While being on trip we stay in cabins without running water or electricity. Things like having a shower, sitting in a warm place ore drinking a cup of tea have to be "earned" first...
First thing to do after the dogs are put to their over night places is usaly getting water and making fire. Waterplaces are either wells that dont freeze very much or then a whole in the lake that has been covered by a insulationboard. Dogs will need about 100 liter of water and another 50-100 liter we'll use in kitchen and in sauna.
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| Getting water from the well in Juutilainen |
There are several fires to be lit, two in sauna (one to heat the sauna and one to heat the sauna) 1-2 in the cabin. If we are lucky, there has been another group leaving the cabin in the morning so there will be some warmth left. ( unless some members leave the doors open while getting everything to the cabin... in -30 its only a question of minutes to loose whatever warmth was left)
Loads of wood are going to be burned during the evening, but at some point we'll be sitting there in a nice and warm cabin.
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| Cutting the meat with "ladypower" |
Other things to do are cutting the meat for the dogs in small peaces, feed the dogs, give them some straw for the night,..
In between there is always time for a good cup of tea/coffee and something to eat.
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| Almost ready to give soup |
Evenings passe quickly with sauna, food and good company.
