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May 5, 2014 by

As I was traveling down the trail between Nikolai and McGrath during Iditarod this year I remember thinking “I bet folks would like to see what the view looks like from the back of my sled.” Well… here you go.

I talk a little about my handlebar headlight, snow hooks, ax, surf board leash, ski poles and drinking thermos with a straw. Then I show parts of my sled: my brake and drag matt. You can see the foot pads that I stand on for miles and miles. There are two pockets on the top of the sled bag. The one closest to me holds: spare gloves, human snacks, headlight and sunglasses. The one at the base holds dog snacks.

As an after thought, I mention the bright orange bootie that holds my GPS tracker: an essential piece of equipment because race fans could actually see where I was throughout the race. Also, as it turned out, the SPOT Tracker was a critical piece of equipment for some mushers who had broken bones, sleds or attitudes and needed to call for help while still on the trail. I never did open my orange bootie and see my SPOT Tracker, but I assume it was the same as every other SPOT Tracker on the Iditarod and had two separate button options to call for assistance. One says “SOS” and one says “Help!” There was one other Tracker on my sled but it had no assistance buttons and was only a GPS locator. This was an entirely new system of tracking Iditarod Mushers this year. The GPS tracker units of prior races never had any assistance buttons.
It is a new age.

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11 Responses

  • Thanks so much for this video!

    It was prescient do a short video about the sled and especially the help button, considering what would transpire in the days ahead.

    I would think that the "help" button only is truly helpful if the lead dog is the one to make the decision when to call it quits.

    Obviously, some mushers don't communicate with their lead dogs – or listen to their advice.

    SP Kennel always puts dogs first (and "glory" second) and that's why you guys are the best. Hands (and paws) down!!!

  • Thanks for the video!! The Sled and it's contents must feel like home sweet home for the 9 days out on the trail! Very cool!! The GPS trackers added an entirely new perspective for us fans when they started being used…..it really enhanced our Arm Chair Mushing enjoyment…..then this year with the HELP and SOS capabilities they now offer something to the Musher too (hopefully just peace of mind and not inviting risk…may the responsible mushers prevail!). It is ironic that it was this race…one of the toughest ever, that this new feature became available to the mushers. A new era indeed! So glad you didn't need to use it!! Your video makes me miss racing season….7 months away and counting!

  • Just want to say "THANK YOU" for the DogLog and all the great content it provides all year long.
    Your's is a first class operation and you have every reason to be proud of it.

  • "The hold on for your dear life handle bar," the brake, the drag that's "supposed" to be able to stop or slow down the dogs, and a whole new perspective this year!!!
    My favorite part of the sled tour …. the GPS tracker that keeps us fans glued to our computers day and night, excited to see how you are doing.
    Thanks Aliy <3

  • What a great video Aliy!!! Thank you for sharing it with us!

    That is a well packed sled! I agree with Nessmuck, very glad you did not have to use neither the Help nor the SOS button!

    And, as always, the pups look great!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂

  • Hi Aliy,
    I guess I always thought you had the sled zipped up. Does this mean that most of the time it is open like you have it in the video?
    Thanks for the video.
    KB

  • Thanks so much for the video, Aliy. You all provide the best and most complete info. SPK rocks! The dogs look fabulous.

  • Aliy you and those pups are like medicine! Thank you for Sharing- my body may be in California but my spirit is in Alsska!

  • Thanks Aliy… Thanks for sharing the video. I am always interested in learning anything and everything about mushing. Will see you and Allen again next year at the races. Love talking to you. I am coming up end of July, first of Aug. maybe if you sign up, or Allen signs up for the YQ, I'll will see you then. I want to be there for the first day of the musher signing. I Always come to the races, but never been to the signing. Oh, I am that girl from Florida..Connie… I sit with Allen and his starter at the luncheon. I think he will remember me. The one asking so many questions about mushing. You and Allen came by Brent's sled, right before the YQ start this year to talk to Brent, and Allen gave me some advice of what not to do when riding in the starter sled. Like, if I was going to turn over don't put arms out. Tell Allen, Brent was AWESOME, and didn't throw me out. LOL I had a blast. Oh, Steve Stroller did a AWESOME job to driving the starter sled. Thanks again for your time you take to show this videos. Connie from Florida

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