Early in the day we climb down a canyon that towers over the Inman River. After crossing the river and climbing the canyon’s other side Pingo turns and gets dangerously close to the edge. He frightens me when he does this and I tell him off like a dad would a child he loves dearly.

6°C. Another hard day with the pack. Grey all day, only interest was seeing a pair of beautiful snowy owls. Plump and perched on a rock they eyed us up as we passed and took off in front with minimal effort skimming the tundra for something to snag with those massive beaks.
 

I camped alongside a lake where geese have spent the entire summer to rest, lay, hatch and rear their broods. Scant tundra grass tussocks have been pulled and lay in rows. Over the summer this has dried and now provides me hay like bedding to make deep snug nests for Pingo and Hansel, be it for only one night.
 

During long bouts of fatigue it would be all too easy to ignore hygiene. I don’t. I keep clean-shaven, check myself over and tend to cuts and scrapes. With so many river and creek crossings my feet are perpetually wet during the day.
 

At night I dry my feet, douse them with medicated zinc oxide powder and change into night dry Horizon socks. These socks I keep in an Outdoor Design dry bag. My nether regions get the zinc oxide treatment too. At night I let the dogs feed then run my hands over them to check them over for any problems. This usually ends with me giving them both a massage. This they adore. The tundra has been very gentle on their feet.

The first aid kit I carry for the dogs is comprehensive, light and was put together by Ruff Wear. This US company also manufactured my dog packs. These packs have been faultless throughout the journey. My own first aid kit was selected from safety in the workplace experts Seton.