Sled Dogs in Elk Country... make that Elknut country

[Indian Summer]

This is my niece Aiyana. She lives in Victor Montana and has been a sled dog musher for a long time now even though she's only 15. Last month she took 1st place at Montana's Race to the Sky. Last year my brother drove her and 20 dogs to Alaska where she placed 8th in her first ever crack at the Jr Iditarod. Her goal is to one day run the adult Iditarod. We're damn proud of her.

This weekend she's in Stanley Idaho, not far from the ElkNut headquarters. Race started today. Wish us luck please!

If anyone is interested have a look at her website. Her own personal endevor, Storm Blaze Kennels could always use a small donation too. Those darn dogs never seem to skip a meal! All 28 of them!

http://aiyanaferraromushing.com/

You go girl!!!!!!

[Lefty]

Way cool and a good reason to be proud.

[JohnFitzgerald]

That's cool Joe!

[ORelksniper]

Outstanding, Joe. No telling how far that girl is gonna go.

[Indian Summer]

She's an elk hunter too. No luck last year but her first, a huge cow, the year before. She's also an incredible artist. I'll dig up some pics to post.

[WapitiTalk1]

Absolutely awesome... Best of luck to the young lady!!

[JGH]

Very good! I'm sure you're proud, and I'm sure you've told her that, which is SO important.

A connection to the outdoors, and to animals as teammates is great. The one reason I like taking horses elk hunting is the same reason I like taking dogs pheasant hunting -- the teamwork with an animal. (OK, it's not the only reason ... carrying heavy weights is nice, too.)

It adds so much to life. A childhood spent with dogs is well-spent! If I understand the dogsledding world correctly, mushers themselves turn around 3 times before sitting down.

[Indian Summer]

There are lots of great life lessons to be learned in mushing. 28 dogs is a huge responsibility for a teenager. When racing mushers never eat or sit down until the dogs are fed and hay on the ground for the night. The dogs well being is above all else.

At the Jr Iditarod kids under 18 mush 150 miles and stay out on the trail 1 night with no contact with their parents or anyone on the outside world. We track her on a GPS module. Nasty winding hills, river crossings, the whole 9 yards. Last year it snowed more than ever in the 30 years of the event. 3 feet during the nite! Some kids dropped out. Some got lost. It's hair raising even from home. She chugged the whole way to the end and came through the gate with a huge smile. Pretty impressive.

The one pic below... 9 years old. First time with 8 dogs.

Look out Mitch Seavey!