A sled dog team rests after an exhausting run.
For thousands of years, dog sledding was the only way to traverse the frozen tundra of Alaska. Teams of dogs hitched to a sled transported people, goods and even mail. Sled dogs were as crucial to the development of the Far North as horses were to American westward expansion. Although traveling by dog sled is no longer a common mode of transportation in Alaska, the tradition is preserved through competitive races and guided tours.
Origins
Paleontologists and historians believe that dog sledding originated in Siberia and was introduced to northern Canada and Alaska by nomadic tribes traveling across the Bering Strait thousands of years ago. The tribes were likely hunters following herds of big game, and the crossing of the Bering Strait probably occurred over a span of centuries.
All Alaska Sweepstakes
The All Alaska Sweepstakes originated in 1908 with the development of the Nome Kennel Club. The race provided entertainment for the local population, promoted tourism and encouraged the development of stronger, faster sled dog breeds.
Mushers race from Nome to Candle and back, a 408-mile loop. John "Iron Man" Johnson holds the record for fastest completion of the race, crossing the finish line in 74 hours, 14 minutes in 1910.
The All Alaska Sweepstakes fell in and out of popularity throughout the years, making a major comeback in 1983 and celebrating a centennial race in 2008.
The Nome Serum Run
In 1925, the remote Alaskan town of Nome experienced a diphtheria epidemic. Diphtheria is highly contagious and often fatal, and the town doctor only had enough antitoxin for five people. Because of frigid temperatures and lack of infrastructure, it was impossible for the diphtheria vaccine to reach the town by plane or train.
A supply of diphtheria antidote was shipped by rail from Anchorage to Nenana, the closest town to Nome with railroad access. From there, a relay team of 20 dog mushers transported the lifesaving medicine 674 miles to the town.
Iditarod
Gold seekers forged the Iditarod Trail in the 1920s, and it became the primary "road" through the remote parts of Alaska. Dog sleds were the only way to travel long distances at that time, and the trail was a crucial part of Alaskan settlement. The trail fell out of use when mechanized transportation reached the region.
In the early 1960s, Dorothy Page proposed a race using the trail as a means of historic preservation. The first race, only 27 miles, was held in 1967. In 1973, the race was expanded to a length of more than 1,000 miles. Today, the race has a ceremonial start in Anchorage and an official start in Wasilla, finishing in Nome.
Modern Dog Sledding
According to Galen Rowell's article, "Dashing through the Snow," dog sledding as a means of transportation became obsolete in the 1960s with the introduction of motorized snowmobiles. Not only were the machines faster, they required far less upkeep than sled dogs, which eat massive quantities of food to fuel their energy expenditure.
However, dog sledding still exists in Alaska as a recreational activity. A number of outfitters and guides offer tourists and thrill-seekers the chance to experience history on the back of a dog sled.
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