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  Chugiak Dog Mushers - Call 689-7899           


EDUCATIONAL EVENTS
CLUB MINUTES
CLUB CONTACTS
CLASSIFIED ADS
TRAIL REPORTS
MEMBERSHIP
FORM
(PDF)
JUNIOR MUSHERS
LINKS
RACE SCHEDULE
RACE RULES
( PDF)
RACE RESULTS
CDMA BY-LAWS
BEACH LAKE
TRAIL MAP
CDMA HISTORY
CLUB PHOTOS
HOME
E-MAIL
Old News

Click to enlarge
As a courtesy to the Chugiak dog mushers, who rely on the trails for training their teams, it is requested that the parking spaces in front of the posts are reserved for vehicles transporting dog teams. All other users are welcome and encouraged to park in the large lot across the road.
 
ON A NEW TRAIL


Talkeetna's Whole Wheat Radio
The best darn stuff since KABN Radio - You got to check this site out. Click Here




CHUGIAK DOG
MUSHERS
PO Box 671523
Chugiak, AK 99567

Chugiak Dog
Mushers
Association
The Chugiak Dog Mushers Association gives the highest priority to the welfare of the canine athletes that are our partners in the wonderful world of sled dog sports
Our mission is to promote the sports and educate the public on the sport of dog mushing.

The Chugiak Dog Musher's Association is a non-profit club dedicated to the sport of dog mushing. Many of the members are recreational mushers. Some are participants in the Iditarod Race, The Eagle River Classic, The Women's World Championship Races and the Fur Rondy to name a few. The major facility of the club is the Birchwood Dog Mushing Trail System. The trail system is located in the Chugiak area at the north end of Fort Richardson along Cook Inlet. The Club publishes a monthly newsletter that has items of interest for the local dog mushers

For info of club activities or for leaving
a message for the club please call: (907)
689-7899


Trail Report 03/23/08
We went out for a run today, Easter Sunday, and the trails were fast, icy in places but still had very nice runs. The damage from the recent trucks on the trails did not interfere with our runs. Just for info that you may want to put on the website so people can continue to enjoy the end of the season - Lois Rockcastle



Two Mile - Fun Run Easter Race

Join in the fun Saturday, April 5th, starting at 1 am. It’s a Junior-sponsored event but all can participate.


Educational Meeting Scheduled
Tuesday, April 1 is the season’s last education program at 7:30pm.. There will be a few speakers on both organizing your kennel and emergency planning.

What's happening at the Chugiak Dog Mushers club meetings?
Read the March 18th 2008 Minutes and catch up on your club information - Click here (PDF)


Purebreed Race Results Click here



FT RICHARDSON CLOSES

The snow cover has melted to the point that Ft. Richardson is closing its trails to all recreational off-road traffic until later this spring


JUNIOR RACE SUNDAY MARCH 16th
Juniors will have a race on Sunday March 16 at 1:00. We will be running on
the 1/4 mile, 2 mile and 4 mile trails.
Questions? Call 622-2205


Classis/BP & 6 Dog Race Results
Eagle River Classic, Business Person's & 6 Dog 8 Mile Race Results - Click Here




HELP US FIND OUR DOG (((( FOUND))))))
Lost on 02/24/08: six month old siberian husky/mix puppy around Dowling area in Anchorage. Her name is "Mya" & if you find her, please call Ger. or Kathy at (907) 351-2958 or (907) 351-5560 because we miss her very much and hope to have her back home soon. She has dog tags around her collar with her name. Thank you & GOD bless...



JUNIOR RACE OF CHAMPIONS - TOK, ALASKA
The Tok Dog Mushers Assn. Inc
will be holding the Junior Race of ChampionsOn Saturday and Sunday, March 29-30, 2008For more information Contact:Dale Probert at (907) 883-5313Email Address: rare1@aptalaska.net


DOG GONE ADDICTION 2007
DOG GONE ADDICTION 2007 is a great stocking stuffer. Same Day Shipping- It's not too late for Christmas! WINNER of BEST ADVENTURE SPORTS FILM - Taos Mountain Film Festival OCT 07SPECIAL JURY AWARD/ HONORABLE MENTION MOUNTAIN CULTURE - Whistler FilmFestival Nov 07RUNNER UP PEOPLES CHOICE AWARD, Wanaka Mountain Film Festival NewZealand Jully 07
View Teaser (2.5 min) at http://www.wildsoulcreations.com/

