What they don’t see is everything behind it.

In this episode of the Team & Trail Podcast, we sit down with Keela McCleneghan from Sunshine and Photo, whose work lives at the intersection of dog mushing, overlanding, and storytelling. Her perspective goes beyond photography. It is about awareness, positioning, and making real-time decisions when conditions shift and nothing goes according to plan.

We talk about what it takes to capture high-speed sled dog teams, how environment shapes creative decisions, and why the difference between average and exceptional often comes down to how well you read the moment in front of you.

This conversation is for anyone operating in environments where there is no script, on the trail, in the field, or in leadership.

We chat about everything from layering systems for unpredictable weather to shelter options like rooftop tents and alternative setups such as pop-up camp cubes. Cooper shares practical insights from his experience running Alaska Off-Road Expeditions and working in the off-road industry, including which gear actually performs well in the field.

The episode also explores modern overlanding technology, including portable power systems, solar panels, and Starlink satellite internet for remote travel. Robert and Cooper also discuss traction boards, recovery gear choices, and how brand reputation in the off-road world doesn’t always equal the best performance.

The conversation covers the fundamentals of safe winching, the proper use of kinetic ropes and recovery straps, and the importance of assessing the situation before attempting a pull. Cooper also shares a dramatic story of assisting a stranded truck near the Canadian border in extreme sub-zero temperatures, highlighting how quickly things can go wrong in remote environments.

Along the way, they discuss the differences between Jeep and Toyota off-road rigs, the importance of gear maintenance in Alaska’s brutal winters, and the must-have recovery tools every overlander should carry. Whether you are new to off-roading or a seasoned trail driver, this episode offers practical advice and real experience from the Alaska backcountry.

In this kickoff episode of the new Team & Trail expedition series, Robert Forto is joined by Cooper DeDycker, owner of Alaska Off-Road Expedition and works at Trail Toyz, off-road specialists, to break down what it really takes to explore Alaska safely and confidently.

They cover:

• How to plan multi-day Jeep routes using Gaia GPS and OnX Offroad

• Public land access and what off-roaders get wrong about boundaries

• Legendary Alaska trails like Knik Glacier, Hatcher Pass, and Eureka

• The real cost of vehicle recovery in remote terrain

• Seasonal challenges unique to Alaska

• Must-have off-road mods (winch, lockers, tire size recommendations)

• Emergency gear every Alaskan overlander should carry

• The truth about budgeting for expedition travel

Whether you're a weekend warrior with a Tacoma or planning a once-in-a-lifetime Alaska adventure, this episode lays the groundwork.

Alaska is the last frontier. But it demands preparation.

You’ll hear about the waterfalls of Valdez, glacier views along the Glenn Highway, Fourth of July celebrations in McCarthy, the raw history of the abandoned Kennecott Mine, and the small-town magic of late-night music and a community play staged inside a bar. From fat-bike rides to meeting young mushers building their kennel on the edge of the park, this is Alaska storytelling at its best.

Stick around until the end for details on how to access our members-only bonus feed, packed with trip reports, lectures, and raw training runs. Learn more at teamandtrail.com

Why a Nonprofit

Outdoor media, especially niche print storytelling, can’t survive on advertising alone. The Team & Trail Foundation was created to protect the legacy of mushing culture while expanding leadership education, experiential learning, and access for youth across Alaska.

What Lives Inside the New Foundation

• Print issues of Mushing Magazine (4 times per year for members)
• Leadership and experiential learning courses
• Corporate team-building weekends
• University partnerships
• Micro-grants for kids in rural Alaska
• Training and mentorship through sled dogs
• A thriving members-only feed with trip reports, training runs, and full lectures

Membership

A $50 membership (or $45 for Alaskans) keeps the mission alive. Members support sled-dog education, print storytelling, and new opportunities for young mushers. They also receive bonus content, additional podcast feeds, and behind-the-scenes stories.

Why This Matters

This shift isn’t the end of anything. It’s the beginning of the next chapter in preserving wild-place leadership, mushing history, and the stories that have shaped this community for 16 years.

Takeaways

• The Yukon Quest Alaska is a significant event in the mushing community.
• Weather conditions have drastically affected mushing activities this winter.
• The 550-mile race format is a new and exciting development.
• Community support is vital for the success of dog sled races.
• Mushers come from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• The atmosphere at the Yukon Quest was filled with excitement and anticipation.
• Radio coverage of the race provided a unique perspective.
• The history of the serum run is an important part of mushing lore.
• Future races may face challenges due to current weather conditions.
• The passion for mushing continues to thrive despite obstacles.

The Mushing podcast is made possible by Mushing+ subscribers. Learn more about all the benefits of a subscription and subscribe now at mushing.com/mushingplus 

Our fans would love to learn more about you. Fill out our Musher Q & A here

Do you have a story idea, or pitch a podcast? Check it out here

Trail Bytes 2025

This is the kick-off to the weekend's activities in what is sure to be a world-class event.

Team and Trail is a historic sled dog racing publication that played a major role in the growth of the sport. It was started by Dick Molburg and later taken over by Cindy Molurg, who became the editor and publisher. The Molburgs were instrumental in the formation of the International Sled Dog Racing Association (ISDRA) and the standardization of rules and racing events. After Cindy's passing, Team and Trail sat dormant until it was acquired by Robert Forto and Michele Forto in 2023. They plan to preserve the history of the publication and bring it up to date for future generations.

Keywords

sled dog racing, Team and Trail, history, publication, Molburg, ISDRA, preservation

Takeaways

• Team and Trail played a major role in the growth of sled dog racing
• Cindy Molburg was a key figure in the publication's success and the standardization of rules and events
• Robert and Michele Forto acquired Team and Trail to preserve its history and bring it up to date
• They plan to create a comprehensive database of sled dog history

Titles

• Preserving the History of Team and Trail
• The Role of Team and Trail in Sled Dog Racing

Sound Bites

• "A brief history of Team and Trail in the late 1950s"
• "Team and Trail became a major factor in the growth of sled dog racing"
• "Cindy Molburg's contribution to sled dog racing"

Chapters

00:00 The Beginnings of Team and Trail

01:29 Cindy Molburg: Editor and Publisher

02:27 Cindy Molburg's Contribution to Sled Dog Racing

06:12 Preserving the History of Team and Trail

07:10 Creating a Comprehensive Database of Sled Dog History

Keywords

Team and Trail, dog sledding, Mushing Magazine, historical records, digitize, multimedia, stories, next 50 years, new experience, engage.

Takeaways

• Team and Trail is a podcast that aims to preserve the historical records of the sport of dog sledding.
• The owners of Mushing Magazine have acquired Team and Trail and have digitized the old issues.
• The podcast plans to share the stories via multimedia to engage listeners.
• The long-term goal is to keep these stories alive for the next 50 years and create a new experience for listeners.

Titles

• Sharing Stories via Multimedia
• Preserving the History of Dog Sledding

Sound Bites

• "Our long-term goal is these stories will remain alive for at least 50 years."
• "We loaded up six totes, almost a thousand pounds, and headed to Boston Logan to bring them home to the first PAW media headquarters."
• "Welcome to the new home of dog-powered sports."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Team and Trail

02:24 Preserving the Historical Records

03:21 The Importance of Laconia in Dog Sledding

04:20 Bringing the Records to PAW Media Headquarters

05:18 Long-Term Goal: Keeping the Stories Alive

06:17 Creating a New Experience for Listeners