Norris = Mushing = Siberians. Lisbet Norris has been around Siberians all her life and not long ago she announced she was interested in running the Last Great Race, Iditarod. Grandparents Earl and Natalie Norris established Alaskan Kennel long ago and today it’s the oldest Siberian kennel in the world. Norris, a third generation musher is on the Iditarod Trail today with a team of very handsome Siberians.
Lisbet came into McGrath and declared her long rest. The team was parked on the side of the checkpoint, parallel to the Kuskokwim River. As the sky was clear, the Sibes sprawled out to soak up a few rays and catch some ZZzz’s. Demonstrating a methodical and efficient routine for dog care, Lisbet fed and cared for the dogs then had time to care for herself with well deserved sleep. Sleep and eat would be the routine for both the canine athletes and their musher/coach for the next 24-hours.
Periodically Lisbet would cook a meal for the dogs who ate and then went back to snoozing. Lisbet would do the same. On one of those feedings I had the opportunity to ask Lisbet about the early part of the race. Specifically, what was her secret to descending the Gorge? Lisbet walked me to the back of the sled and pointed to an impressive drag pad saying, “That’s what got me here safely. I wasn’t praying to God on that part of the run, I was thanking God for the person who made this drag pad for me.” Typical drag pads are made of snowmachine track with a few sharp studs attached. The musher stands on the pad to slow and gain control of the sled. This drag pad extraordinaire was three times the size of a regular pad with 17 serious spikes. The drag pad held up well through the Gorge and gave the control Norris needed. The attachments were the weak point. Lisbet says thanks to her mother who taught her splices so she was able by pass the nuts, bolts and “O” rings and reattach the pad with iron rope. Her dogs took the icy descent at a cautious pace and followed commands.
Norris’ team is made up of all males except Ruby. Ruby runs single lead and the two females on the team, they keep the males in line. Lisbet trusts Ruby and wants her in lead all the time but especially when the trail is tough.
Siberians aren’t known for their speed but when asking those who run the handsome dogs why they’ve chosen pretty over speedy, they answer quickly and decisively. Siberians have so much character, they are very cerebral and intuitive. They are clever, loving, athletic, energetic and have a zest for life. Ask Lisbet, Karen Ramstead and Mike Ellis, mushers who have or are running Sibe teams in Iditarod and this list will get much longer.
Lisbet grew up in Willow then continued her education at University of Alaska – Fairbanks. There she realized her soulful interest in the north and people living in the north. She not only studied in both Norway and on Baffin Island but she worked as a musher and expedition guide. Lisbet soon realized that the family love for Siberians and long distance mushing were a part of who she was. Time in nature and time with dogs became her goal and so she returned to Willow to work with the family business, Underdog Feeds, and run dogs from the Family kennel. The team Lisbet has on the trail are AKC registered Siberian Huskies.
Norris took the trail out of McGrath at 03:31 Friday morning with twelve happy Siberians. Yes, Ruby was up front in single lead. Can’t wait to see them further down the trail.
