We started our three-day trip just after a heavy blizzard. Every mile of so, we had to stop to clear the trail of fallen trees. We all pushed the sleds up the hills, with one of us breaking trail for the dogs.
Allison and I are both wearing polypropylene long underwear, with Gore-Tex. rainpants on top. This makes a warm combination which is windproof and waterproof, but still light, and allows us to perspire without getting wet. Topside, we're wearing woolen shirts, a sweater each, and Gore-Tex rainjackets as the outer layer. We find the various layers come on and off as the level of exercise varies, and we are never uncomfortable.
We both have warm, waterproof boots, and carry another pair to wear inside the tent.
With all the snow that had fallen in the days before the trip, turning into the bush was like entering a "snow jungle". The most awesome sight was the 'snow caves', where the snow-laden branches actually hung right down over the trail. We had to duck under the handle of the sled, and look between the handle and the top of the tarp, in order to see! The dogs had it easier, as they could pass under the branches with no problem.
Chocpaw retains several camps, located on Crown land at selected distances from South River. Tents are permanently set up, stoves installed, and firewood cut and ready. While you can experience the basics of sledding on a half day outing, it takes a camping trip of several days' duration to really feel you're far from civilization.
Once we fired up the stoves and laid out our sleeping gear, we changed out of our trail clothes. The tents were almost too warm, and we could sit around in t-shirts and jeans.
We fed the dogs once a day, in the evening. It was so funny! The guide came up with a pail of mash, and every dog started to howl. As the guide went down the line, filling each dog's dish, that dog stopped howling, until they were all eating. When each dog finished, he'd start howling again, and the guide would repeat the process.
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