Hang onto your dog team and join three women tackling the grueling Yukon Quest Sled Dog Race. Michelle Phillips, a young Canadian mother; Agata Franczak a 48-year-old Polish adventurer; and Kelley Griffin, Alaskan veteran, test their limits racing their huskies 1000 miles through the Yukon and into Alaska's frigid Interior.Get an insider view and find out why they continue to race despite seemingly insurmountable odds; treacherous icy and unmarked trails,steep descents down mountain passes, record cold temperatures andmental exhaustion. Feel their pain as they question their abilities,and celebrate their triumphs when they overcome obstacles small andlarge. The awful realization of our insignificance and theawe-inspiring hugeness of the Great White North are recurring themesthat hit you in the head like a Northern wind chill. Tempered by the beauty of her camera's eye, the struggle of thesewomen to challenge themselves to overcome fear and fatigue in thisvast, lonely land, Bristow captures a humanity that never flinchesfrom the truth. This spirited and uplifting account of what can be achieved when you face your fears will reveal why the lesser-knownYukon Quest is considered by many to be the toughest sled dog race onthe planet.

."Bristow puts her viewers in the mushers boots. Funny, touching and
visually smart, DOG GONE ADDICTION is a dog gone good movie."

-Donna Quante Film Maker, Producer

Please see more testimonials and DVD Reviews at http://www.wildsoulcreations.com/ DVDs include a feature length film, and 55 min of Special Features (more on the Yukon Quest trail, the veterinarians, the dogs, and more on each character)

 

Cold Hands Warm Heart 
Book or Audio CD by Jeff King -
Order your copy today!

Known as the "winningest musher in the world" Jeff King is one of the top endurance sled dog racers competing today. His record includes championship finishes in the legendary, 1100-mile Iditarod Sled Dog Race, the 1000-mile Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race, and the Kuskokwim 300 Sled Dog Race, among many others. King moved to Alaska in 1975 and began his inspirational racing career by 1980.

These autobiographical short stories offer a glimpse into the heart of a champion, the rugged Alaskan lifestyle and the charismatic world of dogs. King opens his heart and mind to reveal an intimate view of himself and his unique life as he shares over thirty years of experiences. He sculpts an image of the true Alaska depicting the spirit of adventure and self-sufficiency. From a wall tent on the trap-line to the Iditarod trail in the heat of competition to the tragedy at his homestead near Denali National Park, he will carry you along in his sled and give you the ride of a lifetime.

Donna Gates King' s brilliant images of Alaska assist in rendering clear understanding of the life and challenges of the north.

Iditarod Champion Joe Runyan blends his own expertise to enhance your voyage through the pages of Jeff King' s life.

All book and audio book orders purchased through Husky Homestead will be autographed by the author and feature a trading card insert.

Pre-order books available by March 2008 - Audio CD available NOW click here


GENERAL MEETING DEC 18:
We will have a general member meeting this Tuesday, December 18 at 7pm to discuss the following:

  • Businessperson race & Eagle River Classic
  • Possibly hosting a fun day on the trails (even with 4-wheelers) open house sort of thing
  • Banquet plans
  • Raffle plans

RACE UPDATES:
There will be no races this weekend (Dec 8 & 9) at Beach Lake trails. In addition, unless we receive at least a foot of snow between now and next week, there will be no general member meeting on December 11. Thank you and everyone hope for snow!


2007 Ft Richardson rules for access update
Ft Richardson has updated the access to the trails within the base property Click here (PDF) Please be sure to read and follow these guidlines to insure we have additional trails to train on.

Race Purses:
We do need to discuss purses. We have not yet voted on them.

The club still needs to decide race purses for our upcoming season. Is the past several years, club expenses have risen and income has not kept pace. From 2004 to 2006, our cumulative expenditures were $11,008 greater than our cumulative income. Since 2004, insurance has more than tripled; the fees we pay Parks and Rec have more than doubled, and we all know how gas prices have increased, raising the costs of trail maintenance and grooming.

