Whitehorse--Muktuk Kennels

Just a short drive north of Whitehorse, between the Alaska Highway and the Takhini River is the 103 acre parcel containing the Muktuk Kennels. The owner, Frank Turner, is longtime musher, running a 14 dog team in the Yukon Quest, a sled race from Whitehorse in the Yukon to Fairbanks in Alaska. 14 dogs, no replacements allowed, 8 stops for mandatory 2 hour rest, temperatures 30 below and less. Frank ran a team in 24 of the first 25 races. The one and only time he won, he set a record that held for 12 years.

Frank is an excellent team builder, his psychological approach to developing a unified team could well be employed in the human world. We all know people who could benefit from some time here!

We arrived in time to sign up for the 3 hour tour which started with a walk to the river with a guide and 8 of the dogs out for some exercise and swim. Everyone including the dogs of course had great time. We were allowed to interact with the dogs, our biggest danger being bowled over as they dashed around.

We then went indoors for a bit of refreshment and a film about the Yukon Quest, narrated by Frank, who was in the video himself and knew all the others! He is a very vibrant man, full of love for the dogs, the sport and the North in general. Frank then took us to show us a typical sled and harness. (top photo)

Following that was feeding time. What a racket that was. Over 100 dogs shouting for their dinner. (Imagine 100 excited Trekkers) Of course some dogs were just a little more hyped than others! Note the dog in the middle of the second photo. (Click to enlarge)

We were allowed, in fact encouraged to wander amongst the dogs at will—what fun. Some dogs were so excited to see each and every one of us, you would think they never got any attention at all. Others were “Oh hum, another tourist. You may scratch my ears”.

The dogs were all Alaskan Huskies, which are not purebred. To make an Alaskan Husky, start with a Siberian Husky (the ones with the blue eyes) and add one or more of the following: Collie, Pointer, Lab, Australian Shepherd, or anything else that strikes your fancy! They are looking for stamina, energy, the will (drive) to run.

Muktuk is completely off the grid using solar for hot water as well as solar electric power. They have a generator for back up. Once when investigating alternative power sources he came across 19th century plans for a "dog wheel" that was used to pump water. He built it and left it in a large dog run to see what the dogs would make of it. Most ignore it but quite a few learned how to get on and off on their own and some just love to run! We watched this fellow jump on and run several times. Frank never intended to use dog power and of course never did--but the dogs love it!

There is a BBQ of local meats at the end of the day, but we had not been aware of that option so had not signed up in time—maybe on our way back from Alaska!