The Owners

The Owners

Pasi Ikonen and Anna McCormack, former professional adventure racers and explorers, and their son Eliel.

Hetta Huskies is run by Pasi Ikonen, his British wife Anna McCormack and their son Eliel (born May 2nd, 2010). Both Pasi and Anna are former professional athletes and explorers.

  • Run by Pasi Ikonen, Anna McCormack and their son Eliel
  • Both owners are former professional adventure racers and explorers
  • Met on the start line of the 827km Raid Gauloises 2000; moved to Hetta in 2005

How they met

They met for the first time on the Tibetan plateau on the start line of the 827km Raid Gauloises 2000, an international adventure race which Pasi's team won. Their paths kept crossing as they raced against each other around the globe over the next few years, swapping podium positions, until they finally joined forces. Married since January 4th 2003, they moved to Hetta in 2005 after searching Northern Lapland for a suitable place to call home.

Why Hetta

They wanted to be based in the wilderness somewhere where snow was guaranteed in the winter, but close enough to a good road network so that they could easily travel to collect modern-day essentials and visit family and friends. They also wanted to be as close as possible to the mountains of Sweden and Norway, since Finland is essentially flat and, although both love the Arctic landscapes, they are also mountain people. Hetta seemed the ideal location.

Family and community

Their son Eliel joined them in the spring of 2010. He hasn't proved much help on the farm yet, but he certainly isn't scared of dogs and his favourite toy is the quadbike, on which he will happily sit for hours. Both Anna and Pasi completed a training course to guide in the National Park, and Pasi in particular spends countless hours each month on the regional development of their small corner of the world.

Owners Anna and Pasi together
The owners in the mountains
Portrait of Anna McCormackAnna McCormackExplorer, professional endurance athlete and gear expert who has lived and worked in 12 countries and led youth and scientific expeditions worldwide.Adventure racing on mountain bikesAthletic BackgroundAnna and Pasi spent years at the top of world adventure racing - the ultimate team sport across kayaking, running, biking and orienteering.Pasi on the unsupported South Pole ski expeditionExpeditionary BackgroundDecades of expeditions in extreme environments - from an unsupported South Pole ski to a paraplegic crossing of the Greenland Icecap.Pasi during an adventure raceMotivational SpeakingAnna and Pasi offer corporate motivational talks, leadership training and customisable team-building events to a wide range of audiences.Portrait of Pasi IkonenPasi IkonenWithin Finland, Pasi's name is synonymous with adventurous expeditions, endurance racing and extreme skiing.