Alaska Dog Mushers Association had their annual symposium in Fairbanks this weekend. There were lectures on a wide variety of topics. We spent a portion of Saturday and all day Sunday enjoying the talks and trade fair. In addition, both Allen and Aliy were presenters. Allen and Cim Smyth discussed mid distance race strategies during an hour presentation, while Aliy spoke about foot care on the trail and in the kennel.
Allen and Cim Smyth on Stage
Dr. Mike Davis shared the data from his most recent studies about the “super conditioning” in sled dogs. Dr. Davis then invited Jeff King, Lance Mackey and Sebastian Schnuelle to the stage to ask how they felt about this recent data. These individual comments were both different and intriguing.
Dr. Mike Davis presents his findings.
Tom “Swanny” talked about the historical aspect to dog mushing in relation to his present day “re-enactment” dog team. Dog mushing has certainly changed over the several hundred years that he has documented!
There were vendors there as well. Our local “feed store at your door”, 49 er Feed, had a display and “symposium specials” for dog food, dog dishes and bowls . There were also sled distributors, fur garments makers and information about races and clubs. If you needed and sled dog gear there were harnesses, snow hooks, sled bags and runner plastics.
Aliy and Scott Faulkner from 49er Feed
It was a great weekend to be a dog musher in Fairbanks, Alaska!