The club has taken some steps to increase revenue, such as the new trail fee portion of the membership. However, we also need to look at those expenses we can control, and purses are such an item. In some brief and informal discussions about this issue, several ideas have been suggested: (1) pay out no more in purses than we receive in entry fees; (2) increase entry fees; (3) for preliminary races, award either purses or trophies, not both; (5) secure sponsorship to fund the race purses. The CDMA membership, especially those who compete for purses, needs to discuss these issues.

Given current snow conditions, we do not have to decide tomorrow night, but we do have to decide this year’s purses within the next couple of weeks. While everybody agrees that getting sponsorship to fund purses is the nicest idea, the board is working hard already, and has very little capacity to do additional fundraising. Other members will need to step up if this is the direction we want to pursue.

Please come to meetings or contact me or any of the board members to let us know your thoughts on this issue. E-mail Lexi


HOLD ON Junior CHEEKCHAKO'S
The jr cheechako race is postponed until December 1st. It will be scheduled before the first heats in the Junior one and two dog classes. Let's hope the weather cooperates. Dude dog do your dancing!

Long time musher & volunteer passes
Mushing lost a long time friend last week with the passing of Doris Lake. Doris was a musher who enjoyed the sport, but she gave most of her time to timing races for ASDRA and other statewide events. She would be near the start line of any race and in more recent years could be found in the time tower at Tozier Track. Beyond the timing Doris contributed our race history with her record keeping. Doris kept accurate records of ASDRA races beginning in the mid 40’s and until she retired. All these were carefully preserved in a notebook which has been turned over to ASDRA, Doris’s 50th year of timing coincided with her 80th birthday. Doris could tell stories of all the old timers in the sport and enjoyed sharing tales of early mushers including Doc Lombard, the Reddingtons, George Attla, Gareth Wright and her late husband Orville Lake.

Doris retired to live near her daughter in Phoenix and spent several vacations in Hawaii.
In 2006 she came “home” to serve as the Lady Trapper in Fur Rendezvous. She made short visits in 2004 and in 2005.

Dave Berg memorial donation set up
Dave Berg passed away Friday Oct. 26 from pancreatic cancer. Memorial donations may be made to a fund for his daughters',Kelly, Kairi and KayeTori's, education at Alaska USA Federal Credit Union or to Lyn Berg 14417 Terrace Lane, Eagle River, AK 99577.

Trapper Creek Race planned Nov 24 & 25
Great snow conditions make great mushing. There is going to be a a 35 mile race the 24th or 25th of November up in Trapper Creek. Contact info for anyone who would be interested by e-mail or 907-978-0424 Matt Calore/Becca Ross

FT RICHARDSON UPDATE:
November - 14, 2007
We are in the final steps of restoring access to Ft Richardson for mushing. In order to show CDMA is doing our part to inform mushers (members or not) about the regulations and promote compliance, we will be providing information and recording folks’ attendance at two meetings – one this Friday evening at 7PM and next Tuesday’s regularly scheduled meeting at 7 PM. Both meetings will be at the Club House at Beach Lake mushing trails.


Mushers who want access to Ft Richardson need to do the following:
  1. Get a recreational permit form the Main Gate on Ft Rich (if you don’t already have one).
  2. Bring it to one of the two meetings.
  3. Listen to the information!!!!
  4. Sign the form that we’ll have at the meeting with your name and permit number, and initials for each of the main points we’ll be covering. It doesn’t matter if you’re a CDMA member (although, of course, you want to be!)
Come to the meeting to help us regain and keep access to Ft Richardson. We’ll be faxing the list to the base. Once you’ve attended the meeting, you’ll be able to sign on and off by phone to the main gate. If you can’t attend either meeting, then we’ll have this information at our weekly meetings through December; you’ll just have to wait until you can attend one of those.

Things to be aware of:
You will need a DOT-approved helmet if you’re operating an ATV or snow machine on base. That’s a motorcycle helmet, not a bike helmet. You won’t need one if you’re on a sled. Ft Rich put up some new barriers last week, and we don’t know if any or all of them will be moved. We’ll try to have that information by Friday.


