By Jane Peters

There is no other adventure like the Yukon Quest. From the city of Whitehorse in the Yukon, Canada to Fairbanks Alaska, USA this cross-border race runs 1,000 miles over some of the world’s most spectacular and pristine terrain during the depths of the Arctic winter. Mushers and teams of dogs make their way on routes made famous over a century ago during the famous Klondike Gold Rush.The trail follows old trade, mail and trapping routes. There are four major summits to go over. Since the first race in 1984 , the Yukon Quest celebrates the era when dog sled travel was the best way to cover long distances in winter.

The Quest is dedicated to excellence in canine care. The route runs on frozen rivers, climbs four mountain ranges and passes through isolated, northern villages. With temperatures hitting 40 below, 100 mile-an-hour winds and open water life in the north is a matter of endurance. Teams set out with 14 dogs, one musher and a loaded sled. Mushers can only re-supply at 10 checkpoints along the route. The fastest team becomes Yukon Quest Champion, however all the dogs and mushers are heroes.

On the trail of the Quest, a dog can burn as many as 10,000 calories in one day. Mushers prepare specialized diets of proteins, fats vitamins and minerals. Dogs may wear booties to protect their feet from the ice.

When most folk head south this time of the year for a warmer climate, the Peters Family from Lac La Hache, headed north on a cold snowy morning in February, together with their team of 12 Siberian huskies to experience winter camping to the extreme and also to follow the toughest sled dog race in the world.

Rainer, Jane and their son Max drove HWY 97 North taking the Alaskan HWY to Whitehorse. Over 5 days they passed only a few other vehicles bearing in the same direction as them, the extensive solitary stretch of road was occupied with wild bison, caribou, elk, moose, and the sporadic timber wolf and cougar existing on an ill-fated animal by the roadside.

The family learned how to deal with snow blizzards while making camp for the night in sub zero temperatures . The main priority throughout the whole journey were the dogs. First they had to be ‘dropped’ a mushers term for letting the dogs out of their dog boxes. Snow had to be boiled using methanol fuel in a special 5 gallon metal pail with air holes. Once the dogs had been fed with a warm meal, Jane would start to prepare food for themselves. Water, later referred to as ‘Nectar of the Gods’ was used similar to expensive wine. Good drinking water had to be kept in containers. The most essential items while camping during the winter is heat, good sleeping bags, warm clothing plus a respectable sense of humour. At times this was challenging.

Arriving in Whitehorse the Peters were given a warm welcome. Everyone had suggestions on where to run the dogs, swimming pools with sauna together with a much needed hot shower, and of course meeting with some of the mushers for the 2007 race.

Frank Turner who has run the Quest for the past 20 years recommended to Rainer that he should run the dogs from behind Boston Pizza in the centre of Downtown Whitehorse,( Hmm, imagine running from downtown Kamloops???? ) it turned out that this was part of the official Yukon Quest trail. This is exactly what he did. 12 screaming Siberians exploding with energy who love to run made the first part of this amazing race. They ran 100 miles into the first checkpoint. Running on the Yukon river and later onto the TahkiniRiver, open water just a few feet away, the rush was on the adrenaline was pumping this is what it was all about. Rainer was captivated.

Look out for him at the Yukon Quest 300 in 2008!!

Every year, hundreds of volunteers come together to make the Yukon Quest possible. Jane and Max contributed their time to assist with the race at the start line. 28 dog teams, packed with equipment , the thrill was incredible , the crowds cheered as each team left the start line 3, 2 1 GO……..

Once all the teams had left they traveled further north to the home of the biggest cinnamon buns in the world, Braeburn lodge, camp was set up in the parking lot to await the arrival of the first teams. The coldest night of the journey was here, at a chilling minus 44 degrees, the wind bit into the skin like needles, it was hard to breath, frostbite was nearby. The aurora borealis was to be regarded with extensive feeling.

The time had come to turn the camper and dog trailer due South. The return trip to BC was full of exhilarating memory exchanges regarding their expedition. Camping at Muncho Lake, the sounds of wolves serenading in the distance was nostalgic to the ears. Four days later the hustle and bustle of Williams Lake was before them. It was a balmy minus 12 in the Cariboo, they were almost home and what was that faint scent?? Perhaps the start of Spring in the air??

Rainer and Jane together with their sons Stephan and Max are the owners of the ‘SNOSIBE RANCH’ and ‘SNOSIBE SLED DOG KENNEL’ on Helena Lake Road, situated just half an hour from 100 mile house BC. They are also the founders of the BC Sled Dog Association. As of 2008 you will be able to visit their kennels, hike or bike on their sprawling 300 acre property, Walk-A-Husky, Guided ATV tours. There will be the possibility to leave dogs in a separate kennel if you need to ‘get away’, mid distant training trails and much more. During the winter months they will be offering occasional, exclusive, non- commercial sled dog tours on a circuit of 200 kilometers and that, just a stones throw away from 100 Mile House.

If you would like to learn more about winter camping, visit there site at: Fir Crest Resort