Team and Trail

2009 Mushing History Conference

2009-10-26T03:52:00.000-07:00

The 2009 Mushing History Conference is scheduled for the first weekend in November, with a meeting for the presenters planned for Friday, November 6th, and the Conference to be held on Saturday and Sunday, November 7th and 8th.

A sampling of the confirmed speakers to date is available at the conference website. For information about the Conference contact:

Conference Director: Tim White, 881 County Road 14, Grand Marais, MN; email: twhite@boreal.org

Coordinator: Helen Hegener, Northern Light Media, P.O. Box 759, Palmer, Alaska 99645; (907) 354-3510; email: helen@northernlightmedia.com

Trailbreakers: Pioneering Alaska's Iditarod

2009-04-26T12:30:00.000-07:00

Trailbreakers: Pioneering Alaska's Iditarod, Volume 1: Blazing the Last Great Gold Rush Trail 1840-1930, by Rod Perry. This book is, according to the author, "The most authentic, thorough treatment ever given the gold rush history of the old Iditarod Trail, done as only one who is not only a master writer, story teller and historian who has driven dogs on weeks-long trips through trackless arctic wilderness could tell it."

Iditarod! The most in-depth, definitive work on the old Gold Rush Trail. A historical narrative written by a race pioneer who ran the first Iditarod in 1973 .
Well known for his ability to tell a colorful story, Rod Perry is one of the premier authorities on the Iditarod Trail.

Informative excerpt from the book's Facebook page: TRAILBREAKERS Volume I is the most-complete, most-accurate telling of how the fabled Iditarod Trail came to be. As it relates the 1840-1930 progression of events establishing the “Last Great Gold Rush Trail in North America,” the book educates and corrects long-standing myths and misinformation that have grown up. It interests and entertains, filled as it is with humorous anecdotes and colorful gold rush tales. Anyone acquainted with Rod Perry as a raconteur knows he couldn’t write history any other way.

To order TRAILBREAKERS Volume 1 visit author Rod Perry's dynamic website, which features a peek inside the book, an expanded author's profile, and a galley of historic gold rush photographs.

Lance and his Leaders

2009-03-18T15:48:00.001-07:00

Lance Mackey and his lead dogs, Larry and Maple. Photo by Theresa Daily, Daily's Web Design, GoMush.com

Tonya Mackey bestows a kiss on her husband's leader, Maple. Photo by Theresa Daily, Daily's Web Design, GoMush.com

Lance Seizes the Lead

2009-03-14T13:46:00.000-07:00

Lance heading out on the Iditarod Trail from the Willow Re-Start on Sunday, photo by Helen Hegener, Northern Light Media.

According to his Comeback Kennel website, Lance's team includes: Larry (Team Dog), Chucko (Team Dog), BoyCuz (Team Dog), Maple (Leader), Rapper (WheelDog), Tulasak (Team Dog), Pimp (Wheel), Dred (Leader) Rev (Leader), Battel (Leader), Niki (Team), Lippy (Leader), Shasta (Team ), Zena (Leader), Pauly (Wheel/Team)

From Lance's site: He still has 16 healthy, happy dogs running in his team. Four of those dogs are rookies to this years Iditarod trail. They have done good, trained well and now they have accomplished running over half the Iditarod trail. He couldn't be happier. "It's like watching your kids grow up and do well" he says" there's a certain amount of pride taken in watching them excel"

Iditarod Updates

2009-03-14T13:30:00.000-07:00

Jon Little's Trail Notes:

Only Lance Mackey can lose about an hour getting lost at the end of a long run, and not have it effect his race much. Mackey is in control of this race now, the earliest he ever taken charge. Now the question is, can anybody challenge him?

Josh Rogers' Iditablog:

The question now shifts to if either Seavey, King, or Neff will be able to make up the distance between them, and Lance Mackey. Hugh Neff is facing some pretty formitable competitors in a hunt for his first victory, Jeff King is searching for a 5th Iditarod Championship, and Mitch Seavey is looking for his second.

Anchorage Daily News:

Mackey on Friday fell asleep on his sled during a 25-mile run from Shageluk to the Yukon River town of Anvik, took a wrong turn and cost his team a couple of hours, briefly sapping its spirit.
But by Saturday morning Mackey's 16-dog freight train was rolling again. He reached Eagle Island at 8:33 a.m., and an hour later he was still alone there.

Kleedehn Still Leading, Neff Close Behind

2009-02-22T19:43:00.000-08:00

Brent Sass leaving Circle City, photo by Helen Hegener

February 22, 2009; 1630 AKST (Circle City, Alaska) - William Kleedehn and Hugh Neff arrived at Central Checkpoint this afternoon within three minutes of one another. The two have been consistently near the top of the leader board since the race started eight days ago, but to be within three minutes of each other at this stage of the race will make for an incredible finish.

There's a Central checkpoint photo and more of this race update at the Northern Light Media Journal.

"300 Miles of Mushers"

2009-02-21T11:52:00.000-08:00

Updates from the Yukon Quest site this morning:

Yukon Quest mushers and their dog teams will soon be stretched across nearly 300 miles of trail.

The 5 front runners are in and out of Eagle Checkpoint, on their way to Slaven's Roadhouse and should reach Circle City some time close to midnight Saturday.

Check the race site for complete information on the mushers' positions. And from another race update:

By late Friday evening both Slaven's Roadhouse, the next stop for the front runners, and Circle Checkpoint, the first checkpoint on the Alaska road system, were populated with Yukon Quest Judges and Veterinary Team members awaiting the arrival of the first teams. While teams are not anticipated to arrive in Circle until midnight Saturday, unpredictable weather conditions made it prudent to position Race Personnel at the earliest possible opportunity.

Saturday's reported clearing weather should allow race organizers to complete the flights delayed by Friday's weather system, and the accumulating snowfall should continue to improve trail conditions for Yukon Quest mushers and their dog teams.

Five Quest Mushers Scratched

2009-02-20T14:38:00.000-08:00

With Josh Cadzow's return to the Dawson City checkpoint this morning, five Yukon Quest mushers have now scratched from the race: Jean-Denis Britten, Jerry Joinson, Hans Gatt, David Dalton and now rookie favorite Josh Cadzow of Fort Yukon. Twenty-four mushers are still headed for Fairbanks.

Photo by John Hagen.