Early Sign up for the All Alaska Alaska Sweepstakes pays off
Thursday, 08 November 2007 - The All Alaska Sweepstakes would like to remind mushers that entry race fees will be going up as of December 1st 2007. The race entry fee jumps from $1,750 (U.S.) plus 1oz of gold to $2,000.00 (U.S.) plus 1oz. gold. The All Alaska Sweepstakes sled dog race is a commemoration of Alaska's colorful past. A celebration of Alaska's official sport. Centennial re-run of the famous dog sled race between Nome & Candle. Be part of the history. For more information visit their web site at www.allalaskasweepstakes.org



Santa needs a dog team!
Elmendorf AFB needs our help with their children's Christmas Party. They are holding a holiday celebration on Dec 8th from 10 am - 2 pm. They were hoping to offer some sled dog rides for the children and to have Santa arrive in a sled. It is their hope that a few dedicated club members could help out our military families with a memorable event. They can provide access to the base and any support needed. Please contact Robert Beachler, Contractor, GeoBase Administrator 907-552-1722 or 907-350-4338 (cell) if you can help.



RABIES VACCINATION CLINIC

It is that time of year again, if you have dogs & cats in need of their rabies shots there will be a rabies clinic Dec 2, 2007 at the Knik Bar 1-3:30. $4.00 per shot.



FT RICHARDSON UPDATE:
10/26/07
Dog mushing on Ft. Richardson is suspended. This includes both access from Beach Lake Park and access through the gate.
There are multiple issues, including the fact that our land use agreement with them expired three years ago. Mushing on base WILL NOT be permitted until a new permit is developed and signed. The base has assigned someone to update the old permit, and he and I have talked and will talk again. It is likely that this issue will take a couple of weeks to resolve. I understand that for some mushers this is a real inconvenience. However, be aware that violating this suspension will likely result in its being make permanent. If the military cannot be confident that we will abide by the restrictions they impose, they will not allow any access at all. I hope that all mushers using the trails, whether CDMA members or not, will refrain from risking everyone's access for the sake of their current training needs. We'll try to keep everyone informed through e-mail, the web site, the voice mail, and signage at the trail head. Lexi Hill - CDMA President

FT. Richardson Training Area Closed
10/23/07
Effective immediately all dog mushing activities on all areas of Ft Richardson have been suspended until further notice. For current updates, call the message number at 384-3181.


APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2008 SERUM RUN!
Have you ever wanted to see Alaska's back country? Travel from Nenana to Nome? Here's your chance. Snow machiners and dog mushers travel this route every year in late February commemorating the 1925 Serum Run.The Serum Run is accepting applications for the 2008 Serum Run. Applications will be due by Oct 30th, and selections made by Nov 15th.Visit the Serum Run web site for details & applications.


FILL THE FREEZER

There is approximately 20,000 # of Frozen whole chum in cold storage this week. Price is .40 cents a pound and they are in 1000# fiber totes. It will be held at Sysco Cold Storage on Seafood Drive in Anchorage and will be released when paid for. They would like to have it picked up by the middle of October. Contact information is: Middy Johnson Norton Sound Seafood Products Unalakleet, AK Phone 624-3014 E-mail: middy@nsedc.com




All the adventure, none of the cold
Looking for a great place to take out of town guest? The Bear and Raven Adventure Theater is designed to be an interactive 60-minute total experience. Their 30-minute movie takes you on a journey into Alaska’s rarely seen back country to experience the Iditarod Trail that takes you from the modern city of Anchorage to the villages and hamlets of a by-gone era. Revel in the celebration of surviving one of the world’s greatest races which teams man and dog vs. the arctic wilderness. Not only will you see and hear the sights and sounds of the Iditarod Trail, but you will feel them too as snow falls from the sky and the stars twinkle and Aurora Borealis shimmers above you. In the few minutes before or after the show, you can take the opportunity to mush behind nine sleddogs, your very own dog sled, catch an Alaskan King salmon, and admire Alaskan scenery from a hot air balloon on our various interactive displays. Call 277-4545 for more information.

