Friday 31th of January: lots of snow and wind and husky’s, an excellent day.

Aholansaari to Taivalkoski via Koa-husky: 592 km

Today we made a really aerly start because of the long route and the visit to Kota Husky today. So we got up at six, had breakfast at 6.30 and then got on the (ice)road at 7.00 hour.

This tim we took the left turn on the ice road so we could get of in the other side of the lake. Weather was getting colder, it was snowing and a bit windy, perfect weather for a winter raid.

Half of the teams were still sleeping.

Snow shovel

Getting colder outside

We had a wonderful tour that showed landscapes full of white. Their was not much traffic accept for an incidental snow shovel and truck. When a truck passes you you won’t see anything for seconds because of the swirling snow, so that can be a bit scary sometimes. You need to have a good look at the road and remember if ther will be a curve or not. Luckily the navigation makes it a bit easier.

There are not many tank stations so we filled up from the tin.

At precisely 13.00 hours we arrived at Kota Husky for the sledge tour, together with the other four teams that would go in the first trip. It was great to see Lauri again, and nice to see his little son in real for the first time. The trip with the huskies was great as always. It was colder and challenging for the dogs because of the lose snow. The wind had blown it back on the track and made snow dunes. We even has the sledge trip over because of a dune. Luckily we, nor the dogs got hurt. I just got cold and wet. But it was also fun as usual.

The first five teams.

Getting sledge driving lessons.

Ready to go

Save back home, thank you doggies

link to Kota Husky

After the ride we had a tour on the farm and warm drinks and some snacks in the kota. The second group was supposed to start the trail then but unfortunately non of the teams made it to Kota Husky. So they all missed out on this great experience.

We got back in our cars to go to the sleep over for this night, a sports hostel in Taivalkoski. It took some looking to find it, but we arrived well in time. No dinner in the hostel, but in the village was a pizzeria were most of the teams went. We decided to have some sausages in the hostel which we had left and get some rest. It was a long and exhausting, but beautiful day.

At 22:00 hours when everybody was back in the hostel we had the safe back drink. The drivers meeting will be tomorrow morning at breakfast at nine this time. Now it’s time to get some sleep.

Good night