The temperatures continue to drop, but the world of Iditarod is really heating up!

HAVE YOU HEARD __ Mushers don’t have to start the race with all of the supplies they will need for the duration of the race. Each musher is allowed up to three 50lb drop bags per checkpoint. A drop bag can be filled with extra supplies that the team will need throughout the race. Some of the important supplies that would be included in the bags are dog food, human food, extra clothing (gloves, socks, etc), supplements, equipment for the sled, hand warmers, extra batteries, blankets for the dogs, and anything else that might need to be replenished throughout the race. Drop bags are being stuffed and hauled off to Anchorage as preparations for Iditarod 2025 continue! 

When a musher reaches a checkpoint and is checking in with the race officials, they will be asked if they are staying at the checkpoint or going through. Some mushers will elect to go through the checkpoint after grabbing their drop bags. This could happen for a variety of reasons, including the fact that resting along the trail is less busy and quieter than at a checkpoint. However, if a musher stays, then they have the opportunity to return non-perishable items in a “return bag” that will be sent back to Anchorage and can be picked up after the race. Since only non-perishable items can be sent back in a return bag, extra dog food is often given to local families. One year the residents of Takotna were able to feed their dogs through the month of July with the leftover food from drop bags!

Matthew Failor with his drop bags. Photo Credit: Terrie Hanke.

JANUARY TRAINING __ Training this month is all about the dogs for many mushers- spending time together on the trail and building a routine. Quince Mountain, 2020 and 2025 Iditarod rookie, said that the name of the game this month is “camping”, but not camping as you might be thinking. Quince won’t be sleeping for 8 hours in a warm tent with a stomach full of s’mores. Instead, he will be getting the dogs used to the routine of sleeping and eating along the trail. He said, “we’ll look to run for a few hours, then eat a hearty meal of kibble and meat, then rest a few hours and get up and run again. We’ll repeat that cycle a few times before returning to the kennel for a day or two off where dogs’ muscles can be in active recovery before we begin another series.” 

VIBRANT VOLUNTEERS __ The volunteer highlight this month is on those who volunteer their time to help with sorting and organizing drop bags. On February 12th and 13th, volunteers will come together at the Airland Transport warehouse in Anchorage to sort and weigh all drop bags before they are sent out to the checkpoints via Iditarod Air Force. Volunteers for this position need to be fit and able to lift 50 pounds. A similar opportunity for volunteers is on February 5th, when volunteers will come together to help bag and weigh straw bales that will be distributed to the checkpoints.

Drop bags waiting to be picked up in Rainy Pass. Photo Credit: Terrie Hanke.

AT MY SCHOOL __ Over the next month, students at my school will be learning all about the Iditarod. If you are a teacher who already uses the race in your classroom, I highly recommend asking your administrator if you can share what you’re doing with your co-workers in a quick meeting. I did this 6 years ago and now my entire school uses the Iditarod as a theme in late February and early March. It’s great for morale, the students love it, and it helps to get through the long days before spring break! 

I start by meeting with teachers who are new to the building to give them information on the race, share resources, let them know how I use the race in my classroom, and let them know how we use the race as a school. I have ten fun facts that I post around the school that keep students thinking about the race while walking in the halls. 

Example of how my school displays selected mushers. Photo Credit: M. Hamilton.

I print and laminate pages that have individual mushers with their basic information (one for each classroom/office) and then teachers “draw” a musher. Selected mushers are then displayed outside each classroom and I write in the bib numbers after the banquet. Using the Iditarod Insider School subscription, teachers and their students follow the selected musher throughout the race. Many teachers will use the data from the GPS tracker and sign in/out log to guide instruction. I keep track of where the mushers are located along the trail for each classroom and give updates during school wide announcements at the beginning and end of each day. Students (and teachers) love the competition!

Let’s connect! I can be reached through email at emailtheteacher@iditarod.com. I look forward to hearing from you!