Comments on: FOOD DROPS

By: Gracie

Gracie — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 18:35:19 +0000

Who created food bags?

By: 3A Class

3A Class — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 15:03:23 +0000

We would like to know why they do not drop food at Finger Lake? We are having fun following this year’s race and we cannot wait to see who wins.

By: mary calore

mary calore — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 12:01:52 +0000

Hi Nick Lee. I read your comments and questions. I have never run in the race, but my son has. He feeds his dogs a high quality protein and fat dog food – kibbles- that he mixes with frozen meats. He uses ground meats and fish which he has either hunted and fished, or bought from trappers and traded for with other mushers in the area. While the meats are frozen to preserve them, they are not really of human quality. He is very careful to not pierce his food packages (vaccum sealed packages) when he boils them in the pot with the dog food. He always feeds his dogs first when he gets to a check point or camps and then takes care of himself. My son, Matt, had me make some of his favorite foods and package them for him. He also took snacks, but not salty ones because his water supply was limited on the trail. Hope this was helpful.
Enjoy the race! Matt,s Mom
Thanks Matt’s Mom, We appreciate you helping us answer the questions about food- both dog and human- out on the trail. Gypsy

By: Nick Lee

Nick Lee — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 00:22:40 +0000

We talk about this race every day in my 3rd grade class. My teachers Mrs. Lowe and Mrs. Denbo are huge fans!!! I know that the race is 1049miles. I also know Jeff King has won four races. But what I don’t know is how old do the dogs have to be to start racing and do you have to have a certain breed of dog? What kind of food do you eat and do you share with your dogs?
Thanks Nick Lee
Hi Nick Lee, The dogs have to be of a northern breed meaning they have to have that special undercoat that keeps them warm in very cold weather. The mushers eat regular food. I don’t know if there is sharing or not. Sometimes on the trail the dogs eat better than their musher. Enjoy following the race. Gypsy

By: Jinx

Jinx — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 17:08:20 +0000

Just saying hey, some people I know don’t believe you guys can type. I DO!!!!!! <3

By: mary calore

mary calore — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 14:22:45 +0000

In addition to the dog supplies, the musher also has to plan his food and supplies to be sent in the drop bags. Last year I made all of my son’s food, froze it, vaccum packed it, and sent it from Massachusetts to Alaska for him. I made him meals that he heated in the same water as his dog food, but his food was in the vaccum bags, and snacks that he put in his parka to warm up. It was a lot of fun and a lot of work. If you want to send me a request, I would be glad to tell you more about what I made and how Matt planned his meals. He is not racing this year, but will be back for next year’s race.
Matt’s Mom
Hi Matt’s mom, We would love to hear more about how you planned and made Matt’s meals. I would love to do an article about it if that’s okay with you. You can contact me through email at: emailk9reporters@gmail.com
Thanks so much for offering. Looking forward to hearing from you. Gypsy

By: Victoria

Victoria — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 13:42:24 +0000

What Was it like working with the dogs?Did you have fun,did you have some difficult times with the dogs.Or did you fun most of the time.Have you ever been in any other races?

By: Reilley

Reilley — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 13:34:52 +0000

What did you like most about working with the dogs?Did you have fun did you have some difficult times with the dogs.Or did you have fun most of the time.

By: virginia

virginia — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 19:03:33 +0000

How long is the iditarod?
Hi, Go to: http://www.iditarod.com/race/route.html and you can find out all about the race route, checkpoints, and mileage. Thanks for writing. Gypsy

By: JD

JD — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 14:00:22 +0000

how long does it take 2 train the dogs?