Photography and Photo Tours: Specializing in Alaska's Wild Lands & Wild Life
The Iditarod is over 1150 miles long. 1150 miles. That’s like driving from Chicago to Orlando. Let that sink in, just for a minute… You know when your parents told you to stop complaining; that they had to walk to school, in 0 degrees (and colder), in the snow, uphill, both ways… Well imagine riding a dog sled from Anchorage to Nome, in March. In the cold (yeah, those rumors you may have heard, “winter in Alaska is cold” – they were pretty much spot on), in the snow, uphill… both ways. Now, imagine you are the lead dogs in a group of 12 to 16 dogs, looking ahead at a landscape dominated by jagged mountain ranges or flat open nothingness. All of it is wilderness, desolation, cold… and yes, uphill both ways. I love dogs. Dogs are fun, great companions, and can be quite crazy at times. But these dogs are amazing – and seemingly crazy at all times. They live to run, they love to pull things, and they have endless amounts of energy.
Rachael Scdoris (#58) Bend, Oregon
Lou Packer M.D. (#43) Wasilla, Alaska
Lou Packer M.D. (#43) Wasilla, Alaska - Big props to this home town musher. I heard him coming, but not because of his dogs. He was thanking everyone for coming out and supporting the mushers and dogs. The cheering only got louder. At this point, he (and his team) had already been on the trail for over 50 miles. Best of luck & safety, Dr. Packer.
Lance Mackey (#47) Fairbanks, AK - 2 time Iditarod Champion (back to back wins) & 4-time Yukon Quest Champion
Martin Buser (#33) Big Lake, AK - numerous Leonhard Seppala Award Winner (awarded to the musher who treats his dogs with the most humanitarian care) & Iditarod Champion. Oh, and he LOVES dogs. http://www.buserdog.com/
Jeff King (#41) Denali, AK - 4 time Iditarod Champion
I only got to photograph it for 1 day this year, but it really wet my appetite. I’m going to be starting a personal project for next years Iditarod.
I want to take this time to wish all the athletes a safe and fast journey – oh, and the mushers too:) Everyone of these racers (dog and musher alike) live by my motto. I’d rather die attempting to live, than live my whole life attempting not to die. Don’t take this as a death wish, rather a wish for my life.
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You should volunteer then. I did for seven years in a row and had a blast. Met some great people.
Nice shots – gotta love those pooches…