Arthur Walden with Chinook, September, 1928.

Walden was age 56 when he was put in charge as lead driver and trainer of the dogs for the Byrd Antarctic Expedition. Chinook was nearing his 12th birthday by this time.

When the men had reached the shore of Antarctica, there was little time to unload the ships and make a living area for the men. All the dogs were worked beyond capacity. Walden's team of dogs broke records during that time for amount of loads carried as well as the weight of each load. Adm. Byrd wrote "Walden's team was the backbone of our transport." When needed, Chinook was put into harness for his help. It was shortly after that when Chinook was lost. Many speculated that he left the camp and wandered off knowing he was dying. Another that he befell a grave accident, falling into a crevasse, and died. In either case Walden had lost his best friend. Tragically, he wanted to bury his friend in harness, but Chinook was never found. The death of Chinook was written in newspapers around the world. Upon his return, the people of the area wanted to name the road that connected the town of Tamworth with Wonalancet, Walden's Road. He asked that instead they honor Chinook by naming it the 'Chinook Trail', the name which it still bears today.