David Beck is Back On the Husky Express in Hope Valley

As soon as the snow started to fly in Hope Valley, David Beck had the feeling that the short-lived "retirement" lifestyle he had been tolerating was going to be over very soon if he could have his way. He had the feeling that all he needed was to recover a little bit from his new knee replacement, and soon he could be out again mushing behind a full set of huskies on the snowy trails of Hope Valley.

So, as he finished up his last few visits with rehab nursing his new knee along, it felt pretty good, and he was definitely getting that old wanderlust feeling again! After all, an icon of backcountry skiing adventure doesn't give up very easily!

If anybody is known as an icon of backcountry skiing, it’s David Beck! Known worldwide as the first skier to traverse the Sierra High Route in it’s entirety during winter in 1975, David's crowning achievement has long since inspired many other skiers to attempt crossing the subtle line of the route's "linking high passes" and "long contours around huge snow filled bowls" as well. Starting in the low desert of the Eastern Sierra and crossing some of the more rugged parts of the Sierra Nevada, the Sierra High Route remains a challenge and an achievement sought by the best of backcountry skiers. Often compared to the famous "Haute Route" of the European Alps or Colorado’s Tenth Mountain Trail, this is a true extended wilderness ski tour, with no huts, few other people and no nearby roads.

David's lifetime full of achievements include his Bachelor of Science in Conservation of Natural Resources in 1972, working as an avalanche consultant, teaching at UC Berkeley, the National Avalanche School, Lake Tahoe Community College, and Western Nevada Community College (to name a few), directing ski schools and authoring the quintessential book Ski Touring in California
But, it was a pack of dogs that brought David back out of retirement! Over 3 decades ago, David started Husky Express and Sierra Ski Touring with the love of his life, Dottie Dennis, and their pack of Huskies. The couple lives on acreage in Gardnerville, Nev., and operates their dog sledding business in Hope Valley under a special permit from the United States Forest Service, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, the Humboldt Toiyabe National Forest, the Inyo National Forest and the Sequoia National Park.

The dog sledding is easily accessible to folks who come out to enjoy an hour long tour with David and Dottie, just half-an-hour south of Lake Tahoe on Highway 88. There stands the vast, uncluttered valley, "Hope Valley has remained unchanged since Snowshoe Thompson skied it in the 1850's. It's a good place for a dog sled ride since it's a bit reminiscent of the Alaska interior," according to the Sierra Ski Touring website.

Preparation for the Sled Dog Season is a year-long commitment, so David and Dottie spend many hours getting the teams trained and conditioned using a three wheeled cart over dirt roads until there enough snow in Hope Valley to start the tours.

When David decided to get back in business, he said Dottie had to get a little accustomed to the idea, but was soon out there with the dogs and their grandson, preparing him for an upcoming kiddie's sled dog race! Then, he called up his web developer and said, "Crank up the web site again! Get us back online and back in business," and this writer was excited to get SierraSkiTouring.com online so that folks would again be able to join 30-year veteran mushers David Beck and Dotty Dennis and their dogs for an exciting and memorable winter adventure. Sled Dog tours last about an hour and the dogs can usually mush with two adult size people and one or two small children in the sled. Box trail lunch can be provided with advance notice.

Now that sled dog season has arrived, David was as right as the fresh fallen snow, and he, the dogs, the sled and wife and longtime business partner Dottie Dennis are happy to be back in action as Husky Express. David said his philosophy is that a person might have arthritis, knee replacement, or whatever, and, "You are going to have it anyway, so you may as well be out there enjoying the dogs and the outdoors."

You can find out more about David Beck, Dottie Dennis and Husky Express on their website www.SierraSkiTouring.com or by calling (775) 782-3047. Mush!