The Yukon Quest Continues

2009-02-19T23:19:00.000-08:00

It's time for Team and Trail to pick up on the Yukon Quest, which started on February 14th in Whitehorse, and is heading for Fairbanks, 1,000 miles away. The teams are just coming off their mandatory 36 hour rests in Dawson City, and the big news as they get back on the trail again is three time Quest champion Hans Gatt's not joining them. He scratched from this race to refocus his efforts on the upcoming Iditarod. Details at the Yukon Quest site, Northern Light Media Journal, and no doubt many other sources.

Photo by John Hagen.

Klondike 300 Slideshow

2009-02-08T02:22:00.000-08:00

It was such a lovely day today I drove up to Willow's Eagle Quest Lodge at Deshka Landing and took a few quick photos of a couple of the teams going through. Nothing fancy, no close-up shots here, and almost as many "interesting tree shots" as sled dog teams. But for what it's worth, here's the slideshow. (Note the link goes to the album; click the slideshow link for the show. You can control the time onscreen, or pause the photos.)

For current musher standings check the website.

Klondike 300

2009-02-07T00:20:00.000-08:00

The Klondike 300, originally scheduled for January 17 but delayed by adverse weather conditions, starts at 10 am Saturday, February 7 at the Tug Bar, at the end of the Knik-Goose Bay Road, south of Wasilla, Alaska. The mushers currently entered are, in starting order: Carmen Perezchino, Abby West, Louise Bissonnett, Kristy Berington, Ray Redington Jr., Cym Smyth, Ryan Redington, Steve Geiger, Jessie Royer, Aaron Burmeister, Benedict Beisch, DeeDee Jonrowe, Jim Lanier, Emil Churchin, Lance Mackey, Nancy Yoshida, and Jan Steve. For complete information about the mushers and the race visit the race website.

A Texan Coming North

2009-02-06T23:37:00.000-08:00

There's a Texan coming back to Alaska in March... Sarida Steed-Bradley is returning for this year's Iditarod after 37 years away from Alaska. To say she's excited would be an understatement; reading her weblog, Return to Alaska, A Journey North, gives some small indication of what this trip will mean for her:

Alaska has called me back. Over the past year and many months I've found my thoughts and dreams turning north as if magnetised like a compass needle. I'm almost ready to go.

And later, she reveals part of the greater impetus behind her pilgrimage:

Phil had just recently been discharged from the Army. He was back at Gramma and Grandpaw's house for a few weeks to gather his hunting and fishing gear, visit family, see friends and prepare to move. His decision had not gone over well with the family and we had hastened up the road from Austin for a weekend visit before he left. Why Alaska, for crying out loud? Nothing anyone said could change his mind, because Alaska had claimed his heart.

Sarida already has some wonderful stuff on her blog, like all the mushers drawn for the 1972 Fur Rendezvous in Anchorage, and a lovely photo of the beautiful full color patch she designed for Lance Mackey's inimitable lead dog, Larry. She shares some of her hopes for her trip, like seeing the Aurora Borealis again, and some marvelous re-writings of favorite old Alaskan-oriented songs. Get to know this lady from Texas now, and follow along as she traces her roots back into the North Country.

Commentary by Joe May

2009-02-01T14:56:00.000-08:00

There's a very interesting commentary by Joe May at the Don Bowers site, and as usual, Joe's writing is stellar:

The mushers of this years Bowers race will use trails, knowledge, and skills that developed and evolved here in the upper valley by those unique characters. I thought it a fine gesture to recognize them and the time they defined….good history is so easy lost.

Joe's right about the good history, and with many years on the trail, he's one who should know. Click over and read what he has to say.

Dogsled Mail in Alaska, 1890s–1963

2009-01-22T15:49:00.000-08:00

An interesting post about delivering mail by dogteam in Alaska between the 1890's and 1963:

In 1963, the U.S. Post Office Department honored Chester Noongwook of Savoonga, on St. Lawrence Island in the Bering Sea. He was the last mail driver...

Klondike 300

2009-01-21T13:22:00.000-08:00

The race has been delayed by weather conditions - see update at the Klondike 300 site.

The Klondike 300 Sled Dog Race starts at 10:00 am Saturday, January 24, at the Tug Bar, at the end of the Knik-Goose Bay Road, Knik, Alaska. The Klondike is a 300 mile race held annually (usually on the third weekend of January) and covers a course from the start at Tug Bar on Knik-Goose Bay Road, through Deshka, with food drops, dog drops, and six hour layovers at Yentna Station,and Angel Haven Lodge, then back to Yentna Station for dog and food drops and another six hour layover, then back through Deshka to the starting point and finish at the Tug Bar.

Starting order for the race: Carmen Perezchino, Sterling, Alaska; Becca Moore, Montana Creek, AK; Matt Hayashida, Willow, AK; Abby West, Two Rivers, AK; Ramy Smyth, Willow, AK; Wade Marrs, Wasilla, AK; Louis Bissonnette, Two Rivers, AK; Jen Seavey, Sterling, AK; Kristy Berington, Kasilof, AK; Ray Redington, Jr., Wasilla, AK; Cym Smyth, Big Lake, AK; Ryan Redington, Wasilla, AK; Wattie Donald, Scottland; Steve Geiger, Willow, AK; Jessie Royer, Fairbanks, AK; Mike Barnett, Scotland; and Dan Kaduce, Fairbanks, AK.

2009 Iditarod Wells Fargo Mushers' Drawing Banquet

2009-01-20T12:33:00.000-08:00

Get your tickets (while they are still available) to the 2009 Wells Fargo Mushers' Drawing Banquet to take place on Thursday, March 5th at the brand new Dena’ina Center in downtown Anchorage. This is the first time for this banquet that the venue is large enough to hold every Iditarod fan who wants to attend. We’ve been turning people away for years. So come join us this year! Dress is casual. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. The program and dinner begin at 6 p.m. The dinner menu consists of boneless short ribs, salad, vegetables and desert. (Vegetarian meals available upon request.)

The main part of the program for the evening will be the mushers drawing for their starting positions. This is your chance to get up close and personal with the 2009 mushers and an excellent opportunity to get their autographs as they take their place in the autograph line after they’ve drawn their starting number. Tickets are $65 and tables seat 10. To order tickets, go to www.iditarodstore.com and click on Banquet Tickets. If you have further questions, please contact banquet coordinator, Sue Albright, at 907-352-2201.

Mitch Seavy Wins the Kusko 300

2009-01-20T12:22:00.000-08:00

Mike Campbell reported for this morning's Anchorage Daily News:

Seavey early this morning wrapped up his second consecutive Kuskokwim 300 Sled Dog Race, coming from behind on the last stretch to win in 38 hours, 30 minutes, just eight minutes faster than Martin Buser of Big Lake.

