News - Husky Sled Expedition
27th January 2009
Alison first contacted us in July with a unique request to do 'something a bit different and adventurous with huskies' in her endeavor to raise money for the Dogs Trust.
We put together a pretty challenging expedition involving a husky sledding expedition with an overnight in an igloo, a snowshoe up to a col and a paragliding descent back to civilisation!
Her friends thought the challenge was mad and work colleagues openly wondered whether Alison was going through a mid-life crisis!
But Alison with her determined attitude and huge enthusiasm and drive decided to go for it.
'I've never done anything like this before but it's a wonderful opportunity to raise money for the Dog's Trust. It's a cause I feel passionately about.'
The weekend Alison arrived, caught the tail end of probably one of the biggest snow dumps and blizzards we have had this year. It was so severe the ski resort was closed for three days due to avalanche hazards!
We crossed our fingers for the weather and postponed the challenge to the last two days of Alison's stay.
With a few adaptations, namely Alison and Philippe, the husky dog trainer, spending half a day and evening tracing the husky route on foot to break the snow up and a very welcome turn in the weather, Alison set off on Tuesday 27th January into the mountains.
With just Philippe and the dogs for company, no phone reception and temperatures of -15 to - 20 degrees centigrade, Alison's expedition was well and truly underway!
Alison's husband Paul and I waited the 48 hours with baited breath and were very relieved to see a smiling, very excited Alison return on Wednesday afternoon!
The expedition was a huge success, mainly down to Alison's enthusiasm and passion for the huskies and drive and ambition to make it happen.
Alison not only succeeded in completing the challenge but also in raising £2888 - just short of her target of £3000 for the Dog's Trust.
Well Done Alison from the team at Undiscovered Alps!
Find out more about the
Dogs Trust
If you would like to make a donation to Alison's cause, you can go directly to her
just giving site.
Alison's own description of the expedition....
'The whole experience was amazing, from Thomas and the Parapunte (I mean how many people can say they have touched a cloud), to eating cheese fondu and chocolate and sleeping in an igloo.
The scenery was amazing, the skies and stars spectacular, sunset, sunrise I have never seen a sky change colour so many times and so many stars, the photos don't really do it justice.
The experience with the huskies was something I will never forget, not just the sledding but Philippe took time to tell me about them, names, feeding etc., I helped feed them, harness them and got up in the morning to sit in the snow, admiring the beautiful sunrise with Shenwa's (don't know how you spell her name!) head in my lap, doesn't get much better than that.
The entire expedition was brilliant thanks to your personal touch and enthusiasm and Philippe's patience and kindness.'