 


"COYOTE" Available now!
Good things happen at the
Second Chance League
The Second Chance League is a group of Fairbanks mushers focused on finding permanent homes for sled dogs. They work with dogs exclusively from the municipal animal shelter in Fairbanks, evaluate them, foster them, and train them with their own dog teams. Many of these dogs have excellent bloodlines. Their goal is for the dogs to be successful. They strive to match the right dog to the right owner. Please visit their web site - click here

















TOP NEWS

Race Photos by John Gomes

One Doggers - Day 2
Ulu Factory Meet & Greet
Norma Rasmussen Memorial
Rondy Jr's - Day 2

Britt's Photos
Click Here

Attention all
Alaska Junior Mushers:

It's time to think about the 2008 Arctic Winter Games applications. This year they will be held in Yellowknife, NWT Canada March 9-15, 2008. If you were born between April 1, 1988 and April 1, 1997 you are eligable for the Arctic Winter Games. There are 2 categories, Juvenile (born between Aril 1 1993 & March 31, 1997 and a Junior category (born between April 1, 1988 and March 31, 1993. There are two candidates selected for each division, with one alternate for each category.

A selection committee of three mushers will decide who will represent Alaska at the upcoming games based on race record, sportsmanship and character after completing the questionairres. The decision will be made in October 2007.

Any junior musher wishing to be part of the "Team Alaska" competing in Dog Mushing, should contact Ron Kilian at 907 694-6220 or e-mail me for details. All teams will be required to drive their dogs and equipment to Yellowknife for the 2008 Arctic Winter Gamees.

2008 Arctic Winter Games Application (PDF)


NEW PHOTOS:
Day one coverage of the Raven Electric 10 dog and the Rondy Jr's
Championship is now on line.
Click here


Our good friend John Gomes would like to share some photos of a student shooting some of our events Click here

2007 EAGLE RIVER CLASSIC PHOTO'S 




American Husky Rescue Fundraiser Saturday, December 30
6-11pm at the VFW in Palmer (next to Colony Kitchen) Support Local Musher Greg Fritz in his Iditarod Race 2007 LIVE music by The Ramblers Silent Auction ~ Door Prizes ~ Hors D’ouvres

WEB SITE

NOTE:
Four-wheelers will only be allowed on the alternate side from now on. Please refrain from using four-wheelers on the regular (clubhouse) side of the trail system so that the trails can be groomed for sleds.

Attention Trail Users:
As a courtesy to the Chugiak dog mushers, who rely on the trails for training their teams, it is requested that the parking spaces in front of the posts are reserved for vehicles transporting dog teams. All other users are welcome and encouraged to park in the large lot across the road.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM OFFERS
SPECIAL PRIZE OPPORTUNITY

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
Don’t forget, it’s that time of year again – time to renew your club membership.
CLICK HERE (PDF)

Let's get involved!
We need your help. Please consider joining a committee with the Chugiak Dog Mushers Association.

END OF THE TRAIL

TRAIL REPORTS

EDUCATIONAL
SCHEDULE

OLD NEWS
IF YOU HAVE'NT READ IT, IT'S NEWS TO YOU!
CLICK HERE

HOW-TO BOOKS

Mush: A Beginner's Manual of Sled Dog Training by Sierra Nevada Dog Drivers Inc and Bella Levorsen ORDER

The Speed Mushing Manual: How to Train Racing Sled Dogs by Jim Welch (Paperback - Oct 1989) ORDER

Dog Driver: A Guide for the Serious Musher by Miki Collins and Julie Collins (Hardcover - April 1991)
ORDER

MUSHING MAGAZINE
www.mushing.com

HOW TO
BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR
TIPS
(PDF)
10 TRAINING TIPS (PDF)
CANINE CPR (PDF)
ALLABOUT MAKING GANGLINES (PDF)
PRE-SEASON FIRST RUN CHECKLIST (PDF)
Composting Dog Poop
Ever wanted to know about composting all that kennel waste? There has been a study done by Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and Fairbanks Soil and Water Conservation District. A Pilot Project was started at Martin Buser’s Kennel. Mrs. Tro’s class from Midnight Sun Charter School headed the study. To learn more details on this project click here (PDF)
UNDERSTAND
THE SURVIVAL
OF FALLING
THROUGH ICE:
A great video on what to do if you are in that situation. Click Here to watch



WE NEED YOU

If you have a mushing story you'd like to share on the Chugiak Dog Mushers web site or mushing photos send them to the Chugiak Dog Mushers attention webmaster or
e-mail
us Share your kennel ideas, training techniques or a funny trail tale. We look forward to hearing from you!






