Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod by Gary Paulsen
The Iditarod, Alaska’s most famous sled dog race, takes stage front and center in Paulsen’s memoir.
Teams of Siberian Huskies or Alaskan Malamute dogs run over 1000 miles in wintertime Alaska. Begun in 1973, this race is held every March averaging 10 days on trail. Men and women take teams of 10-15 dogs through 25 checkpoints on this endurance race.
Gary Paulsen didn’t set out to race dogs. As the opening of this short memoir, Paulsen has made a series of financial decisions that’s ended him and his family in remote Minnesota. Familiar with running dog teams as a trapper, he begins to see that line of work less humane than before.
A few fascinating experiences with his dog team, some having your grinning and laughing create the perfect storm for Paulsen to dream big. He is going to race the Iditarod. Armed with a heavy dose of enthusiasm, penchant for the unusual, Paulsen pieces together training gear out of junkyard gems for his team.
On one of his first treks out, he has them pulling an old car only to have multiple run ins with nocturnal skunks. The dogs loved the chase but poor Paulsen ended in the literal doghouse after that night.
His fervor, at the beginning, makes up for his inexperience. With a donated truck, whose heating system does not work, Paulsen and his wife head to Alaska with their team of dogs. Before that trip however, Paulsen recounts sordid tales of training that will have you howling in laughter.
Plastic crates, wheelbarrows and undisciplined dogs make for some crazy stories. Yet through it all, Paulsen perseveres, living with his dogs and learning what they need from him.
Paulsen describes his bone chilling (-60 degrees F) days on the trail, sleep deprived hallucinations and VIP treatment from local tribes during his days racing. This race has strict rules for humans and dogs alike. Paulsen recounts an emotional story of dog abuse on the trail, reporting this musher to authorities.
It is apparent he deeply loves these dogs, caring for them and being part of their life. By the end of the race, you are cheering on his team, celebrating the obstacles he overcame and most importantly seeing his deep love for his friends, the dog pack.
A fast read or listen (6 hours on Audible), this is the perfect weekend read. Grab a cup of tea (or whiskey), hunker down and stay warm while reading of this fascinating journey through Alaska’s wildest lands.
Want to know more about the Iditarod? Check out these links.
Iditarod Historic Trail Alliance: What is the race and how did it start?