The Iditarod Alphabet 2017
F is for Fairbanks

Fairbanks, AK is the second largest city in the state.  Due to low snowfall in some spots along the traditional trail, the Iditarod will start on March 6 in Fairbanks.  This is the third time this has occurred (2003 & 2015).  Fairbanks was named by E.T. Barnette, its founder, to honor Senator Charles W. Fairbanks of Indiana.  Charles Fairbanks went on to serve as Teddy Roosevelt’s vice president.  The current population of Fairbanks is 32,070.

F is for Fairbanks

Being flexible and going with the flow has been the name of the game today.  My day started out at Knik Lake, with the beginning of the Jr. Iditarod.  This year there are thirteen mushers ages 14-17 years old racing.  They each started with a team of 10 dogs (except one who started with 9), and head off 75 miles to Yentna Station.  The junior mushers have a big fire once they get to Yentna, and then they get their teams bedded down for the night.  Once at Yentna they rest for 10 hours before returning to the Willow Community Center. 

After the mushers left Knik Lake my plan was to fly out to Yentna, but the fog never lifted.  After much discussion, it was decided that we would snow machine out.  So, I hopped on the back of a snow machine (Jr. Iditarod Board Member, Emily Dinges in the drivers’ seat) and we began the 3 hour trek out.  I compared the experience to being in the video game Mario Cart.  We went up and down, through the woods, across lakes, and made our way through the Alaskan wilderness.  It was breathtaking (and a little chilly). 

Once we arrived I help set up the dropped dog section, and then enjoyed dinner with Iditarod finisher, Bob Somers, and one of the trail breakers.  Once we finished dinner, Emily and I headed out to check on the mushers and their dogs.  The teams were looking great, and getting rest.  The teenagers were around the fire sharing stories and keeping warm. 

My first day at Yentna was fantastic, despite our late minute change in travel plans.  And these aren’t the only travel plans that have changed recently.  The Iditarod route has been moved to Fairbanks this year, because there isn’t enough snow in the mountains.  Along with a change in location, the race will also start a day later on Monday, March 6.  Be sure to get your classroom insider subscription so you can keep up with all your favorite mushers as they make their way from Fairbanks to Nome.