How would I go about racing the Iditarod??
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Okay, so this is admittedly not really on-point with MountainProject, but I want to ask my friends on MP.com how I would go about racing the Iditarod. I've got Aconcagua scheduled for December and Denali scheduled for next May (7 Summits bound), and I got to thinking that attempting the crazy-prestigious Iditarod would be an amazing thing to do once in my life (especially while I'm still young). I figure you have to start somewhere, so here come all of my questions. |
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While you are there you should also consider killing a bear with your hands, arguing with a local in one of their lovely bars and running for governor, |
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You can't just sign up for the Iditarod! You have to qualify by racing in other races before being allowed in. Also, where is your dog team going to come from. No legitimate musher is going to let someone borrow a team, especially someone with no experience. |
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Have you read 'My Lead Dog Was A Lesbian '? |
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I will let you borrow my dog if she can be the leader. |
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Watch part of the race, or volunteer; see if someone feels friendly toward a camp follower. Mushers are a community with a shared passion, after all, and it isn't too far fetched to think they all were beginners at some point. If it appeals, you make some friends, aren't an ass, then those folks would probably steer you toward the next steps. The people who raise, train, and live with the dogs are not necessarily the same ones who do the racing. |
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s.price wrote:This is either a weak troll or the dumbest thing to show up on MP in quite awhile. No wonder bearbreeder is no longer around. If the OP was Daniel Day Lewis I might buy it. That guy can act his way through anything and still come out on top.Oh c'mon. You sound like an old lady. Maybe he is, maybe he isn't, but so what? The only "reasonable" things on your list of other interests are "good whiskey and one woman", and some would debate your sanity on those! P.S. how many guitars are too many? Sorta curious, as our house seems to be shrinking. Helen |
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My friend recently shared your post with me. I run a kennel of 60 sled dogs that compete in Iditarod every year. I competed in the Iditarod last year and am hoping to run again in 2018. Running Iditarod is a 2 year commitment. Leasing dogs is an option. Don't worry about gear until you talk to someone to rub dogs with, they will be your best resource. |
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climbing coastie wrote:You can't just sign up for the Iditarod! You have to qualify by racing in other races before being allowed in. Also, where is your dog team going to come from. No legitimate musher is going to let someone borrow a team, especially someone with no experience. I really hope this is a troll, because we are all screwed if this is what the world is coming to!!!Thanks for the useless response. I half expected that best case scenario I'd get maybe 20% helpful advice, though. If you'll learn to read, you'll also see that I specifically mention knowing about the qualifying races. Additionally, the practice of leasing teams is NOT unheard of. Joe Reddington, a guy actually called "Father of the Iditarod," has leased out team of dogs to prospective racers. Vern Halter, who has finished in top 5 of 3 Iditarod races, also leases dogs, including the entire team that Brazil's Luan Marques used to complete the 2013 Iditarod. Even the legendary Mitch Seavey who has competed in every Iditarod since 1995 and won twice, has said he sees nothing wrong to leasing a team to someone if they love the sport and love dogs. Maybe, before posting useless comments because someone aspires to achieve something to which you would never aspire, you should make sure what you're saying is 1) accurate and 2) helpful. Remember, as one helpful member actually noted, at some point everyone was a rookie in whatever may be their respective activity. Thanks to everyone who DOES post helpful stuff! |
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Sarah Stokey wrote:My friend recently shared your post with me. I run a kennel of 60 sled dogs that compete in Iditarod every year. I competed in the Iditarod last year and am hoping to run again in 2018. Running Iditarod is a 2 year commitment. Leasing dogs is an option. Don't worry about gear until you talk to someone to rub dogs with, they will be your best resource. Feel free to shoot me an email: sarah@sewardhelicopters.comThanks, Sarah! I just now read the PM your friend had sent me with your email. I'll email you tomorrow when I'm at my computer! |
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From what i've read they don't just race dog teams. You can do the course on Cross country skis right after. That would be much more arduous that riding a sled. |
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Eric Thompson wrote:From what i've read they don't just race dog teams. You can do the course on Cross country skis right after. That would be much more arduous that riding a sled. iditarodtrailinvitational.com or on foot... Eric m.youtube.com/user/freesoloEwwww that sounds like no fun at all! |
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Tennessee, eh? Sure you're name isn't Sam McGee? |
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Don MacKenzie wrote:Tennessee, eh? Sure you're name isn't Sam McGee?Haha! Never heard of that poem! |
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So as an update, I've gotten in touch with Rod Whaley, the only Tennesseean ever to qualify for the Iditarod. I'll post his responses to a bunch of my questions as we continue our conversation. Thanks again to everyone who has been helpful. |