14th February
I was diagnosed as asthmatic at five years old and I’ve never forgotten the relief being prescribed drugs to treat the condition. As a little boy, asthma had me gagging for breath and frightened me. Today I read online an article I’d written for the National Asthma Campaign's magazine before leaving England. I wrote it to encourage others to reach out and not hold back on their ambitions simply because they’re asthmatic.

Hansel sat and watched as I prepared the dogs' and my food.
 
I wrote an endorsement and emailed a digital picture for PadiPaws Cruft's press release. I've an appearance to make for them at the event in Birmingham, UK next month.
 
15th February
Alone I headed out from Inuvik and on to the Mackenzie with a dog team of eight to test some gear and give the four youngsters their first taste of a multi-day journey camped out on river ice. I left Sasha behind.
 
Team formation and their positions:
Pingo - Piper - leaders
Hansel - Timber - point
Kimik - Larvik, youngsters - team position
Denali - Hummer, youngsters - wheel position
My sled and lashed down gear, food and fuel.
 
The youngsters have all maintained voracious appetites. This at least indicates the new experience hasn't fazed them. Denali is the biggest and boldest. He encourages his buddy Larvik. They've learnt a lot over the last few days. Hummer is always a little reserved. He reminds me of a younger Timber. He just likes to be left alone and pull, hard. Kimik digs in with little fuss and loves to get his head down. Tonight they soon settled looking forward to their next adventure tomorrow.