MUSHING HIGHLIGHTS

This is a resource site for a sled dog unit taught in the middle school at Montana City School to be used by teachers and students.   This site was developed by Mark Larson , May 2, 1999.  To share additional sites or interesting information contact me at:  [email protected]
                                                     Race To The Sky pictures
 Table of contents
 
BASICS
THE WORK
RACES
PICTURES
TOURS
QUIZ
 
                                     
 

BASICS

Dog Mushing in the North
    This short overview of mushing was written by Anna Clayton, an 18 year old musher from the Northwest Territories.  She briefly explains why dogs were used for transportation in the past and their use today for recreation and sport.

Mushing Equipment
    An introduction to the basic equipment used in mushing is presented for the beginner.  Document Source: Stephan Lee.   The Entire Sleddog Article is from Cindy Tittle Moore's Dog FAQs.  Equipment covered is sleds, harnesses, lines, bags and booties.

Dog Sled Basics
    The parts of a dog sled is diagrammed and labeled.  This site was developed by Gregory Newell and Denise Nations in October of 1998.  This site illustrates very well the parts of a toboggan sled and the gang line for the team and the tug lines for a double lead set-up.

There are many types of dogs used in Mushing.  The following two sites show two popular breeds.
 

Getting Started in Sled Dog Racing With Samoyeds
    These dogs are good ambassadors to the sport of mushing as they are an impressive looking team.  Their value as race dogs is limited though as they are not fast.  They have a long history as sled dogs and have been major parts of many expeditions. This sight was developed by the Chinookwind kennel and provides information on how to get started traing a team.  It also links to a page that details the equipment needed and an estimated cost for each piece.

Adkins Alaskan Huskies
    Terry Adkins is a highly respected musher who has raced in over 20 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Races.  Terry raises a line of dogs known as Alaskan Huskies.  Terry lives in Sand Coulee, MT. This site was developed by Moonlight Mountain Kennel & Supply as Terry was preparing to run his 21st Iditarod Race in 1998.  It gives his Bio and briefly explains his line of dogs.  It also shows a cart he has developed for traing purposes.

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THE WORK

Kennel Tips
    Proper care of the dogs is important.  This is true not only during races and in training but also back at the kennel where the dogs live and the musher has daily chores.  This is an excellent site from Sled Dog Central.  It presents information on many aspects of mushing including dog yard, equipment, feeding, health, housing, and training.  This site also has a link to another useful site
Art Stoller "20 Tips for Successful Sled Dog Racing."

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RACES

    There are several types of racing in mushing.  Sprint racing is shorter distances and fewer dogs.  The distances covered in a race could be just a few miles up to 20 or 30 miles.  Mid distance and long distance races are from about 100 miles to over a thousand mile in distances.  A newer form of racing is patterned after bicycle racing and is run in daily stages.  The links below are to mid to long distance races and to a stage race held in Wyoming.

Iditarod --The Last Great Race
    This is the main event in the world of sled dog racing.  It is held every March in Alaska.  This site is owned and run by The Iditarod Trail Committee.  It explains the Joe Redington Story the founder of the Iditarod.  This site offers information about the race and links to pages with maps of the trail, musher info, ect. Only twice has the race been won by a musher from the lower 48 states and both times it was Doug Swingley from Montana.(By S.J. KOMARNITSKY,  Daily News reporter ).
The Anchorage Daily News @ the Iditarod  This is a good meta-site about the Iditarod.  It is also linked to the story above on Doug Swingley.

    Links to web sites on the other major long distance races held each year.
John Beargrease
Race to the Sky
Yukon Quest

The International Rocky Mountain Stage Stop Sled Dog Race (IRMSSSDR)
    Anewer type of race is the stage race held in Wyoming.  This race is patterned after bicycle races where different stages are raced each day over a two week period.

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PICTURES

    The following sites show pictures of mushers, teams running, and the various aspects of the sport.
Race To The Sky pictures
Dog Mushing

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TOURS

    Snowcrest Kennels in Seeley Lake Montana gives sled dog rides and allows interested people to drive their own team.  This kennel is run by Bill and Cindy Gallea, both finishers of the Iditarod race.  This year, Jim there son also finished the Iditarod.  This is the only family to have a Mother, Father, and Child to all complete an Iditarod.

Table Of Contents


 

SLED DOG QUIZ

    See what you know.  I was able to answer about half the questions.  Most I did not have a clue.
 

To share additional sites or interesting information contact me at:  [email protected]

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