The many types of dog sleds can be a fascinating study, and for the recent Copper Basin 300 race I positioned myself at the first road crossing, on the Richardson Highway at Paxson, where a sharp drop off the shoulder of the road put some of the dog sleds into a dramatic airborne flight. The variety of sleds is always interesting: long sleds, short sleds, sit-down luxury rides, heavy-duty and light-framed sleds. And the different ways the mushers pack their loads are also fascinating: some with snowshoes lashed to the side, others with sleeping bags secured atop the load, and the ever-present snowhooks within easy reach. Kennel names, sponsors' logos and patches, and the necessary identifying bib numbers decorate the sleds. For the time they're on the trail these sleds are the musher's mobile homes, and each one is as unique as the musher behind it.
Lance Mackey, team 11, passes the first road crossing of the Copper Basin 300:
Wade Marrs, team 12, catches air on the shoulder of the road:
Matt Giblin, team 21, has a sled with a built-in seat:
Colleen Robertia, team 41, has a primarily wood sled:
To see more photos of many unique dog sleds, visit Northern Light Media.
Helen Hegener is an author and a documentary filmmaker specializing in long distance sled dog races and the men, women and dogs who run them. Learn more at Northern Light Media.