It's been snowing here for over a week following our first winter storm. Today I made it into the community to buy food. I bought a pin poppy and thought of my Great Uncle Jack. At 18 he was the youngest British Army Sergeant Major in World War One

A high of minus 17 ºC on Saxon’s birthday today, he issued death threats to anyone trying to give him the bumps. Daylight drops under seven hours. My Petzl Myo 3 Belt head torch powered with Energizer AA lithium is a great combination for cold weather activities.

I ran Thule with Bomber and Beef in the dark. A small team getting Thule fitter as she makes good turns.

While harnessing Bomber he jumped up, dragged his claws and ripped a gaping hole in my RAB down jacket. The wind caught the feathers. It looked as though I’d exploded. The jacket is a favourite, cherished and reliable. First time in harness for panda faced Blitz. He did the typical. Lots of tangles but paired alongside Piston, he has the best to learn from. Piston was patient. No fuss, head down pulling. Ran dogs for an hour and-a-half. They’ll rest tomorrow. Made up new neck, tug and mainline.

Great run. Thule made some good turns on Chuck Lake finding a way through overflow. She made it look easy. It’s been snowing for over a week. Saxon loved it.

I was up early writing before running dogs for two hours. I increased payload with filled barrels. They’re easy to handle, tolerate hard knocks and severe cold. 

My dogs set off aggressively during yesterday’s training run. The result was tree misses and hits. Today I took pleasure cutting down the tree that caught and bought my training sled to a dangerous halt yesterday. I jack-knifed over the sled and was winded something chronic.

A morning run with Thule, Saxon, Piston, Beef and Bomber went well. I continue my own training and knocked off an hour run before running all dogs for two hour night session pulling a 500-pound payload under a waxing moon.

Last night dipped to minus 22ºC and I let freeze a new batch of Ciba Vision DAILIES disposable contact lenses. Within an hour they thaw ready to wear.

A lynx with its characteristic tufted ears and bobtail crossed in front of me while I trained this morning. It looked at me and moved on.