Hypothermia is increased if you don’t keep hydrated. I’ve done a lot of winter sports/camping/XC skiing, snowshoeing, etc. Now I’m just living in the woods with livestock and I get as much of the outdoors as I can handle. {rolling eyes}
But I’ll tell you the most fun I had …it happened accidentally the first time. Week at a cabin on a frozen lake in MN. On the lake with THREE medium-size dogs…I’m on XC skis….and they see something they just have to chase! Rabbit, I think. Whoooooooeeeeeee! Best ever snow-over-flat-ice conditions and we were traveling! Understand that three leashes plus ski poles made for an eventual tumble. I was howling with laughter as we untangled. {I was at least 40 yrs younger, mind you, but I still enjoy a good adrenaline rush! }
We later modified that “dog skiing” sport to TWO dogs, NO ski poles, and one long rope between the dogs. You could play out some rope for the faster dog and pull back in when they switched lead. We got good at it. If they couldn’t be steered from splitting on both sides of a tree [yes, we did this on ungroomed trails after the lake experience] …well the skier just lets go of the rope and both dogs come to a halt. We got actual body harness for the dogs, rather than use their neck collars. It was a blast!
Never have been able to train the large dogs we’ve had now to actually pull a child’s sled. But I tie the sled to back of my belt and the dog IS trained to pull me walking. I hang onto her body harness…ski pole in other hand. Steeeeep mountain terrain….I need that assist! Carry the stuff for animal chores in the sled behind me. This is only when our vehicles aren’t running or the snow plow friend hasn’t arrived yet. But it would apply to post-stuff-hitting-fan too.
Actually, due to my weakness, dog and I use the same method all year ’round….including the sled. Granite gravel is hard on the plastic sleds but …I just buy more at garage sales, thrift stores. Only way I can reasonably move bales of hay too.
Mobility is a huge issue for me. If it’s not motorized or horseback, I’m not going to be participating very much.
OldMtWoman …running off to feed those critters that expect payback for their services!