Jeff King of Denali Park, who led earlier Monday, slipped to third, 90 minutes behind Seavey.
Seavey's second consecutive Kusko victory was his third overall in the world's richest middle-distance sled dog race, earning him $20,000 of the $100,000 purse. Only King, who has won eight times in Bethel, owns more Kusko titles.

The Kuskokwim 300 site has complete race updates.

Delayed, Wet Kusko

2009-01-16T17:43:00.000-08:00

Looks like another wet Kuskokwim 300 shaping up. Mike Campbell reported an update in today's Anchorage Daily News:

Wet, warm weather that's blanketed much of Alaska forced organizers of the world's richest middle-distance sled dog race to postpone today's scheduled start.

The 30th running of the $100,000 Kuskokwim 300 Sled Dog Race, due to begin at 6:30 tonight, has been pushed back to 3 p.m. Saturday, with the shorter Bogus Creek 150 now due to start and hour later.

Some racers and organizers feared this week's warm-up would turn the race into a rerun of last year's "Kusko-swim" that turned the 300-mile trail from snow to water in 24 hours, pinning two mushers down 50 miles from the finish line and putting more than a dozen snowmachines underwater.

Martin Buser's wife Kathy has a good post at their Happy Trails Kennel blog:

Alaska Airlines is to be commended for it's unbelievable work in accommodating dogs and people through the entire ordeal. Ticketing, reticketing, moving dogs, working so hard to get dog teams and mushers into Bethel. Our flight included Jeff King, John Baker, Mitch Seavey and dogs, Ken Anderson and his dogs and Martin and our team. The service provided makes Alaska Airlines one of the most unique in the business, remaining flexible and working hard to get people and dogs where they need to be safely. We can't thank all the Airline people associated with this flight enough. They worked overtime and went way beyond the regular duties to make this trip as managable as possible.

Kuskokwim 300

2009-01-16T13:08:00.000-08:00

The Kuskokwim 300 is considered one of the the Big Four of Alaska distance mushing, along with the Copper Basin 300, the Yukon Quest and the Iditarod, and there's a great article about the Kusko by reporter Mike Campbell in the Jan. 13th Anchorage Daily News:

...as usual, the Kusko field is stacked. Entrants include:

• Four-time Iditarod champion Jeff King, whose eight victories in Bethel make him the winningest Kusko musher in history;

• Fellow four-time Iditarod champ Martin Buser, who has prevailed twice at the Kusko;

• Defending champ Mitch Seavey of Sterling, who last year earned more prize money in a single season than any musher in history. In addition to the Kusko ($20,000), Seavey was seventh in the Iditarod ($48,000) and won the All-Alaska Sweepstakes' $100,000 winner-take-all jackpot.

• Ken Anderson of Fairbanks, whose second place in the Yukon Quest, followed by fourth in the Iditarod, suggest he's poised for a championship breakthrough.

All are chasing the winner's $20,000 share of the $100,000 purse, mushing's biggest prize after the Iditarod and Quest.

The more interesting part of Campbell's article, however, is about the many Native distance mushers, both those entered in the Kusko and it's related shorter races - the Bogus Creek 150, and Akiak Dash, and those who've now retired. It's a good article, and the Kusko 300 is going to be a great race!

Klondike 300 postponed until Monday

2009-01-16T12:54:00.000-08:00

The Klondike 300 has been postponed until Monday. From the site:

WE HAVE 18 MUSHERS SIGNED UP. AND WE DISCUSSED WITH THE DOG MUSHERS OF ALL THE OPTIONS WE HAD (AND THERE WEREN'T TO MANY OF THEM). WE DISCUSSED THE TRAIL SITUATION AND THAT PART CAN BE DEALT WITH. THE RIVERS HOWEVER ARE A WHOLE DIFFERENT STORY, WHEN I SPOKE WITH RON FROM DESHKA HE SAID IN A FEW HOURS THE 2 INCHES OF OVERFLOW ON THE MAIN TRAILS ON THE RIVER TURNED INTO 4 INCHES IN SEVERAL AREAS. WHEN HE GOT OFF THE PACKED TRAIL 8 INCHES OF WATER. WE LET THE MUSHERS DECIDE ON STARTING ON SUNDAY OR MONDAY AS THE WEATHER IS "PREDICTED" AS COLDER.
THE MAJORITY THOUGHT MONDAY AT 10 AM WOULD BE THE START. PAT PATTERSON AND I PLAN TO RIDE THE RIVER SATURDAY AND SEE FOR OURSELVES WHAT THE SITUATION IS AND HOW TO PROCEED FROM THERE, AND I'LL POST IT HERE ASAP. BEN KLEINENBERG

Mushers signed up for the Klondike 300, in starting order:

1. JESSICA HENDRICKS, TWO RIVERS .AK
2. CARMEN PERZECHINO, STERLING, AK
3. BECCA MOORE, MONTANA CR. AK
4. MATT HAYASHIDA, WILLOW, AK
5. ABBY WEST, TWO RIVERS, AK.
6. RAMY SMITH, WILLOW, AK
7. WADE MARRS, WASILLA, AK
8. LOUIS BISSONNETTE, TWO RIVER, AK
9. JEN SEAVEY, STERLING, AK
10. KRISTY BERINGTRON, KASILOF, AK.
11. RAY REDINGTON JR., WASILLA, AK.
12. CIM SMYTH, BIG LAKE, AK.
13. RYAN REDINGTON, WASILLA, AK.
14. WATTIE DONALD, SCOTLAND
15. STEVE GIEGER, WILLOW, AK.
16. JESSE ROYER, FAIRBANKS, AK.
17. MIKE BARNETT, SCOTLAND
18. DON KADUCE, FAIRBANKS, AK.

2009 Copper Basin 300 Finish

2009-01-12T16:57:00.000-08:00

Lance Mackey won the 2009 Copper Basin 300 Sled Dog Race at 4:41 at Wolverine Lodge on Lake Louise, northwest of Glennallen, Alaska.

For his time on the trail he’ll take home 25% of the $18,000 purse, or $4,500, and his name will be added to the base of the handsome race trophy. Previous winners of the Copper Basin 300, billed as “the toughest 300 miles in Alaska,” are listed at the CB300 website.

