Warm Weather Preparation Checklist
1 - PLAY CLOTHES
Remember that scene in the Sound of Music where Maria makes play clothes for the Von Trapp kids out of curtains? Yeah, you're going to need those. Sled dogs are playful and rambunctious. You can expect lots of jumping, hugging and licking, so wear clothes that you don't care too much about.
Remember that scene in the Sound of Music where Maria makes play clothes for the Von Trapp kids out of curtains? Yeah, you're going to need those. Sled dogs are playful and rambunctious. You can expect lots of jumping, hugging and licking, so wear clothes that you don't care too much about.
2 - AVOID "DANGLIES"
Young dogs (especially puppies) are going to be attracted to anything you have on you that dangles -- long hair, scarves, necklaces, sweatshirt strings, camera straps, shoelaces... When you lean over to pet the dogs, the young ones will grab onto whatever "dangly" item they see, and the bigger the dog, the more damage they can cause. Try to limit how much you have hanging off of your body.
Young dogs (especially puppies) are going to be attracted to anything you have on you that dangles -- long hair, scarves, necklaces, sweatshirt strings, camera straps, shoelaces... When you lean over to pet the dogs, the young ones will grab onto whatever "dangly" item they see, and the bigger the dog, the more damage they can cause. Try to limit how much you have hanging off of your body.
3 - LAYERS
Dress in layers (or at least bring extra layers with you) in case the weather changes while you're here. Even in the middle of summer you may still consider wearing a long-sleeve shirt or long pants to protect your skin from mosquito bites, scratches from forest shrubbery ,or doggie toenails.
Dress in layers (or at least bring extra layers with you) in case the weather changes while you're here. Even in the middle of summer you may still consider wearing a long-sleeve shirt or long pants to protect your skin from mosquito bites, scratches from forest shrubbery ,or doggie toenails.
4 - PROPER FOOTWEAR
Alaskans primarily use rubber boots and hiking shoes in the outdoors. Your footwear should be durable, comfortable, close-toed and ideally waterproof.
Alaskans primarily use rubber boots and hiking shoes in the outdoors. Your footwear should be durable, comfortable, close-toed and ideally waterproof.
5 - BUGS BE-GONE
May, June and July are high-time for mosquitos in Alaska, and gnats can hang on into August. We like insect repellant with DEET when bugs are at their worst. Mosquito headnets can also be nice -- and cheap! They can be purchased at Fred Meyer or Wal Mart.
May, June and July are high-time for mosquitos in Alaska, and gnats can hang on into August. We like insect repellant with DEET when bugs are at their worst. Mosquito headnets can also be nice -- and cheap! They can be purchased at Fred Meyer or Wal Mart.
6 - GET CAMERA-READY
Make sure your camera / phone are fully charged before your tour, and leave plenty of space on the memory. Many people like to take video of the dogs before their run (they get SO excited!!!) but you'll need plenty of space to take pictures AND video... Also be sure you get to know your camera really well before your vacation. You don't want to miss those precious, fleeting moments because you are trying to adjust camera settings.
Make sure your camera / phone are fully charged before your tour, and leave plenty of space on the memory. Many people like to take video of the dogs before their run (they get SO excited!!!) but you'll need plenty of space to take pictures AND video... Also be sure you get to know your camera really well before your vacation. You don't want to miss those precious, fleeting moments because you are trying to adjust camera settings.