Mushing Alaska, Meet Your Team!

Meet the dogs

Waiting for snow, the team takes a rest during an early season training run.

From the top,left to right, - Mello, Steel, Poncho, Gumpy, Charlie, Yakima, Cybil, Curly&Noodle, Kobuck, Monty, Freckle, Patsy, Bob, Noodle, Holly

Our team is a mix of wonderful personalities from different areas of Alaska.

The Leaders:
Yakima came from a village in the bush of Alaska. He’s an outgoing, enthusiastic, easy to handle dog. Yakima ran in the Yukon Quest in 1998.

Bob came from the well-known Quest and Iditarod kennel of Ramy Brooks. Bob is timid with people but is one eager leader. Bob ran the Iditarod in 2000. He’s always ‘tight’ into the harness. He puts fire in the team with his infinite enthusiasm. We kindly refer to him as, Bob the maniac.

Kobuk is from the village of Kotzebue, another bush community. Kobuk is a mature, honest dog, the epitome of the mushers’ term ‘honest dog’ which is a dog that gives 100 percent effort, 100 percent of the time.

Freckles is also from Kotzebue. She’s a sweet and pretty dog and loves to run in lead. She is a musher’s dream in that when the team stops, she lies right down and rests.

Mello was a gift from a Two Rivers musher. He was used primarily in adventure tours north of the Brooks Range. Mello is a strong solid leader who helps us train, as we develop new leaders. He’s happy and easy going.

The Team:
Steel is as his name implies, a hard working tough wheel dog. He’s strong as an ox, yet easy to handle. He came to us with his fellow team member Mello and share the same background.

Patsy has gorgeous kaleidoscope eyes and is a hard working honest dog. She's very timid with strangers, yet once in harness, gives you all her heart and soul. Her vocal eagerness is contagious and she sparks the team. Patsy is also a former village bush dog.

Noodle and Curly are siblings we refer to as the twins. They are full of love and energy always anxious to pull and willing to please. They are the youngest of our family. Noodles' loving affection has earned her the nickname of sweetheart. Both have a lot of potential and are leaders in training.

Poncho is another Yukon Quest veteran. He is an energetic and tough wheel dog. Charlie matches Ponchos’ drive and toughness. Both are very loving and personable. Perhaps the friendliest mushing dogs you will ever meet.

Holly is a real beauty. She’s got a lot of heart and a real free spirit. She’s shy with people and loves to flirt with the boys!

Monty is a true Husky. He’s our largest dog by far, 105 pounds of bubbly energy. He served a short stint as a member of the Collins twin’s dog team on Lake Minchumina.

Gumpy is from the kennels of Dr. Lanier, also a regular Iditarod musher. He is solid white, long and lanky, a Lanier trademark. He has excellent work ethics and a lot of power.

Cybil is a real cutie-pie. She has the classic husky look, yet petite in size. She’s a go-getter from the start! Her vocals and antics of leaping in the air while at harness inspires and energizes the team.

Meet the Mushers

Mike Ostler has lived in Alaska for the past sixteen years. He is a former Air Force Veterinary Technician. Donna Ostler has a background in Environmental Science. Both were introduced into mushing while helping a Ft. Yukon musher as dog handlers and mushers. Both have a wide array of Alaska experiences and are eager to share their outdoor adventures.

Salcha River Kennels
Salcha, Alaska
907-488-8207
Fax 907-488-8718

Contact Us
mro@gci.net