Fjallpack Huskies – Our Dryland Mushing Journey
For the past ten years, I, Ian Thyer, together with my wife Sarah and our son James, have been deeply involved in the world of dryland mushing. What began as a passion for running dogs quickly grew into a way of life, shaping our days, our travels, and our friendships. With our team, Fjallpack Huskies, we’ve trained, raced, and shared countless miles of trail across the UK and beyond.
Our journey truly began with Cooper, our first open-class Siberian Husky. Cooper was more than just a dog – he was the spark that set us on this path. His enthusiasm for the trail, determination, and big personality made him not only our first sled dog but also the heart and face of the pack. Even today, Cooper represents the spirit of Fjallpack Huskies: passion, resilience, and joy in every run.
At the core of the team today are our incredible girls:
Bracken – 5 years old and the rock of the team. Strong, reliable, focused, and unstoppable. Bracken will confidently run anywhere from a flat 5 km canicross to a 50 km ultramarathon across small fells, bogs, and variable terrain without looking back – head down and ready to run. She excels in Scooter 1 Dog, having competed at the IFSS International Championships in Spain and the WSA World Championships held in the UK, proudly finishing 5th in her class.
Damson – 20 months old and Bracken’s half-sister. She trains alongside Bracken in canicross, comfortably covering distances up to 10 km, usually finishing around the 50-minute mark while dragging me enthusiastically around the course. This winter, Damson joins Bracken in Scooter Jore, and together they’ll compete in the BSSF Nationals in the 2-Dog RNB Scooter class. She’s the wild card of the team – a powerhouse who will pull until she drops.
Ivy – our beautiful 9-year-old open Siberian Husky and Cooper’s original partner in crime. These days, Ivy runs with James at a more relaxed junior pace, enjoying her canicross runs and long fell walks as she ages gracefully. Her calm spirit and steady drive remind us of how this journey began.
Our youngest musher, James, now 6 years old, has already built an incredible bond with Ivy and the sport. He started canicrossing at just 4 years old, running alongside Sarah or myself at Trail Dog events, where he completed their five-race Wolf Pack series, covering 1-mile routes with determination and a huge smile. Over the past two seasons, James has continued to race with Ivy and already has his entry fees paid for another season with Trail Dog, aiming to achieve personal bests on every course.
Looking ahead, James has made his intentions clear – for the 2026/27 season, he’s claimed Damson as his future running partner! So it looks like another puppy hunt will be on the horizon. His passion for the sport and his incredible connection with the dogs show us that the future of Fjallpack Huskies is in very good hands.
Recently, Fjallpack Huskies entered into an exciting partnership with Gravity Scooters, and we’ve been supplied with their Gravity Pulka R 29er for this race season. As the only UK kennel working with Gravity Scooters, we’re proud to represent their innovation and quality on the trails, and we’re eager to see where this partnership takes us.
Dryland mushing has given us far more than competition – it has built a family bond founded on teamwork, care, and adventure. From frosty mornings to international championships, every run is a reminder of why we started this incredible journey and how far we’ve come as a family and a pack.
The name Fjallpack Huskies comes from the Norse word “Fjall”, meaning Fells. It reflects our deep connection to the Lakeland Fells, where we live, train, and find our strength. The fells are our playground and our training ground – a place that keeps both our bodies and minds strong. We are a team built by the mountains, and Trails.