 
:: ALASKA DOG MUSHING :: SLED DOG RACES ::: MUSHING NEWS :: SLEDDOGS :: EAGLE RIVER CLASSIC ::
      
  Chugiak Dog Mushers - Call 689-7899           


EDUCATIONAL EVENTS
CLUB MINUTES
CLUB CONTACTS
CLASSIFIED ADS
TRAIL REPORTS
MEMBERSHIP
FORM
(PDF)
JUNIOR MUSHERS
LINKS
RACE SCHEDULE
RACE RULES
( PDF)
RACE RESULTS
CDMA BY-LAWS
BEACH LAKE
TRAIL MAP
CDMA HISTORY
CLUB PHOTOS
HOME
E-MAIL
Old News

Click to enlarge
As a courtesy to the Chugiak dog mushers, who rely on the trails for training their teams, it is requested that the parking spaces in front of the posts are reserved for vehicles transporting dog teams. All other users are welcome and encouraged to park in the large lot across the road.
 
ON A NEW TRAIL


Talkeetna's Whole Wheat Radio
The best darn stuff since KABN Radio - You got to check this site out. Click Here




CHUGIAK DOG
MUSHERS
PO Box 671523
Chugiak, AK 99567

Chugiak Dog
Mushers
Association
The Chugiak Dog Mushers Association gives the highest priority to the welfare of the canine athletes that are our partners in the wonderful world of sled dog sports
Our mission is to promote the sports and educate the public on the sport of dog mushing.

The Chugiak Dog Musher's Association is a non-profit club dedicated to the sport of dog mushing. Many of the members are recreational mushers. Some are participants in the Iditarod Race, The Eagle River Classic, The Women's World Championship Races and the Fur Rondy to name a few. The major facility of the club is the Birchwood Dog Mushing Trail System. The trail system is located in the Chugiak area at the north end of Fort Richardson along Cook Inlet. The Club publishes a monthly newsletter that has items of interest for the local dog mushers

For info of club activities or for leaving
a message for the club please call: (907)
689-7899




Click for Chugiak, Alaska Forecast


| CLASSIFIED ADS |
RACE SCHEDULE | MEETING SCHEDULE |
| JR RACE RESULTS | 06/07 SR RACE RESULTS |
EDUCATIONAL EVENTSSPONSORS |
| HOW-TO DO IT | MUSHING BOOKS | GREAT MUSHING STORIES |

Call our message hotline for updates - 689-7899
2007/2008 Race Schedule
Click Here

HELP US FIND OUR DOG
Lost on 03/24/08 six month old siberian husky/mix puppy around Dowling area in Anchorage. Her name is Mya & if you find her, please call Ger. or Kathy at (907) 351-2958 or (907) 351-5560 because we miss her very much and hope to have her back home soon. She has dog tags around her colar with her name. Thank you & GOD bless...



JUNIOR RACE OF CHAMPIONS - TOK, ALASKA
The Tok Dog Mushers Assn. Inc
will be holding the Junior Race of ChampionsOn Saturday and Sunday, March 29-30, 2008For more information Contact:Dale Probert at (907) 883-5313Email Address: rare1@aptalaska.net


DOG GONE ADDICTION 2007
DOG GONE ADDICTION 2007 is a great stocking stuffer. Same Day Shipping- It's not too late for Christmas! WINNER of BEST ADVENTURE SPORTS FILM - Taos Mountain Film Festival OCT 07SPECIAL JURY AWARD/ HONORABLE MENTION MOUNTAIN CULTURE - Whistler FilmFestival Nov 07RUNNER UP PEOPLES CHOICE AWARD, Wanaka Mountain Film Festival NewZealand Jully 07
View Teaser (2.5 min) at http://www.wildsoulcreations.com/

Hang onto your dog team and join three women tackling the grueling Yukon Quest Sled Dog Race. Michelle Phillips, a young Canadian mother; Agata Franczak a 48-year-old Polish adventurer; and Kelley Griffin, Alaskan veteran, test their limits racing their huskies 1000 miles through the Yukon and into Alaska's frigid Interior.Get an insider view and find out why they continue to race despite seemingly insurmountable odds; treacherous icy and unmarked trails,steep descents down mountain passes, record cold temperatures andmental exhaustion. Feel their pain as they question their abilities,and celebrate their triumphs when they overcome obstacles small andlarge. The awful realization of our insignificance and theawe-inspiring hugeness of the Great White North are recurring themesthat hit you in the head like a Northern wind chill. Tempered by the beauty of her camera's eye, the struggle of thesewomen to challenge themselves to overcome fear and fatigue in thisvast, lonely land, Bristow captures a humanity that never flinchesfrom the truth. This spirited and uplifting account of what can be achieved when you face your fears will reveal why the lesser-knownYukon Quest is considered by many to be the toughest sled dog race onthe planet.

