The Rauland Race 2004 was the second race of its kind organized by the dogdriver club MUSH in Telemark. They had decided that this year’s race should be held on the Saturday before Palm Sunday. This is an open race and can be recommended for those who like beautiful scenery and dogdriving in the mountains. The trail is 50 kilometres long in a varied terrain with a beautiful view of the mountainous part of Telemark/the Hardangervidda Plateau, IF the weather is nice. The 4- and 6 dog class drive once around the trail, the 8 dog class do 2 rounds,- 100 kilometres.
The starting point of the race is set at Vierli Turistsenter between Rjukan and Rauland, where it’s possible to rent a cabin and which offers other activities for the whole family. From the start, the trail goes downhill through mountain birches for about 10 kilometres. The challenge along this part of the trail is to hold back a bit, if not you get punished in the next 10-12 kilometres with what can at best be described as a steady climb from about 800 metres above sea level to about 1200metres. Finally there, enjoy the view and the trip.
A special thing about the high mountain part of the race is that the only trailbreakers which are allowed are those on 4 legs! This is because this area is looked upon as a vulnerable part of the reindeers’ habitat. To keep the trail open teams are being driven here constantly in the days/weeks before the race. Quite a challenge.
Snowdrift made this year’s trail a challenge for those who mainly drive on hard and well-marked trails. After the high mountain part of the race the trail goes downhill towards Kråmviki at Møsvatn(about 900 metres above sea level). From there the trail continues on the ice for about 10 kilometres, before the last stretch towards Vierli. My team was the only pure bred team, and that’s a pity with such a great race.
Ulf
No. 1. 8 dog team Terje Svendsrud 04.50.45
No. 1. 6 dog team Bård Bergby 02.23.40
No. 1. 4 dog team Katja Petrell 02.37.15
As the only other 4 dog team our SH team came in second at 02.51.05.
