Sanka W. Dog

Running Iditarod in Five Different Decades

In 1977 Bob Chlupach attempted and completed his rookie Iditarod. In total he’s completed ten Iditarods over four decades. The 2012 race makes for running an Iditarod in each of five decades. After graduating with a degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Biology from Iowa State University, Chlupach took a fisheries job in Juneau. Once he …

Zoom Lens – Sibes Rock and Roll

During the supper hour on March 8th, there was a flurry of activity in teams leaving McGrath. Pat Moon, leaving with 10 of his 12 dogs from Middy Johnson’s Unalakleet team departed at 17:26 followed by Hank Debruin’s Siberians at 17:41 and Karen Ramstead’s Sibes at 17:48. There wasn’t a reluctant starter in the whole …

Zoom Lens – Hello Moose!

Moose are having a hard winter. The abundance of snow has made it very difficult for them to forage for food and it’s made it difficult for the large hoofed animals to move around. Moose are seen in places they normally wouldn’t be found, places were it’s easier to find food and places where it’s …

Race Picture Comes into Focus

Who’s leading the race? In the early days and miles of the race, it’s a mathematical challenge to know who’s leading the race. But once the teams have taken the long twenty-four hour layover, the picture comes into focus. When a driver declares the team’s mandatory rest, they’ll be staying put for a full twenty-four …

Zoom Lens – Siberians in McGrath

The Siberians and a whole lot of other teams are resting in McGrath. Hank Debruin came off the Kuskokwim RIver Wednesday afternoon at 16:52 followed by Karen Ramstead at 17:26. Folks tend to flock to the checker’s station to see the handsome Siberians. Both teams came in with a lot of spirit – tails and …

Zoom Lens – Baker follows Zirkle into McGrath

Eight hours after the PenAir Spirit of Alaska award was presented, thirty more teams have made their way into the checkpoint of McGrath. John Baker followed Aliy Zirkle by about half an hour. Baker, Zirkle and nearly the entire front half of the field continued right on to Takotna, 18 miles up the trail. It’s …

Zoom Lens – Zirkle and Baker race to McGrath

Flying over the Alaska Range in a Cessna is a trip! The two hour flight is filled with incredible scenery on clear days – including an awesome view of Denali. The mountain wasn’t out today but there was plenty of scenery going over Rainy Pass. Traveling above the trail as it runs above the Dalzell …

Zoom Lens – Musher Banquet XL

In just a couple of days, teams will be passing through the Yentna Station checkpoint at mile forty of the 40th Iditarod. Sixty-six mushers drew bib numbers night at the Musher Banquet. Joe Redington, known to all as the father of the Iditarod has a pair of grandsons who’ll be the bookends of the mushers …

Zoom Lens – Junior Iditarod

The Juniors arrive at Yentna Station Roadhouse about the same time the snow begins to fall. They’ll take a ten-hour rest before running seventy-five miles to the finish at Willow.  The trail from the Knik Lake to Yentna Station was hard and fast.   These dogs are looking forward to a hearty meal and a …

Eleven Head to Start of Junior Iditarod

The Junior Iditarod mushers have drawn their bib numbers and will be heading to the staging area on Knik Lake for the 10:00 start on Saturday February 25th. The mushers ranging in age from 14 to 17 will take a seventy-five mile route out to their layover at Yentna Station Roadhouse. After resting for ten …