."Bristow puts her viewers in the mushers boots. Funny, touching and
visually smart, DOG GONE ADDICTION is a dog gone good movie."

-Donna Quante Film Maker, Producer

Please see more testimonials and DVD Reviews at http://www.wildsoulcreations.com/ DVDs include a feature length film, and 55 min of Special Features (more on the Yukon Quest trail, the veterinarians, the dogs, and more on each character)

 

Cold Hands Warm Heart 
Book or Audio CD by Jeff King -
Order your copy today!

Known as the "winningest musher in the world" Jeff King is one of the top endurance sled dog racers competing today. His record includes championship finishes in the legendary, 1100-mile Iditarod Sled Dog Race, the 1000-mile Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race, and the Kuskokwim 300 Sled Dog Race, among many others. King moved to Alaska in 1975 and began his inspirational racing career by 1980.

These autobiographical short stories offer a glimpse into the heart of a champion, the rugged Alaskan lifestyle and the charismatic world of dogs. King opens his heart and mind to reveal an intimate view of himself and his unique life as he shares over thirty years of experiences. He sculpts an image of the true Alaska depicting the spirit of adventure and self-sufficiency. From a wall tent on the trap-line to the Iditarod trail in the heat of competition to the tragedy at his homestead near Denali National Park, he will carry you along in his sled and give you the ride of a lifetime.

Donna Gates King' s brilliant images of Alaska assist in rendering clear understanding of the life and challenges of the north.

Iditarod Champion Joe Runyan blends his own expertise to enhance your voyage through the pages of Jeff King' s life.

All book and audio book orders purchased through Husky Homestead will be autographed by the author and feature a trading card insert.

Pre-order books available by March 2008 - Audio CD available NOW click here


GENERAL MEETING DEC 18:
We will have a general member meeting this Tuesday, December 18 at 7pm to discuss the following:

  • Businessperson race & Eagle River Classic
  • Possibly hosting a fun day on the trails (even with 4-wheelers) open house sort of thing
  • Banquet plans
  • Raffle plans

RACE UPDATES:
There will be no races this weekend (Dec 8 & 9) at Beach Lake trails. In addition, unless we receive at least a foot of snow between now and next week, there will be no general member meeting on December 11. Thank you and everyone hope for snow!


2007 Ft Richardson rules for access update
Ft Richardson has updated the access to the trails within the base property Click here (PDF) Please be sure to read and follow these guidlines to insure we have additional trails to train on.

Race Purses:
We do need to discuss purses. We have not yet voted on them.

The club still needs to decide race purses for our upcoming season. Is the past several years, club expenses have risen and income has not kept pace. From 2004 to 2006, our cumulative expenditures were $11,008 greater than our cumulative income. Since 2004, insurance has more than tripled; the fees we pay Parks and Rec have more than doubled, and we all know how gas prices have increased, raising the costs of trail maintenance and grooming.

The club has taken some steps to increase revenue, such as the new trail fee portion of the membership. However, we also need to look at those expenses we can control, and purses are such an item. In some brief and informal discussions about this issue, several ideas have been suggested: (1) pay out no more in purses than we receive in entry fees; (2) increase entry fees; (3) for preliminary races, award either purses or trophies, not both; (5) secure sponsorship to fund the race purses. The CDMA membership, especially those who compete for purses, needs to discuss these issues.

Given current snow conditions, we do not have to decide tomorrow night, but we do have to decide this year’s purses within the next couple of weeks. While everybody agrees that getting sponsorship to fund purses is the nicest idea, the board is working hard already, and has very little capacity to do additional fundraising. Other members will need to step up if this is the direction we want to pursue.

Please come to meetings or contact me or any of the board members to let us know your thoughts on this issue. E-mail Lexi


HOLD ON Junior CHEEKCHAKO'S
The jr cheechako race is postponed until December 1st. It will be scheduled before the first heats in the Junior one and two dog classes. Let's hope the weather cooperates. Dude dog do your dancing!

