Balmy spell nixes Haines Junction sled-dog races

Last Updated: Thursday, February 21, 2008 | 5:00 PM CT
CBC News

Unusually warm temperatures have forced the cancellation of some sled-dog races set for next weekend in Haines Junction, Yukon.

The 12th annual Silver Sled and Chili Paw races, which are part of the Kluane Winterfest, were cancelled because current trail conditions are not safe enough for dog teams or mushers.

"We've had very strong winds and a lot of sunshine and very, very warm temperatures," organizing committee president Richard Anderson told CBC News on Thursday.

"It was above zero when I left home this morning and almost starting to rain."

The mercury hit 2 C in Haines Junction Thursday afternoon, and temperatures over the last 24 hours ranged from 4 C in the day to -4 C overnight.

Normal daily temperatures for this time of year in the area are -6 C in the day and -19 C at night.

Anderson said that although the races were not until March 1 and 2, he does not hold much hope that trail conditions will improve enough to hold the race, even if the weather changes.

"The bottom line is dog safety and dog care," he said. "That's our reputation, and we don't want to jeopardize it"

The Silver Sled is a two-day 100-mile race between Haines Junction and Silver City, Yukon. The Chili Paw race is a scaled-down event, with teams running 40 miles over two days in Haines Junction.

About 20 teams were expected to race next weekend, but Anderson said they will just have to wait until next year.

Organizers are still going ahead with a carnival and bluegrass music festival scheduled for March 8. The festival will include skijoring and shorter-distance dog-mushing events, Anderson said.

"That's still feasible to do because we can route that through some trail that go through the bush, where the snow's still protected," he said.