Among the front runners who also left the Sourdough checkpoint in the running for first place position were Hans Gatt, Brent Sass, and Allen Moore, three time winner of the CB300.

Congratulations, Lance!

No one in sight behind him! Photos in a few minutes…

Link to CB300 Start Photos

2009-01-12T10:47:00.000-08:00

Start photos for the Copper Basin 300 are posted at the Northern Light Media Journal.

10:00 Monday update: three mushers resting at the Sourdough checkpoint: Lance Mackey, Sven Haltmann, and Hans Gatt.

Copper Basin 300 Update

2009-01-12T07:55:00.000-08:00

Team crossing the Richardson Highway

Lance Mackey is the first musher into Sourdough checkpoint at 5:15 am on Monday. For more information see the Northern Light Media's Journal or you can subscribe to the Sled Dog News list for frequent race updates and discussion.

Copper Basin 300

2009-01-09T20:35:00.000-08:00

Sunday Morning: Mushers are leaving Chistochina, headed across country to Paxon.
CB300 Trail Map
Some great photos
The latest race updates
Lance headed for Paxon at 6:04. Folowing him out of Chistochina just after 8 am were Braxton Peterson, Harry Alexie, Brent Sass, and Sven Haltmann.
There's discussion of the race happening on the Sled Dog News group.

Update Saturday Evening: 1st into Glennallen checkpoint: Allen Moore, followed closely by Hans Gatt and Lance Mackey! Check the Copper Basin 300 site for times and information on all the teams into Glennallen!

Minus Forty at Lake Louise

The Race Announcers

Lining out the team

Getting Ready to Go

Harry Alexie doing some last minute packing

Braxton Peterson with a big smile

Lance Mackey heads back to his sled at the start

Colleen Robertia

Can we go yet?

Aliy Zirkle

Sven Haltmann

Lance Mackey signs in at Glennallen

Race Headquarters in Glennallen

Updating the standings

The 2009 Copper Basin 300 Sled Dog Race started Saturday, January 10 at 10:00 am, at the Wolverine Lodge on Lake Louise, northwest of Glennallen, Alaska. With a poster tagline of “Twenty years of the toughest 300 miles in Alaska,” this well-respected mid-distance race has once again drawn an impressive line-up of mid-to-long distance mushers, including the defending champion, Allen Moore of Two Rivers, Alaska, who also won in 2005 and 2007. Iditarod and Yukon Quest champion Lance Mackey, who won the CB300 in 2006 and came in second last year, is also racing again this year. Follow this link for Northern Light Media's opening coverage of the race.

Knik 200 Coverage

2009-01-09T20:25:00.000-08:00

Knik 200 Joe Redington Memorial Sled Dog Race coverage and photos can be found at the Northern Light Media Journal, the Go Mush website, and of course at the Knik 200 site.

2009 Knik 200

2008-12-31T20:08:00.000-08:00

The Knik 200-Joe Redington Sr. Memorial Sled Dog Race was founded by Sally Welch of Eagle River, Alaska. The Knik 200 was and continues to be a valuable training race for the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. It is held each year on the first weekend in January. Race starts at Knik Lake, mile 13, Knik Goose Bay Rd.

The Knik 200 is a limited class race for all Dog Mushers meeting the qualifications as set forth by the Knik 200 Race committee. The Knik 200 covers 200 miles and is an Iditarod sanctioned race.

This years race will have a 40 team limit... and as of 12/29/08 40 teams were signed up!

2008 Gin Gin 200

2008-12-27T23:14:00.000-08:00

The 2008 Gin Gin 200 coverage at the Northern Light Media Journal (multiple posts on the race).

Gin Gin 200

2008-12-26T21:08:00.000-08:00

2008 Gin Gin race poster

The Gin Gin 200 is a 200 mile race along the snow-packed Denali Highway from Paxon Lodge to MacLaren River Lodge and back. The race site explains the name of the race:

The Gin Gin 200 is named after a remarkable dog who dominated a dog kennel for over 10 years. She was an inspiration both on the trail and in the dog yard. She was a dog with unswerving loyalty and stubbornness. She did not know” quit”. Her ability, drive and attitude should serve as an example to dog drivers everywhere.

Relevant links include general Race Information and Rules, the Mushers entered, and the Race Blog.

Jodi Bailey wins Two Rivers Solstice 100

2008-12-22T06:15:00.000-08:00

The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reported that Chatanika musher Jodi Bailey won the Two Rivers Dog Mushers Solstice 100 from Pleasant Valley Store to Angel Creek Lodge and back this past weekend, edging out Iditarod and Yukon Quest champion Lance Mackey by a mere two minutes. In the 2007 Gin-Gin 200, Bailey won the women’s division with the fastest overall time, finishing 20 minutes ahead of Lance Mackey’s winning time in the men’s division. Next weekend Bailey and Mackey are poised to duel it out yet again at the 2008 Gin-Gin 200 from Paxon Lodge to MacLaren River and return.

Musher's Tales: Sheep Mountain 150 Part 3

2008-12-22T05:46:00.000-08:00

Jamaican musher Newton Marshall's blogger Susie Rogan had an interesting update and perspective on the Sheep Mountain 150:

It was like Sundance Film Festival of dog racing with mushers such as Jeff King (4 time Iditarod winner), Ken Anderson, Sebastian Schnuelle, Gerry Willomietzer, DeeDee Jonrowe (second place Iditarod), Aily Zirkle (1st place Yukon Quest), and Hans of course (3 times first place Yukon Quest and champion of many other races), etc. etc. Many were running this as a first race of the season, being careful and checking out their dogs under race conditions. The race could have been a lot more competitive if these people were giving it all they had, but they were preserving their teams for bigger races later in the season.

Also a great note about Newton's race effort:

Newton also could definately have gone a lot faster but instead ran a perfect race and finished with all his dogs in great shape. The race vet approached me and said, "In case I don't get a chance to talk to Hans and Newton, would you pass on to them that Newton looked extremely good out there. Very professional. He had his check point routine down almost perfectly. You could tell he was having to think, but he didn't miss a thing."

Mush, Mon!

Northern Light Media Journal

2008-12-22T05:39:00.000-08:00

The Northern Light Media Journal site has been updated for the 2008-2009 racing season, and the new site starts out with a three-part slideshow of the Sheep Mountain 150, featuring many photos of the mushers and their teams in the starting chute which have not appeared on other sites.

