Our Story

Two people, a man and a woman, are outdoors in front of a colorful van withwords painted on it, surrounded by yellow autumn trees. The woman is sitting on the man's shoulders, both smiling and laughing, and there is a black dog sitting on the ground nearby.

AAidan was raised in northwestern Wisconsin and always wanted to live in Alaska. After graduating high school in 2018, he worked in the trades before settling in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.

Kenna is from the Arizona desert. She moved to McCarthy for a summer job and realized she preferred Alaska to the heat and scorpions of the Southwest.

They met in downtown McCarthy while Aidan was skinning a beaver. Despite the unusual introduction, Aidan asked her out. Kenna saw a future with him, and their first summer of road trips and outlaw country music set the stage for the life they are building now.

A smiling couple dressed warmly, holding each other on a snow-covered frozen lake, with four dogs nearby. In the background, there are snow-capped mountains and a forest.

Their first winter in McCarthy marked the beginning of an extraordinary journey. Kenna and Aidan's decision to adopt Waylon, a spirited black lab boxer mix, infused their adventures with joy and companionship. At just 10 weeks old, Waylon was more than a pet; he became an integral part of their explorations.

With boundless energy, Waylon embraced every experience. He learned to navigate the rugged terrain of the mountains, relished car rides with the wind in his fur, and chased after the snow machine with unmatched enthusiasm.

Yet, it is Waylon's unwavering spirit that truly inspired them. He pours his heart and soul into every interaction, whether on a simple walk or providing emotional support during challenging times. In nature's embrace, he climbed mountains alongside them, reminding Kenna and Aidan the importance of wholeheartedly engaging with life.

When the couple took the courageous step of starting their kennel, it was only fitting to honor the dog who had taught them so much about love and dedication. They named it Waylon’s Way. Each dog they now train carries a piece of Waylon’s spirit, embodying the passion and commitment that Kenna and Aidan strive to instill, inspiring others to embrace their adventures with the same fervor and joy that Waylon displays each day.

Person hiking through snow with a team of sled dogs on a snowy mountain slope under a cloudy sky.

Aidan and Kenna are living off-grid and operating their sled dog kennel in the heart of the Wrangells. Their goal is to begin racing competitively within the next two years, while continuing to explore their backyard: Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. For them, this life is about the daily work, the health of the team, and exploring the wilderness with the same grit Waylon shows them every day.

A person with four sled dogs in a snowy mountain landscape, with snow-covered peaks and a clear blue sky in the background.