8,000 miles by dog sled

Did you know that more people have climbed Mt. Everest than have competed in and finished the Iditarod. A lot can be said about the 1049 mile race from Anchorage to Nome on the back of a dog sled. Just think about how far 1,049 miles really is… It is about the distance from Denver, CO to Minneapolis, MN. That is a long way!

Some people, me included, train for years to compete in this race. Some people lose everything trying: their life savings, their families, their wives. Others can only do it with the help of major corporate sponsors or on a shoe-string budget eating Top Ramen soups and generic coffee, no more trips to Starbucks.

(Rewind: What is mushing? )

But there is one guy, way back at the turn of the century. Not this century, but last, attempted and did the near impossible. He mushed from Nome, AK to Washington, DC. His name is Eli Smith, an Alaskan mail carrier, and he even pocketed a $10,000 wager on this adventure.

So the next time you want to chase a dream of competing and finishing a “mere” thousand miler think about Eli.

(Rewind: The mail: Delivering the mail by dog sled )

Let it be known, I am not suggesting the Iditarod is a piece of cake. Far from it. It will be the hardest thing I probably ever do in my life, I can only imagine 8,000 miles!

I welcome your comments and suggestions. Please comment below.

 

 

Robert Forto | Team Ineka | Alaska Dog Works | Mushing Radio | Dog Works Radio | Denver Dog Works

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Dr. Robert Forto is a musher training for his first Iditarod under the Team Ineka banner and the host of the popular radio shows, Mush! You Huskies and Dog Works Radio Shows