Musher's Tales: Sheep Mountain 150 Part 2

2008-12-19T12:29:00.000-08:00

Continuing the reports from Sheep Mountain mushers, Colleen (Cole) Robertia's blog has a lengthy entry detailing her adventures on the trail, including losing her brake and getting off the trail, then getting badly bitten by an entangled dog from another team:

Cole finished 13th out of the 50 mushers that started the event, which exceeded our own expectations given the talented field. Our goal was to place between 10 and 20th position, and we had expected to come in around 18th, so 13th place was a great feeling of accomplishment. Overall, the weather and course were pretty favorable. The highs were around minus 5 most of the time, and the mercury dipped to near minus 20 during the night leg of the race, which is almost perfect for the dogs to run in. In addition the full moon was out, so the night leg was well lit, and there must have been some sort of meteor shower that night too, because there were a million shooting stars.

Sebastian Schnuelle's Blue Kennels had five teams entered in the race, and his blog has a handful of Sheep Mountain-related entries:

With Sebastian there is also Ray Edwards and Mark Sleightholme at the Startline of the Sheep Mountain. The Sheep Mountain is a race over 150 miles (240 km) passing awesome landscapes. A beautiful day for the start of the 4th annual Sheep Mountain 150. Sunshine and a light wind helped the record 47 mushers get on down the trail today. Temperatures loomed between 5 above and minus 20°F (-15 to -30°C), depending on where you were standing.

And Jeff King reported from his Husky Homestead near Denali Park:

Just got back from a weekend mushing my rookie run of the Sheep Mountain 150. Boy do Zack and Anjanette Steer know how to put on a dog race! Extremely well organized, great trail, awesome weather, full moon, shooting stars and hot babes table-dancing in the bar. What more could a musher want? Our second year star handler Dave DeCaro also ran a team of 2 year olds in their first ever race ~ and fun was had by all.

Dog Gone Addiction

2008-12-18T23:37:00.000-08:00

The International award winning film by Becky Bristow, 'Dog Gone Addiction,' has been has been shown at film festivals across North America and Europe and has won numerous awards and accolades including Best Adventure Film, Explorers Club film festival, New York; Best Adventure Sports Film, Taos Mountain Film Festival, New Mexico; Special Jury Award, Whistler Film Festival, British Columbia.

Dog Gone Addiction follows three women, Michelle Phillips, a young Canadian mother; Agata Franczak, a 48-year-old Polish adventurer and Kelley Griffin, Alaskan veteran, as they test their limits driving their dog teams through record cold temperatures and over icy mountain passes amid mental exhaustion in the 1000 mile Yukon Quest sled dog race from Whitehorse, Yukon Territory to Fairbanks Alaska. The film shows the women's struggles to overcome -60 dergee Celsius temps, exhaustion, sick dogs, mountain passes, and the remote wilderness of the Yukon and Alaska to achieve their goals of not just finishing but, racing the toughest sled dog race on earth. Included in the DVD are 55 minutes of extra features, commentary from racing legend Hans Gatt, and tons of footage showing all the characters that make up the Yukon Quest race.

There's a video clip from the film, and Dog Gone Addiction makes a great gift; order from Wild Soul Creations.

Musher's Tales: Sheep Mountain 150

2008-12-17T04:39:00.000-08:00

As we come across websites and blogs of the mushers from the 2008 Sheep Mountain 150, we'll share the links and interesting excerpts:

Kasilof musher Jon Little shares his experiences at his Trail Notes blog:

My goal going into the race was to maintain a good, fast pace but not go overboard. I kept my pledge for the first leg, but had a tough time keeping my dogs’ speed down as we took off from the Eureka checkpoint for the second leg. It must have been about 11 p.m. and in the single digits below zero F, under a full moon. The dogs were amped. I was a few minutes behind Hans Gatt, Sebastian Schnuelle and Allan Moore, and 14 minutes behind the leader, Jessica Hendricks.

Jamaican musher Newton Marshall's site sports a victory picture and warm congratulations:

Newton placed 21st out of 48 in the 150 mile Sheep Mountain race held this past weekend in Alaska. Big smiles and huge congrats go out to Newton for his accomplishment........Folks at home are so proud of you Newton!

There's a quick note from Zoya DeNure at her Crazy Dog Kennel Journal:

We're here at the Sheep Mountain 150 sled dog race, parked quietly on a plowed road about 13 miles from the start watching teams go by....hard to sit and just watch!

Zoya, John Schandelmeier and their baby girl Jona were on their way home from Anchorage the opening day of the race...

Got a link to a Sheep Mountain 150 musher's site or blog? Send it to helen@northernlightmedia.com - and thanks!

Jessica Hendricks wins Sheep Mountain 150

2008-12-14T15:07:00.000-08:00

Judy Currier of Fairbanks, Alaska at the Sheep Mountain 150 on Saturday, Dec. 13. Photo: Helen Hegener

The Go Mush site reported the Two Rivers musher Jessica Hendricks won the Sheep Mountain 150 at 12:30 pm Sunday:

...with 11 strong dogs and a smile on her frosted face.

An article by Jillian Rogers in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner also reported Hendricks' win:

The 26-year-old Iditarod veteran won the race with a total running time of 12 hours, 52 minutes, beating out Allen Moore of Two Rivers by six minutes and Whitehorse, Yukon’s Hans Gatt, who was just two minutes behind Moore. Kasilof’s Jon Little was a minute behind Gatt, the three-time Quest winner. Jeff King, who has won the Iditarod four times was fifth in his first Sheep Mountain 150 with a total time of 13:17.

The News-Miner article reported more about Whitehorse musher Hans Gatt:

Gatt is mentoring Jamaican musher Newton Marshall with the goal of getting the rookie dog driver through the Yukon Quest in 2009. Marshall entered the Sheep Mountain race with some of Gatt’s top dogs for more practice before the 300-mile Copper Basin in January and the Quest in February. Marshall finished the 150-miler in 21st place.

Complete race statistics for the Sheep Mountain 150 are available at the Go Mush site, and photos of the race are available at Go Mush, with additional photos in separate albums from photographers Helen Hegener and Donna Quante.

Sheep Mountain 150 Dogs

2008-12-14T04:01:00.000-08:00

Great Expectations!

Bootying up!

Gerry Willomitzer's leaders waiting patiently

Ryan Redington's wheel dogs

Jeff King's dogs

More Jeff King dogs

Handler with Mark Sleightholme's dogs

Robert Bundzten's leaders

Robert Bundzten's dogs

Kris Boyer's Alberta leaper

Michael Suprenant replacing a bootie

Clint Warnke's team moving to the start line

Two of Nancy Yoshida's dogs

Hans Gatt's team ready to go

Blake Matray's team arrives unassisted

Dallas Seavey's serious workers

Berhard Wiljes Yukon stylin'

Yearling teammates left behind

Hey! What about me?

