Meet our human crew! All local Alaskans who live in the Two Rivers area, each guide will be full of stories and tales of life in Alaska!
Ryne Olson
Ryne is a human teammate on the Ryno Sled Dog Kennel race team. She’s competed in four Iditarods and five Yukon Quests as well as several mid-distance races including earning a 1st place finish in the Copper Basin 300. When not mushing, Ryne is hiking with her reindeer, flying, skiing, and horseback riding.
Kalyn Holl
Kalyn is the human teammate of Spare Parts Kennel and Sappho Isle Reindeer Farm. They are currently in the process of becoming a Certified Animal Behavior Consultant through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants. When playing with dogs and reindeer, Kalyn canoes, backpacks, kayaks and photographs around Alaska.
Laura allaway
Laura and her canine athletes operate Runner Dance Kennel. Laura is a veteran of the 1000-mile Iditarod and 1000-mile Yukon Quest sled dog races but now focuses on adventures and guiding guests on dog sled experiences! When not mushing, Laura is training her horse Phoenix or working on her chicken empire. Follow her kennel on social media!
Virginia Ely
Virginia is our reindeer herder extraordinaire. When not helping train the reindeer, Virigina’s other passions are horses and sled dogs. She’s lead horse packer for a remote hunting outfit as well as summertime horse guide. The more time Virginia can spend in the woods, the happier she is! Side note, she’s an amazing cook.
Emily Anderson
Originally from Pennsylvania, Emily moved to Alaska two years ago once she discovered the intense allure of sled dogs. She’s started her own kennel with sled dog Rainier and retired sled dog Goblin. She has yet to pick a name, so hassle her about that. When not playing with her dogs, Emily is painting or designing spooky costumes.
Jen Hallsten
Jen is the human teammate of Midnight Sun Kennel. Originally from Colorado, Jen has a background in veterinary medicine and when not playing with sled dogs, she’s entertaining her Belgian Malinois, Blue, and her 28-year-old horse, Stryder. Follow the team on social media!
Shaynee traska
Shaynee and her husband Jeremy are the human teammates of Howling Ridge Kennel. Shaynee got her first sled dogs at fourteen years old. Since then, she has completed the 1000-mile Iditarod Sled Dog Race as well as many mid-distance races. Follow along on their Facebook page- Howling Ridge Kennel.
Jeremy Traska
Jeremy and his wife Shaynee are the human teammates of Howling Ridge Kennel. Like Shaynee, Jeremy has competed in several mid-distance races like the 300-mile Copper Basin. While he has raced, his true passion is just adventuring with dogs and living the unique musher lifestyle.
Josi Shelley
Josi and her husband JJ are the human teammates of There and Back Again Kennel. In 2024 Josi was rookie of the year in the 1000-mile Iditarod Sled Dog Race. She’s training this season to run in the 2026 Iditarod, so follow along on her social media (There and Back Again Sleddogs) to get regular updates on her journey!
Derek Patton
Derek is a human teammate on the Ryno Sled Dog Kennel race team. He’s a jack of all trades-retired BLM Alaska Smokejumper, heexperienced bush pilot, owner of Two Rivers Gravel, and hunting/fishing enthusiast. He spends his free time exploring the Alaska wilds with his bird dog Sasha.