Do we have any mushers here? (Fairbanks, Central: transfer, neighborhood, movies)

[megensmom]

I am interested in knowing if we have any mushers here. If we do would you be willing to share some photos? My son has taken a huge interest in mushing and I thought maybe some here were mushers and wouldn't mind telling people about their team and stuff like that.

[arctichomesteader]

Not here but on the AK forums at outdoorsdirectory there's a person (bushrat I think was his username) who runs a trapline with dogs instead of snowmachines somewhere in the bush. Should be pics there somewhere.

[mongazid]

Alaska Dog Mushing - Alaska Outdoors Forums
here you go

[Marty Van Diest]

Originally Posted by megensmom

I am interested in knowing if we have any mushers here. If we do would you be willing to share some photos? My son has taken a huge interest in mushing and I thought maybe some here were mushers and wouldn't mind telling people about their team and stuff like that.

I'm an ex-dog musher. I can answer basic questions. I grew up in the bush Pre-snomachine era. Yes...I'm that old. We had to use dogs.

And then I had my own dog team for awhile, trapped with dogs some too.

I'm not much into racing but do follow the long distance races.

In my opinion there is no better Alaskan experience than running dogs alone by moonlight on a still, cold, Alaska night. It's magical to stand on the runners watching the moonlight glinting off the snow crystals while your swish almost silently over the trail.

[megensmom]

Gee Marty you should be writing for the movies that was beautiful. Thanks for the links.

[DreamChasers8]

I agree, I can picture it perfectly

[Marty Van Diest]

Originally Posted by megensmom

Gee Marty you should be writing for the movies that was beautiful. Thanks for the links.

Gee....thanks. Or is that gee...haw!

Not sure how old or large your child is but you can start with just one dog. Even if he is fully grown you can use one dog with skis. Use cross-country skis and poles with a long line between you and the dog. Make sure to get a good fitting harness. Also, use a bungee cord on the tow rope to take up the shock. Start out slowly and it will work out.

Or if you have access to a sled, one dog and child works fine too. You should be able to pick up a decent sled dog for free up in your neck of the woods. For sure, don't get more than 3 dogs at the beginning.

It's a great sport for keeping away cabin fever.

Don't get too many dogs right away. A dog team is a lot of work and will tie you down. You have to take care of them every day. But when you get out on the trail and everything is working fine you will think it's all worth it.

[Moose Whisperer]

Originally Posted by Marty Van Diest

Don't get too many dogs right away. A dog team is a lot of work and will tie you down. You have to take care of them every day.

...And nosy neighbors will often get their undergarments in a twist. In fact, many neighborhood covenants are written to prevent such things. Best to check to be sure if you're OK.

[akck]

Originally Posted by Moose Whisperer

...And nosy neighbors will often get their undergarments in a twist. In fact, many neighborhood covenants are written to prevent such things. Best to check to be sure if you're OK.

I'd be willing to bet that Central, AK has no neighborhood covenants.

[megensmom]

Yeah no convenants here and NO neighbors for a little more than 1 mile. My son is 17 and he is already paying on a sled and equipment from a person who used to mush (getting a pretty good deal to I must say) He is currently skiing with 2 dogs 1 gee/haw leader and 1 young dog. We also have 2 pups for next year. He got his skis thanks to the transfer site down in Fairbanks. He is really into this,I'm pretty impressed. He cooks for the dogs,exercises them,and does all care for them,I supervise but he calls them his dogs and I can see a bond growing between them. He has a stack of mushing books that he has been reading and just started the first Trapline Twins book.