Chinook fanciers have long discussed Walden's height in relation to determining the size of Chinook through photos. The Ohio State University Archives have documents with a brief history and description of the men serving on BAE I including Arthur Walden. These facts on Walden are taken from one such document and should serve to answer any questions regarding Walden's height.
"WALDEN, ARTHUR TREADWELL, 57,
In charge of dogs. Wonalancet, New Hampshire."
"Height, 5 feet, 7 3/4 inches. Weight, 150 pounds. Blue eyes, gray hair, ruddy complexion. Scars on right cheek and right thigh."
"Well known for his work with the dogs in the northern states and in Canada."
Chinook fanciers have also had long discussions regarding the size of Chinook and his offspring in relation to the desired size of today's Chinook dog. The following is a list of the 16 male Chinook dogs who served on BAE I along with their weights, and is taken from documents from The Ohio State University Archives. (The spellings of the names with added asterisk are hard to decipher and may be changed if new info is received.)
List of Chinooks who served on BAE I:
"Chinook Kennels:"
Chinook 90
Karluk 85
Kuskokwim 83 (owner Caryl Peabody)
Scaramouche 78 ( " " " )
Muskeg 70 ( " " " )
Ballaratt 79
Shagwa 78
Kewalik 72
*Attui 74
*Taruigau 75
Quimbo 79
Omiak 65
Kyack 68
Noatak 78
Chilkat 74
Unimak 69
Using this list of BAE I male Chinook dog weights, the average weight for Walden's male Chinook Dogs was 76 pounds and the range in weights was 65 to 90 pounds, with Chinook being the heaviest dog - heavier than any of his sons.
"On Board S.S. Sir James Clarke Ross at Norfolk, Virginia. October 22, 1928. 94 dogs including eight bitches. Those which had names were:"
(Named on these lists are: Labrador dogs, Labrador bitches, Alaskan dogs, and Dogs from Chinook Kennels.)
BAE I: The Byrd Antarctic Expeditions