The Sheep Mountain 150 Start

2008-12-14T02:37:00.000-08:00

Sheep Mountain Lodge, Glenn Highway

View looking south across the Glenn Highway

Mountains behind the lodge

The Lodge

Bib #1, signed by the mushers

Lodge's holiday decor

The Sheep Mountain 150 starting point

Banner close-up

Gerry Willomitzer leading out

Team safely out onto the trail

Dressed for the occasion

Smallish spectator

A handwarmer keeps the starting watch warm

Watching the departure

All photos ©2008 by Helen Hegener, Northern Light Media.

Sheep Mountain 150

2008-12-14T01:14:00.000-08:00

Ken Anderson, photo by Helen Hegener

Initial reports from the Go Mush news team on the start of the Sheep Mountain 150 provided news, numerous photos and a race update scoreboard:

Mushers started rolling into Eureka Lodge, 50 miles, at 5 pm today, with Jessica Hendricks in first place, Sebastian Schnuelle second, and Allen Moore third. As of 8:54 pm all mushers arrived at Eureka for their first 5 hour layover. Trail breaker Stan Smith said "the trails are in great shape this year, we have a good amount of snow for the mushers, and we are out there working on them to be sure they are well marked and trouble free."

In an article titled "Hendricks leads Sheep Mountain 150 pack," with the subtitle "Schnuelle, Moore, Gatt and Little are right behind," the Anchorage Daily News staff noted:

The talented young Hendricks has finished as high as 15th in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Two years ago, she finished second at Sheep Mountain, just 21 minutes behind winner Lance Mackey.

Initial photos from the race start can be found at the Go Mush gallery, and discussion of the race is going on at the Go Mush forum.

Go Mush

2008-12-12T21:35:00.000-08:00

Theresa Daily's new Go Mush website offers many great features to help fans and mushers "Stay on Track," including race reports, breaking news and frequent updates from around the sled dog racing community. Recent posts include a report on the many long distance mushers headed to this weekend's race season opener, the Sheep Mountain 150, and a previous update on the Yukon Quest Trail conditions by Quest Trail Coordinator John Schandelmeier:

The latest updates on the Quest trail are not all good news. The Yukon River from just above Eagle downriver to near Circle is jumbled badly. Schandelmeier later notes: ...the current concensus is that the River can't be done without several feet of snow.

Also available at the dynamic new Go Mush site: a new Forum for discussion of mushing and the many upcoming sled dog races, an events calendar, musher profiles, memorial tributes, the history of mushing, product and gear reviews, mushing-related links, and much more.

Go Mush and stay on track this racing season!

ADN: Sheep Mountain 150 is Back

2008-12-12T01:03:00.000-08:00

The Anchorage Daily News posted an article by Kevin Klott, "Sheep Mountain race is back," which details this weekend's 150 mile race from Sheep Mountain Lodge to Eureka Lodge and back. The Sheep Mountain 150 was cancelled last year due to minimal snow conditions, but this year the snowfall has been good and the trails are ready for the largest field of mushers in the race's four year history:

The field includes big-name mushers such as four-time Iditarod champion Jeff King of Denali Park, perennial top-10 Iditarod finishers DeeDee Jonrowe of Willow and Ken Anderson of Fox and three-time Quest champion Hans Gatt of Canada. Missing is two-time Iditarod champion and four-time Quest winner Lance Mackey -- the 2006 Sheep Mountain champion.

Klott's article includes a listing of the mushers entered.

Yukon Quest article

2008-12-11T02:42:00.000-08:00

In an article headlined "Anderson enters the 1000-mile sled dog race for second time," the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner feature writer Matias Saari outlines the racing field for the upcoming 2009 Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race, which starts Feb. 14 in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada.

The article focuses on newest entrants Ken Anderson and Jason Mackey, noting:

...Anderson needs to determine a race goal, which requires solving a dilemma: Does he use the same dogs for both 1,000-mile events, in which case he’d hold something in reserve during the Quest, or does he race separate teams and mush more aggressively from Whitehorse to Fairbanks...

Pioneering Breeder Eva "Short" Seeley

2008-12-09T11:41:00.000-08:00

There's an interesting article by Matthew Schenker at the blog, The Dog Writer, detailing the life of pioneer Siberian Husky and Alaskan Malamute fancier Eva "Short" Seeley:

Among her numerous achievements, Ms. Seeley forever changed the look of Siberian Huskies, and she was directly responsible for AKC acceptance of the Alaskan Malamute. She owned the first champions in both these breeds, and she founded both national breed clubs. For decades, Seeley was an unofficial gatekeeper of the Siberian Husky and Alaskan Malamute, and her approval was essential for any breeder who wanted to be taken seriously.

Schenker relates the events surrounding the 1925 Great Serum Run, and how Eva Seeley and her husband, Milton, would have followed the tales of Leonhard Seppala and Togo, and Gunnar Kaasen and Balto, as they delivered the serum to halt the diphtheria epidemic. He writes:

Interviewed for a February 3, 1925, New York Times article, Kaasen described how a blizzard made it impossible for him to see either the trail or his dogs. “A gale was blowing from the northwest. I gave Balto, my lead dog, his head and trusted him. He never once faltered. Balto knew the way we were going.” The circuit of racers and dogs completed their historic run in just five days. Normally, this distance took three weeks for sleds carrying mail or supplies into Alaskan mining towns. On February 6, 1925, Senator Clarence Dill of Washington State led the United States Senate in entering the extraordinary facts of the Serum Run into the Congressional record. In his speech, Dill contrasted the Serum run with all previous races, stating, “Men had thought that the limit of speed and endurance had been reached, but a race for sport and money proved to have far less stimulus than this contest in which humanity was the urge and life was the prize.”

Schenker's article outlines an important part of Alaskan Malemute and Siberian Husky history, from how the Seeleys acquired Toto, the daughter of Seppala’s famous lead dog Togo, and how Toto helped form the foundation of Seeley’s Siberian Husky line; to how, in 1935, the AKC officially recognized the Alaskan Malamute, primarily through Seeley’s efforts.