Long time musher & volunteer passes
Mushing lost a long time friend last week with the passing of Doris Lake. Doris was a musher who enjoyed the sport, but she gave most of her time to timing races for ASDRA and other statewide events. She would be near the start line of any race and in more recent years could be found in the time tower at Tozier Track. Beyond the timing Doris contributed our race history with her record keeping. Doris kept accurate records of ASDRA races beginning in the mid 40’s and until she retired. All these were carefully preserved in a notebook which has been turned over to ASDRA, Doris’s 50th year of timing coincided with her 80th birthday. Doris could tell stories of all the old timers in the sport and enjoyed sharing tales of early mushers including Doc Lombard, the Reddingtons, George Attla, Gareth Wright and her late husband Orville Lake.

Doris retired to live near her daughter in Phoenix and spent several vacations in Hawaii.
In 2006 she came “home” to serve as the Lady Trapper in Fur Rendezvous. She made short visits in 2004 and in 2005.

Dave Berg memorial donation set up
Dave Berg passed away Friday Oct. 26 from pancreatic cancer. Memorial donations may be made to a fund for his daughters',Kelly, Kairi and KayeTori's, education at Alaska USA Federal Credit Union or to Lyn Berg 14417 Terrace Lane, Eagle River, AK 99577.

Trapper Creek Race planned Nov 24 & 25
Great snow conditions make great mushing. There is going to be a a 35 mile race the 24th or 25th of November up in Trapper Creek. Contact info for anyone who would be interested by e-mail or 907-978-0424 Matt Calore/Becca Ross

FT RICHARDSON UPDATE:
November - 14, 2007
We are in the final steps of restoring access to Ft Richardson for mushing. In order to show CDMA is doing our part to inform mushers (members or not) about the regulations and promote compliance, we will be providing information and recording folks’ attendance at two meetings – one this Friday evening at 7PM and next Tuesday’s regularly scheduled meeting at 7 PM. Both meetings will be at the Club House at Beach Lake mushing trails.


Mushers who want access to Ft Richardson need to do the following:
  1. Get a recreational permit form the Main Gate on Ft Rich (if you don’t already have one).
  2. Bring it to one of the two meetings.
  3. Listen to the information!!!!
  4. Sign the form that we’ll have at the meeting with your name and permit number, and initials for each of the main points we’ll be covering. It doesn’t matter if you’re a CDMA member (although, of course, you want to be!)
Come to the meeting to help us regain and keep access to Ft Richardson. We’ll be faxing the list to the base. Once you’ve attended the meeting, you’ll be able to sign on and off by phone to the main gate. If you can’t attend either meeting, then we’ll have this information at our weekly meetings through December; you’ll just have to wait until you can attend one of those.

Things to be aware of:
You will need a DOT-approved helmet if you’re operating an ATV or snow machine on base. That’s a motorcycle helmet, not a bike helmet. You won’t need one if you’re on a sled. Ft Rich put up some new barriers last week, and we don’t know if any or all of them will be moved. We’ll try to have that information by Friday.


Early Sign up for the All Alaska Alaska Sweepstakes pays off
Thursday, 08 November 2007 - The All Alaska Sweepstakes would like to remind mushers that entry race fees will be going up as of December 1st 2007. The race entry fee jumps from $1,750 (U.S.) plus 1oz of gold to $2,000.00 (U.S.) plus 1oz. gold. The All Alaska Sweepstakes sled dog race is a commemoration of Alaska's colorful past. A celebration of Alaska's official sport. Centennial re-run of the famous dog sled race between Nome & Candle. Be part of the history. For more information visit their web site at www.allalaskasweepstakes.org



Santa needs a dog team!
Elmendorf AFB needs our help with their children's Christmas Party. They are holding a holiday celebration on Dec 8th from 10 am - 2 pm. They were hoping to offer some sled dog rides for the children and to have Santa arrive in a sled. It is their hope that a few dedicated club members could help out our military families with a memorable event. They can provide access to the base and any support needed. Please contact Robert Beachler, Contractor, GeoBase Administrator 907-552-1722 or 907-350-4338 (cell) if you can help.