Mark Selland, 57, was born and raised in Minot, North Dakota. After receiving his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of North Dakota, he went to medical school, graduating from Washington University in St. Louis in 1983. He moved to Seattle, where he did his residency in internal medicine and while there, developed an interest in mountaineering and high altitude medicine. In 1988, he came to Alaska to work in a high altitude research lab at 14,000 ft. on Mt. McKinley. Over subsequent years, he participated in many climbing expeditions in the Pacific Northwest, Alaska and the Himalaya. In 1993 he had the good fortune to summit Mt. Everest. After doing cardiology training in Denver, he moved to Alaska in 1996 where he has worked for the Alaska Heart Institute since. He says, “I have enjoyed the abundant outdoor opportunities that living in Alaska affords, including mountaineering, floating arctic rivers, catching big fish and hiking out our back door in the Chugach. Over the past couple of years, I got hooked on dogs too. My first experience mushing was on a commercial tour in Denali National Park. My wife had been training dogs for ski joring and sprint mushing for years. For the last three years, I have worked as a handler for Robert Bundtzen in Anchorage and have slowly worked my way into racing. I have developed a deep respect for the athletic abilities of these amazing animals and enjoy being around mushers. My desire to do the Iditarod comes from an adventuring spirit, the chance to work with these great athletes and the many challenges that come with mushing.” Mark is married to Kathy and is a member of the American Alpine Club. He lists his hobbies as climbing, skiing, travel and lutieria (guitar building.)