The Pan-American Highway starts in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska and ends in Ushuaia, Argentina. 19,000 miles is the length of this highway, which is unpassable at many points. 14 is the number of countries that it passes through. 3 is the highway number that we took today, which is the end of the Pan-American highway. It took us to hike with a pack of huskies.
In the late 40’s President Peron began a discussion about working with North America to start a research base in Antarctica. One of the things they needed was a dog that could help with logistics. They bred a Siberian Husky, a Spitz and an Alaskan Malamute. This dog was named an Argentine Polar Dog.
These working dogs which were used at the Antarctic base were smart, tireless and friendly dogs. They worked until 1991, when it was decided that the dogs were not allowed because they were not a natural species of Antarctica.
The dogs, including a famous one named “Poncho” were brought to Ushuaia. The dogs did not do well and contracted viruses and the Polar dog breed died out.
The 71 huskies that we saw today are descendents of the Polar dogs. They are very active and ran around us as we hiked. Some wanted to be petted and even would lay on their backs for a belly rub. During the winter these dogs pull sleds and race. A team has gone to Alaska for the famous Ididarod race. Their handlers are very attached to the dogs and you can tell that they love and take very good care of these Huskies.
Further up the #3 highway is a look out over the Garbaldi Pass.
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