January
18-21, 2008 trip
full 
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Here to view a printable version
2nd trip added, March 13-16, 2008
Trip Price: $695
 Come
experience winter in the northwoods of Minnesota with the
very best ambassadors of snow and outdoor enthusiasts—Alaskan
Huskies! Dogsledding is an open invitation to wildness and
terrific fun. Our dogs are skilled veterans, patient
and well versed in working with “rookies.” They are friendly
and huggable and extremely well cared for (following trips,
many women declare they want to be reincarnated as one of
our sled dogs). Learn to harness the dogs; hitch them
to the gangline; and drive the team.
Your accommodations are cozy
and warm--a bunkhouse cabin nestled in the woods with comfy
beds and a warm woodstove. The Finnish sauna is right
down the trail, complete with aromatic pine and juniper
oils. We gather at the main cabin to eat delicious
meals, share stories of the day, or cozy up with one of
the retired sled dogs that lives inside (on the couch).
The beautiful northwoods trails are private and groomed
meticulously.
 Your
guides for this trip are long-time mushers and teachers
who love to share this incredible sport and way of life
with you. Kathleen Anderson has been running dogs
and teaching mushing for decades; Chris Heeter has been
mushing and teaching dogsledding also for decades, and recently
participated in her first 38 mile dogsled race.
Though you do not need any prior
dogsledding experience, know that the dogs are large
and strong, and will likely pull you rather hard and perhaps
knock you down a time or two in their enthusiasm to get
to the sled or give you a hug. Driving the sled requires
a little balance and a little upper body strength, but mostly
it takes an adventurous spirit. Women of many ages
and shapes and sizes have joined us and fallen in love with
dogsledding!
The Wild Institute carefully designs
trips that combine fun and adventure, with time to relax
and unwind. Many women choose our trips, in part,
out of a desire for some quiet reflection time, the camaraderie
of other wonderful women, and to connect with nature.
This trip combines the joy of romping in the snow with the
introspection of the hibernating season. Activities
include: dogsledding, ski-jouring, snowshoeing, cross-country
skiing; and plenty of time to simply relax and enjoy the
silence of the northwoods in the winter, or cozy up with
a book by the woodstove.
The details…
What to bring: When you register, you’ll receive
a detailed packing list, so you’ll be sure to have what
you need. We stay in a cozy cabin with a woodstove. You
bring only your personal gear, sleeping bag, and skis/snowshoes
(if you have them).
How in shape do I need to be:
Though many women use their trip as motivation to get in better shape before they go, no experience or particular level of fitness is necessary for this trip. The dogs are very enthusiastic, so it takes some strength to lead them to the sled. Driving the sled is mostly about leaning and balance. All other activities (skiing, snowshoeing, ski-jouring, etc.) are optional.
Weather: January in northern Minnesota is more variable than you might imagine. Past trips have experienced temperatures below zero and into the 20’s. Your packing list will help you be prepared for all occasions, with the warm cabin for eating, sleeping, and relaxing
Meals: Food and comfort matter! Play outside…eat a lot, one of the gifts of winter activities. Delicious, primarily vegetarian meals with canned and stored produce from the organic gardens.
What does my trip fee cover:
Your trip fee of $695 includes a cook, dogs, equipment, fabulous and hearty food, lodging, and guides with decades of experience.
Group size: Minimum
of 5, maximum of 10
Schedule: Arrive at 1:00 on Friday, January 18. We’ll get started by introducing you to the wonderful dogs. The rest of the trip will be filled with dogsledding, skiing, snowshoeing, taking sauna, eating fabulous meals, and relaxing by the woodstove. The trip ends on Monday, January 21 after lunch.
Location: The trip is located at Wintermoon in Brimson, outside of Two Harbors in northeastern Minnesota. It is Kathleen Anderson’s home, centered around her 35+ sled dogs and a beautiful Finnish homestead that she re-built. Nestled deep in the northwoods, with solar panels, hand pump, woodstoves, Finnish sauna, and a comfortable outhouse (no kidding), you will be a part of a much simpler, less complicated way of life.
Transportation: Brimson,
MN is about 200 miles north of Minneapolis/St. Paul. If
you are driving from the Twin Cities, plan on about a four
and a half hour drive. If you are flying, the closest airport
is in Duluth, MN (about 55 miles east of Brimson). When
you register, we’ll send more travel info as well as the
names of other women on the trip so you can carpool or coordinate
travel plans.
Payment information:
Your $200 deposit is not refundable. If you must cancel,
please do so in writing. If you cancel 90 days prior to
the trip or more, the balance of your trip fee is refundable;
60 to 89 days, the balance of your trip fee is transferable
to any other Wild Institute trip through the end of the
following year; 0-59 days, the trip fee is not refundable
or transferable. We strongly recommend that you purchase
travel insurance so that you can recover your losses should
you need to cancel or be evacuated from a trip. We recommend
either Travel Insured, 800-243-3174, or CSA Travel Protect,
800-348-9505. The Wild Institute reserves the right
to alter trip plans due to severe weather, water/snow conditions,
or other unforeseen circumstances.
How do I sign up: A
deposit of $200 holds your spot, and payment in full is
due by December 7, 2008. Mail deposit and registration form
to:
The WILD Institute
P.O. Box 353
Loretto, MN 55357
Click
Here to view and print registration form
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