Pulling with all their Heart

Filmed with an Apple XR camera; editing software was DaVinci Resolve Studio 20, version 20.3.2, build 9. Unfortunately my camera died soon after this trip on account of battery issues. This video was filmed May 5, 2026 while on a dog sled tour with Gold Rush Dog Tours, LLC. The 2 hour tour was booked for a total cost of $309.97/person ($Cdn) through Holland America prior to embarkation of our ship in Vancouver, BC. Our ship for the 14 day cruise was the MS Nieuw Amsterdam sailing May 3 - 14, 2026. After being picked up at the dock, we travelled up an old mining road past the Alaska-Gatineau Mine, officially closed June 3, 1921, until we arrived in Sheep Creek Valley. Although there is no snow at lower elevations, the valley still shows signs of snow on the mountainsides. This is actually to the dog's advantage since they can overheat when they train with the wheeled carts. We noticed the dogs cooling off in glacial runoff after they had pulled us. There was a bit of a display as well as question and answer period showing the equipment and history of dog sled racing. What surprised me personally was how enthusiastic the dogs were at pulling us. The dogs are housed in separate accommodations from one another to avoid fights and unwanted aggression. I am sure there are many people who think it cruel to have dogs harnessed to pull humans. Dog sleds are part of the culture amongst indigenous groups in Northern Canada, Greenland, Alaska and Siberia. They have used dog sleds for hunting, hauling goods as well as people and racing for thousands of years. From what I saw, the dogs are well cared for and enjoy the exercise. My views may not be welcome by some people but they are entitled to their opinion just as I am entitled to mine. The barking was quite something at times. For those who may not enjoy barking canines, you have been forewarned!!!