Eva Seeley came of age in a day when Siberian Huskies and Alaskan Malamutes existed in relative obscurity, and she was one of the few who believed that these dogs could excel not only at sledding matches but also at dog shows and in people’s homes. Through absolute love and tireless dedication, Seeley saw Siberian Huskies and Alaskan Malamutes become recognized and loved throughout the country.

Libby Riddles Riding the Rose Parade Float

2008-12-08T01:07:00.000-08:00

Libby Riddles, the first woman to win the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, will ride a dogsled on Alaska's 50th anniversary of statehood float. The float, designed and created by Fiesta Parade Floats, is slated to appear in the famous New Year's Day Rose Parade in Pasadena, California, and will feature five large masks made of flowers, moss and dried blueberries, representing the five cultural groups in Alaska.

Libby Riddles won the 1985 Iditarod, making race history as she became the first woman to win after a bold move across Norton Sound in a whiteout blizzard. Libby was honored by Iditarod veterinarians with the 1985 Leonhard Seppala Humanitarian Award for the treatment of her dogs, and her lead dogs, Dugan and Sister, also won the 1985 Golden Harness Award.

The theme for the 2009 Rose Parade is Hats Off to Entertainment: a collection of the world's greatest entertainers, both past and present. The parade route is 5.5 miles long, and there are generally 45 to 50 floats, each , 20 or more marching bands, and many equestrian teams. Each float is around 60 feet long and many feature computer-driven hydraulics and animation, while the surface of each float is covered entirely with natural materials such as flowers, seeds, bark and leaves.

The first Tournament of Roses parade was staged in 1890, patterned after the "Battle of Flowers" in Nice, France. More than 1 million spectators are expected to line the parade route through Pasadena, with more than 40 million television viewers.

A Patch for Lance Mackey's Zorro

2008-12-06T02:28:00.000-08:00

A new fund-raising patch for Lance Mackey's Comeback Kennel focuses on the famous Zorro, stud dog extraordinaire and the victim of Lance's unfortunate encounter with a snowmachine at the end of last spring's All Alaska Sweepstakes race in Nome.

Designed by Mackey fan and textile wizard Sarida Steed-Bradley, of San Antonio, Texas, this unique patch will be a collector's item for any mushing enthusiast! They can be ordered for $10.00 each, postpaid, shipped via U.S. Postal Service, and approximately $7.00 of each patch order goes to support the Comeback Kennel's 2009 racing season. To place your order simply send a personal or business check or money order to: Sarida Steed-Bradley, 115 Wickes Street, San Antonio, Texas 78210-1160. Be sure to include the number of patches you'd like and your mailing address. Pay Pal account: southpaw.dogs@gmail.com

The Larry Appreciation Patch, honoring Lance's intrepid long-time leader and the only dog to win the Golden Harness Award for both the Iditarod and the Yukon Quest, is still available in limited numbers, also for $10.00 each postpaid. Join the fun, show off these beautiful patches and support the 2007 and 2008 Iditarod and Yukon Quest champion teams!

Susitna Story

2008-12-06T01:50:00.000-08:00

Selected by a pre-screening jury for inclusion in the Anchorage International Film Festival is the animated Susitna Story: An Alaskan Sled Dog Saga, by Peter Dunlap-Shohl.

Said Sal, "As if! Be serious! I'll race you out of pride. No true Alaskan dog team fears a team that's from Outside."

73 Mushers for Iditarod 37

2008-12-06T01:42:00.000-08:00

The Iditarod Trail Committee announced December 5, 2008 that 73 mushers have signed up to run the 2009 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. The most recent mushers to sign up are Iditarod Race Veterans Bill Cotter from Nenana, Alaska; Eric Rogers from Eagle River, Alaska; and David Sawatsky from Healy, Alaska . At this time 17 rookies are entered in IDITAROD XXXVII.

'Twas The Night Before Christmas - Iditarod Version

2008-12-02T03:11:00.000-08:00

'Twas The Night Before Christmas - Iditarod Version

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the dark,
Not an athlete was stirring, not even one bark!

The harnesses were hung on the dog rack with care,
In hopes that Lance Mackey soon would be there.

The mushers all seated in the snack bar nearby,
While visions of Fourth Street danced in their eye.

And Martin in his parka, just in from Big Lake,
Had just settled down for a long coffee break.

When out in the kennel there arose such a scream,
That Martin, at the table, knocked over the cream!

Away to the lobby, he flew like an eagle,
Tripped over his mukluks, his face in a giggle.

The shine on the ice, from a recent deep freeze,
Gave a luster of bad trails - this race is no breeze!

When what to all eyes should so wonderously quicken,
But a great big dog sled, dogs waggin' and lickin' !

With a cute bearded musher, as if in a trance,
That I knew in a moment it must be our Lance!

More rapid than blizzards, by trailside he came,
And he whistled and shouted, and called dogs by name!

Now Larry, now Hobo, now Hansome and Dred,
On Zorro, on Lippy, on Rapper, they sped...

To the end of the kennel, to the sides to and fro,
Now slip o'er the ice and a'truckin' we go!

As mushers before an Iditarod high,
When they dream of a smooth trail right up to the sky....

So up to the rafters the dogs, they all flew,
The dog sled, the athletes and Lance Mackey too!

And then in a twinkle was heard on the roof,
The prancing and pawing, it sounded like "Woof!" !

As the mushers were startled, and were turning around,
From the chimney Lance Mackey came down with a bound!

He was dressed all in fur, and had left his boots on,
When he slipped on some dog poop, his grace was all gone!

A bundle of bones he had flung on his back,
But they shot 'cross the room when his body went SMACK!

His eyes, they were spinning, his brain a bit more,
His cheeks were both frozen, when hitting the floor!

His droll little mouth let out such a shout,
That the mushers all trembled, and quickly ran out!

The line of a harness ended up in his teeth,
And a tug line encircled his head like a wreath!

He had a thin face and a little flat belly,
That shook when he fell like a bowl full of jelly!

He was lanky and lean, and a little bit brass,
And they laughed when they saw him fall right on his a-- !

With a blink of his eye, and a lump on his head,
He spoke not a word - I thought he was DEAD!

He spoke with a mumble, but got up with a bolt,
He couldn't see the mushers, he took such a jolt!

Laying a bootie aside of his nose,
And giving a shudder, to the roof top he rose.

He sprang to his dog sled, and gave it a shout,
With a gee and a haw, they really dug out!

