Climate shock - frozen Alaska from hot Arizona motorhome

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Climate shock - frozen Alaska from hot Arizona motorhome

by Bob Gordon

Alaska? It seems logical to ask why anywone would leave the warmth of Arizona to fly to frozen Alaska? Passengers on the flight responded to this question in a variety of ways, ranging from “I’m headed home” to “I have a new job as an engineer near Anchorage. Several were obviously military personnel headed for base and a few may have been headed north to watch the start of the famous Iditarod Sled Dog Race. The ceremonial start of the Iditarod was held in Anchorage on March 7, 2009 and the actual start was from Willow, AK, near the now famous Wasila, AK, on March 8.

I am one of those frozen few who has recently experienced a temperature difference of 100F or more within the 6 hrs flight from Phoenix to Anchorage. While driving north from Anchorage through the blowing snow, on icy, snow packed roads we met several trucks loaded with dog sleds, dogs and other gear headed south for the great race.

Alaska holds many challenging events in addition to the 1150+ mile Iditarod, including the 1000 mile Yukon Quest, just ended, plus shorter dog sled races and many, tough, snowmobile races.

The Iditarod Invitational Race is held just prior to the sled dog race and is open to mountain bikers and skiers who travel the same trail as the sled dogs from Willow to McGrath, a distance of 350 miles. Jeff Oately, a biker who in the past had finished 2nd to 5th, was the 2009 winner. He “rode” the 350 miles in just under 6 days, having carried his bike for an estimated 100 of those miles due to the depth of the snow. His closest competitions were nearly a day behind his pace.

The 2009 Iditarod Sled Dog race began with the 67 mushers, including 15 rookies, all knowing that they would be required to wear snowshoes and battle deep snow for a significant portion of the race. The Iditarod is the most widely known sled dog race, if not the most grueling, and is run through some of the most difficult and beautiful terrain in the entire world. Many oldtimers are convinced that the race has become far too commercial, much like a NASCAR race. You may follow the progress of the 2009 Iditarod online: www.iditarod.com or on the Fox Sports network.