HOMESTEADING DOG SLEDDING

Dog sledding in Alaska is an enjoyable and practical mode of transportation in the winter time and is much friendlier than jeeps or snowmobiles. Choosing the work dogs; sleds and sledges; harnesses and the lines; training; and other resources.

November/December 1979
 
060-088-01-junix1
Image Gallery
Blanchie?Alfred Agree's lead dog?keeps her towline stretched out tight even when shes ""on hold"" waiting for the musher's next command.
Article Tools
Print
Comments
RSS
Bookmark and Share

Alfred Agree says the best transportation for the snowbound "ruralite" is...

RELATED CONTENT

060-088-01-junix1.jpg

Blanchie—Alfred Agree's lead dog—keeps her towline stretched out tight even when shes "on hold" waiting for the musher's next command.

060-088-01-junix2.jpg

The fishback sled harness is the best all-around dog "strapper" for both freighting and distance running.

060-088-01-junix3.jpg

The two most popular dog sleds are the standard lightweight model-on the left-and the eight-foot freighter. The hefty freighter can haul 500 Pounds of cargo-and a musher—but requires the pulling Power of at least five strong sled dogs. Both snowriders are equipped with front bumpers (called "brush bows " by sled drivers).

060-088-01-junix4.jpg

A musher's view of a run in South Central Alaska's Talkeetna Range on a beautiful cloudless morning. Alfreds sled team can pull him as far as 60 miles in a single day!

PHOTOS SUPPLIED BY THE AUTHOR

DOG SLED RESOURCES

Here are some sources of dog-sleddin' hardware and information:

LITERATURE

Mush: The Beginner's Manual of Sled Dog Training (Arner Publications, Dept. TMEN, P.O. Box 307, Westmoreland, New York 13490) edited by Bela Levorsen, 250-page hard cover, $9.95 postpaid.

Training and Racing Sled Dogs (also Arner Publications) by George Attla, 205-page hard cover, $11.95 postpaid.

Racing Alaskan Sled Dogs (Alaska Northwest Publishing Company, Dept. TMEN, 130 Second Avenue South, Edmonds, Washington 98020), 133-page paperback. $7.95 plus 75c shipping and handling.

Team & Trail Mushers Monthly News (Dept. TMEN, Center Harbor, New Hampshire 03226), a 20+-page publication. A one-year subscription is $12.50, or send 75c if you'd like to see a sample copy.

CLUB

International Sled Dog Racing Association, 460 South 43rd, Boulder, Colorado 80803 (write for detaiIs).

EQUIPMENT:

Write for a brochure or catalog to:

Rae's Harness Shop, Dept. TMEN, Box 10-693, Anchorage, Alaska 99511.

Frank Hall, Dept. TMEN, 5875 McCrum Road, Jackson, Michigan 49201.

Tun-Dra, Dept. TMEN, 16438 96th Avenue, Nunica, Michigan 49448.

Edward L. Moody, Dept. TMEN, 216 Milton Road, Rochester, New Hampsh ire 03867.

Blanchard's Sled Shop, Dept. TMEN, Hatchers' Pass, Willow, Alaska 99688.

Page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Next >>
Bookmark and Share
RSS | Comments | E-mail | Print
FEATURED ARTICLES
MOST POPULAR


Subscribe Today - Pay Now & Save 66% Off the Cover Price

First Name: *
 Last Name: *
Address: *
 City: *
State/Province: *
 Zip/Postal Code:*
Country:
 Email:*
(* indicates a required item)
Canadian subs: 1 year, (includes postage & GST). Foreign subs: 1 year, . U.S. funds.
Canadian Subscribers - Click Here
Non US and Canadian Subscribers - Click Here

Lighten the Strain on the Earth and Your Budget

Mother Earth News is the guide to living — as one reader stated — “with little money and abundant happiness.” Every issue is an invaluable guide to leading a more sustainable life, covering ideas from fighting rising energy costs and protecting the environment to avoiding unnecessary spending on processed food. You’ll find tips for slashing heating bills; growing fresh, natural produce at home; and more. Mother Earth News helps you cut costs without sacrificing modern luxuries.

At Mother Earth News, we are dedicated to conserving our planet’s natural resources while helping you conserve your financial resources. That’s why we want you to save money and trees by subscribing through our Earth-Friendly automatic renewal savings plan. By paying with a credit card, you save an additional $4.95 and get 6 issues of Mother Earth News for only $10.00 (USA only).

You may also use the Bill Me option and pay $14.95 for 6 issues.