But I heard him exclaim as he flew full of bluster,
"I'll be back next year, 'cause I'm suing you, buster!"

by Walt Tremer

With Apologies to Martin Buser, Lance Mackey and Clement C. Moore (and with special appreciation to Walt Tremer for his kind permission to share this!)

No 2009 Iditarod Shows

2008-11-26T18:58:00.000-08:00

Reports are coming in that the Discovery Channel will not be covering the 2009 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race:

BSSD IditaProject
Let's give a special thank you to the Discovery Channel. They certainly didn't skimp on the production values (and related costs) while providing the Iditarod and Mushing an outstanding forum. I'm sure they wanted it to succeed and to become an annual program in their lineup as much as we did, but the numbers didn't work. I'm grateful that they gave "us" their best shot, and I'm sad that it didn't work out.

Buser's Happy Trails Kennels
We wished they would have tried one more season. Seems that everyone involved learned a lot since it was the first experience with that kind of filming.

Feedback can be sent to: Discovery Communications Inc. | One Discovery Place | Silver Spring, MD 20910 or fill out the feedback form on their website.

happy trails~~~

New YouTube Video Clips

2008-11-20T18:37:00.000-08:00

We've uploaded another video clip of Lance, this time talking pretty candidly about how his team starts out a little slow, sometimes taking an hour or so to get into gear... And he comments on what he'd like to see if he's still in the game 30 years from now!

Our friend Donna Quante of Husky Productions added a wonderful music video from her new DVD, "See You in Nome!" about 2008 rookie musher Sven Haltmann. The original music by Kyf Brewer makes this one a must-see!

Sled Dog Races and Economic Realities

2008-11-19T01:36:00.000-08:00

Anchorage Daily News sports writer Craig Medred shares some astute observations about the sport of sled dog racing in an article about challenges facing the Kuskokwim 300 Sled Dog Race from Bethel to Aniak. While the piece focuses on a race official's embezzlement of funds, what Craig includes at the end of the article is perhaps the most compelling. He quotes Myron Angstman, the Kusko race chairman, and adds commentary:

"I would say all dog racing in Alaska faces a challenge,'' Angstman said. "The economy is a big issue.''

So is the ever-growing cost of participation. It costs tens of thousands to maintain a dog team and now, often as not, thousands more to enter a major race.

"There are a few people doing really well in doing dog mushing,'' Angstman said, and a lot of others struggling with the realization they've developed an extremely expensive hobby. Some are getting out.

"There is a drop off in participation in rural Alaska,'' he said. "The economics of it are certainly magnified in rural Alaska in some ways. Travel is becoming virtually prohibitive."

There has been some discussion of this growing dilemma on mushers' blogs and websites, and in forums frequented by race fans. Developments like the still-increasing Iditarod entry fee have sparked questions of where - financially - to draw the line. There was optimism that the Discovery Channels' new series, Toughest Race on Earth: Iditarod would inspire renewed enthusiasm in mushers and fans alike, and to some extent that has happened. But the harsh economic realities of the sport are only beginning to be understood. And then there's another reality, less talked about, but perhaps of even more concern, which Angstman points out:

"... In our area, we don't have many young people taking part anymore. You need a feeder system. It is such a labor-intensive, commitment-intensive sport.''

Discovery Channel's Iditarod Pages

2008-11-18T00:33:00.000-08:00

If you've been watching the Discovery Channel's Iditarod program each week, be sure to check out the Discovery Channel's special web pages dedicated to the show.

Check out biographical sketches of each musher, explore a map detailing the Iditarod Trail, watch video highlights, check out the anatomy of a dogsled and learn about the Iditarod athletes. There are even jigsaw puzzles and a fun quiz about the race - great entertainment while waiting impatiently for the last episode!

BSSD's IditaProject

2008-11-17T22:09:00.000-08:00

Bering Sea Ice, March, 2008, photo by Helen Hegener, Northern Light Media

Those who followed the Bering Strait School District's Iditaproject last spring will be happy to know this year's plans are well under way:

Iditarod Working Weekend - Going to the Dogs!
November 17th, 2008

Educators from around the district met in Unalakleet this past weekend (November 7-9, 2008) to organize, develop, and compile lessons and thematic units on the Iditarod. For the last six years, BSSD staff and students have included the Iditarod sled dog race as part of an annual thematic learning event called IditaProject. This working weekend was designed to provide staff the opportunity to work together and create quality Iditarod activities and lesson plans tied directly to BSSD standards at every instructional level and in as many content areas as possible. We have quite a growing list of resources and ready-to-teach lesson plans available on our Wiki site. Go to Iditarod Thematic Unit and scroll down to 'Collaborative Instructional Units'.

Read more at the links above!

The title of this blog

2008-11-13T18:29:00.000-08:00

When I was trying to find a title for this blog I wandered all over the place trying on names. Some were too cute, others too formal, some too oblique, others too familiar. I've always liked the name Team and Trail, and I hadn't heard the phrase in connection with any form of communications in quite a while. I knew there used to be a publication by that name, I have many back issues of it, but as far as I can determine it's gone out of print. A little searching turned up an interesting article from the Anchorage Daily News which informed me that one of last year's rookies, Deborah Bicknell, is the former publisher's daughter. I checked out Deborah's website and - sure enough! - there are photos of old issues of the original Team and Trail magazine. Sadly, it also notes that Deborah is retiring from racing.

Continuing the search, I found what must've been the publication's website, but there's nothing there except one of those ubiqitous "site under construction" graphics. I found an article from the magazine, "An Introduction to Sled Dog Sports," on a sled dog tours site in Sweden.

So, satisfied that I wasn't stepping on any currently active toes, I named this blog. If I've missed something in the process, please advise.

Welcome to Team and Trail!

2008-11-12T18:11:00.000-08:00

As stated in our header note, this site/blog is dedicated to long distance sled dog races, or just trips by dogteam, and our goal is to keep alive the history, the spirit, the passion, and the love for dog teams and the trails they run, not as any kind of comprehensive collection, but just as a place to collect the blogs and websites and other resources we find useful for research, and to make them available to anyone interested.

Whether you're a champion musher, a hardcore fan, or a newcomer to mushing and just learning the ropes, we hope this site will become a reliable source of support and resources, news and information, networking and friendships. You won't find every little thing about long distance mushing here, but we hope you'll find enough to return again and again, and to let your friends know about this resource.

So what's with the guy on the horse? That's just a childhood favorite of mine, the singing cowboy Roy Rogers, a fellow who knew a thing or two about trails. As he often sang - and it always left me feeling good when he did - Happy Trails to You!