Made it to the checkpoint for the specific purpose of seeing Larry Daugherty depart.  Specifically, I wanted to see the new style Seavey spreader harness that he was using and I wanted to ask him what he watches and thinks about on the trail mile after mile after mile.

For the harness, the first rendition of the spreader harness has a straight piece that separates the sides out past the dog’s rear end.  The new version has a titanium piece that bends outward behind the dog while still spreading the harness.  As to effective forces applied to pulling the sled and a better pulling angle for the athlete, the Seavey Spreader has stayed around.  Actually, it’s very similar to the hook up for horses used by farmers.  Daugherty said the new version of the harness also has another advantage.  It gives the dog a little more room to poop and miss the spreader.  Hmnn, Larry didn’t think it was all that successful.

As to what Larry watches while on the trail, it’s the dogs and the scenery.  The dogs come first.  Larry dedicates two minutes of every hour to each dog.  He watches gait, tug line and attitude.  He stops each hour to adjust things like tug lines and booties.  He snacks every two hours.  He enjoys the scenery and listens to music too.  He might have a little time to “dream” up equipment improvements but the dogs are his main focus.

Larry was meticulous as he moved through his team to boot and harness.  His routine was very efficient and one could tell his dogs knew exactly what to expect.  I didn’t time him but for a rookie musher he moved with purpose and accomplished the task as quickly and efficiently as some veterans with many years of experience.

Here he comes out of the checkpoint

Daugherty has his grandmother to thank for his Iditarod experience.  Grandma was a huge Iditarod fan in general but specifically followed Susan Butcher.  When Larry was 10, Susan won her first Iditarod (1986).  She was the person to beat for the next five years.  Butcher claimed Iditarod gold in ’86, ’87, ’88 and ’90.  Joe Runyan intervened in”89 as Butcher tried to make it four in a row.  From the age of 10, Larry knew he wanted to run Iditarod.

In high school he was a member of a very successful debate team.  He credits his debate coach with teaching the value of hard work, perseverance and dedication and changing his life’s pathway.

Being that she planted the seed for Larry’s iditarod dreams, his grandmother was with him as he took to the trail.  He carried her ashes and spread them in Rainy Pass undoubtedly saying a heartfelt and emotional thank you for her inspiration.

On the way out of the checkpoint, Larry impressed all with his driving ability down the steep bank onto the river.  With roughly eighty mushers leaving before hime, Larry had to navigate the deep groove created by mushers riding their brake.  He did it skillfully and with grace.

There he goes to Takotna