Location: Fairbanks, Alaska
Occupation:
Spill Prevention and Response at Alaska Dept of Environmental Conservation
Next Race: Helping Justin and our Jr mushers, and playing with the recreational dogs!
This is a the Q & A from Kailyn Olnes who operate ReRun Kennel outside of Fairbanks, Alaska with her husband Justin. We recently had them on the Mushing podcast and here is a deeper dive to learn a bit more about her!
Kobuk 440
Brooks Range – hoping to do a dog-supported caribou hunt there soon!
porcupines that try and take on the whole dog team single-handedly – and win.
family – 2-legged and 4.
It’s not always about making the right decision; it’s about making the decision right.
Homemade
On Copper Basin 300 a few years ago, my back hurt from standing on the sled. The dogs were chugging up the pipeline hill with ease, so I decided to sit on top my sled bag. Shortly after, we crested the hill and shot down the other side which was somewhat plowed. I couldn’t slow down or throw my hook, and I knew there was a 90 degree turn coming up, so I had to wrap my arm around the stanchion and launch over the side.
My back hurt more after the above incident
financing it and taking time off work
Mushing isn’t as much of a sport as it is a problem solving activity. You never know what you’re going to come across, so keep an open mind and learn to MacGyver things!
sleep
Iditarod 2022, especially the blowhole outside Nome. The wind was ripping so hard it was tossing my sled in midair with me on it. I had to crawl on my knees walking my hands up the gangline, but somehow the dogs seemed unaffected and got more stoked the worse it got.
Moose and snowmachines!
My mom’s spaghetti squash and bean soup. I ate some in Ruby on Iditarod and will never forget how good it was especially in that exact moment.
Solitude, adventure, and bonding with the dogs through it all.
forget to hydrate well on the trail – wild hallucinations!
