Questions & Answers Week 12
Every week Team GoNorth! answers ten questions related to the module topic from student explorers -- so stay tuned and submit YOUR questions!
Typically the dogs do not sit or ride on the sled.
The exception is, if one of them gets hurt or isn't feeling well.
When this happens, we will put the dog on the sled to ride for a while until he or she is feeling better. At first, they don't like it because they have never done it before and they know their job is to be in front of the sled. After awhile they begin to enjoy it and they will even bark orders at the other dogs when Paul and Mille give directions.
Do the dogs ever get to sit on the sled? If so, how often?
Marisa
Conestoga
3rd Grade
Conestoga PA
We like all the dogs too!
The dogs are like family to us. They are our very best friends. We know them from the day they are born to the day they pass and we spent almost everyday of their lives with them. We go our on expeditions together having incredible experiences with them, that they make possible! It would be impossible to pick a favorite.
What are your favorite dogs? Why do you like those dogs. I like all of the dogs!
Michaela
Conestoga elm.
Third Grade
Conestoga PA
This is a great question!
The Boy Dogs: Lipton and Baffin are the biggest dogs in the kennel. You might think that this would mean they are the strongest. While Lipton is very muscular and has incredible strength, he is rather lazy. Baffin on the other hand, is only 2.5 years old... he not only has huge muscle mass, but an incredible work ethic. He is happiest when he is hard at work and will pull and pull and pull until the job is done.
The Girl Dogs: Rubi not only runs in many positions within the team, but she is remarkably strong for her size. Sable is without a doubt, the strongest female. She is very gentle and will stop at nothing to please her musher. Even though Lipton outweighs her by about 50 pounds, she can pull as much as he does and will scold him for being lazy.
What do you think is the strongest dog? What is your opinion on my question?
Leah
Conestoga Elemantary
third Grade
Conestoga PA,
The temperatures on this trip have not been that cold. It has typically been in the teens and twenties. There have been days of incredible wind that have given us low windchills. All in all, the temperate and weather have been the mildest of many tips.
The temperature on any expedition was -63F.
The coldest windchill Paul and Mille have experienced was on an expedition in 2001. In a stom with 65-75 miles an hour winds and minus 40 F. That is actually off the windchill chart...but it is something like - 90 to -100 F!
What was the lowest temperature that you have had on this expedition? How did you feel? What was the coldest temperature on any expedition?
Megan
Conestoga elm.
third Grade
Conestoga Pa.
Great Question!
Last September when it began to get a little cooler, we began doing training runs with the dogs. Because of the season there wasn't any snow, so we couldn't use a sled... so we used a 4-wheeler!
The dogs were put into their harnesses, attached to the main line, which was then connected to the 4-wheeler. We put the 4-wheeler into Neutral and the dogs pulled us. As it got cooler, we are able to go further and further.
In early December, we moved all our gear and all the dogs to Grand Marais, MN. They had snow in Grand Marais so it was slightly closer to the conditions that we would experience on the trail. Once there was enough snow on the ground we were able to switch from the 4-wheeler to a sled. All the while, increasing the distance we would run to help the dogs increase their endurance.
How do you train the dogs for this expedition?
Chloe
Hambright
5 Grade
Pennsylvania
