24 miles into the Delta, Margarita Day!

Minus 25°C and a clear morning with no wind – just beautiful! Down the river we go with me taking over from Rod and riding the sled most of the way today. Danger and Panda are my lead dogs, and Max and Zoot are wheel (closest to the sled). Buma, my lead dog last year, is in the team, along with Lyla, Amy and Teja. Zoot is rapidly becoming a favorite – pitch black coat with one blue eye and one brown, he just loves being cuddled. And after two days of enjoying the normal pats and chats, he now rolls over for a tummy scratch each time I stop to say hi – even when he’s hooked up to the sled!

It’s a short day today and we’re all fairly relaxed when we pull to the side of the river at our next camping spot. I’m waiting for the dogs to be untied, and perhaps being too relaxed, lose the sled as they pull forward unexpectedly. This is despite 2 hooks in the snow and my foot on the brake. Pandemonium for a short while but it all is under control fairly soon.

Suddenly the dogs are barking and looking behind us. A beautiful Arctic fox is standing about 100 meters away. It goes into the bushes and comes out again, much closer this time. And once more it goes into the bushes and comes out, even closer. Clearly curious, it is an absolutely magnificent animal.

The dogs are now all settled on their lines, we’ve pitched the tents, and it’s margarita time! Delicious – fresh limes and fresh snow. And we definitely deserve it!