Tundra, an unpredictable captain

A man in musher's gear kneeling with his arms around a white, blue-eyed sled dog
Aaron Peck with his team captain, Tundra. (Lex Treinen/Alaska Public Media)

Alberta musher Aaron Peck has some contradictory things to say about Tundra, a 5-time Iditarod veteran and one of his main leaders.

β€œHe’s a leader, but I can’t have him in lead too much because he’s kind of unpredictable up there,” said Peck. 

The 8-year-old will occasionally swerve left at a fork in the trail, despite Peck’s calls of “gee.” Other times he’ll veer off suddenly, leading the team through deep snow, to get to a trail he thinks is better.

Still, Peck doesn’t resent him. 

β€œHe’s a beauty. Like, I owe him a lot,” he said. ”I’m just so grateful for his contribution over the last few years”

For that, Peck calls 55-pound Tundra the team captain. Peck, an 8-time Iditarod veteran, says he hopes that Tundra can help lead his team to Canada’s first ever Iditarod championship. 

Tundra is part of our β€œDog of the Day” Iditarod series. Previously we met Steve, who’s kind of a jerk,Β Viva, an unflappable navigator,Β Stealie, who loves hugs, andΒ ZekeΒ the rescue dog.

Lex Treinen is covering the 2023 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race for Alaska Public Media. Reach him at ltreinen@gmail.com.

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