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2.14.26 ManTrailing AAR

A technical AAR tracking map from a mantrailing session in Centerville, UT. The satellite view shows a blue track for the "Runner" and a red track for the "Dog" through a residential neighborhood. Stats show a 0.60-mile trail completed on February 17, 2026, with markers for the start and finish points.
Mantrailing Trial - Birnam Woods. A 0.60-mile residential trail focusing on odor discrimination through high-distraction suburban environments. Total distance covered by the team: 0.59 miles.

The Physics of the 16 MPH Wind

The Mission Parameters:

  • Date: February 17, 2026

  • Trail Age: 44 minutes

  • Distance: 0.59 miles

  • Completion Time: 10 minutes, 43 seconds

A technical data sheet from a Mantrailing app for a session on February 17, 2026. The left column, "Trail Details," lists a duration of 10 minutes and 43 seconds, an age of 44 minutes, and an average deviation of 46 feet. The right column, "Conditions," details broken clouds, a temperature of 43°F, a wind speed of 16.1 mph, and 58% air humidity.
Data log for the Birnam Woods Neighborhood area. A 44-minute-old scent trail combined with 16.1 mph winds created a high-level challenge for odor discrimination and handler communication.

The Environmental Challenge: The biggest hurdle for this run wasn't the distance; it was the physics of the environment. With temperatures at a brisk 43°F and sustained winds at 16.1 mph, the scent "cone" wasn't just sitting on the trail—it was being shredded and pushed.


The Performance: Maia was lucky. She got to work through a 44-minute aged trail in a residential area near West Bountiful City Park In high-wind conditions like these, the scent particles often pool against fences or swirl around corners, creating "scent traps." Watching her navigate that 36-foot average deviation to find the true line is a masterclass in focus.


The "Trails to Obedience" Lesson: Whether we are trailing a missing person or teaching a puppy to stay focused on a walk, the principle is the same: Engagement over Environment. If the dog isn't locked into the "job," the wind and the neighborhood distractions will win every time.


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