What happens at checkpoints doesn’t stay at checkpoints because we’re sharing the story with you.  Dogs are priority one!  When a musher arrives in a checkpoint, the first order of life on the trail is taking care of the dogs!

A picture tells a story.

When Wade Marrs came into the McGrath checkpoint during the 2016 Iditarod, he signed in with the checker so that his time and race data could be sent to HQ Comms and listed on the website.  Wade then parked his dog team, petted, played, and spoke to each dog as he took all the dog’s booties off the dogs.

Making sure dogs have a warm and comfortable place to rest, ITC sends out straw to all checkpoints prior to the start of the race.  Mushers get this straw when they get to a checkpoint.

Wade got a bag of straw and put some out for each dog so each would have a nice place to rest . Wade then chopped up some frozen meat.  He put some dry dog food with the meat in a big pan of hot water to cook up a meal. He fed each dog. All this time, Wade was talking with the three veterinarians who were examining his dogs . When the meal was over, Wade picked up the empty dog bowls.  He then gave an insider interview followed by a TV interview. Wade’s chores weren’t over yet. Wade picked up all the dog booties and trash.  He made sure all his dogs were comfortable and happy. 

Wade then went inside the checkpoint where he got a bite to eat.

This is what happens when mushers arrive at checkpoints… The musher signs in, takes care of the dogs and does chores before taking time to get a a meal and perhaps a bit of rest.  The needs of the dogs comes before the needs of the musher.  It’s what happens at checkpoints!

*Contributing journalist and photographer, Mike Kenney