Fantasitc Plastic & the McGrath checkpoint~

Great News, the McGrath checkpoint has been sponsored by Team Dew Claw members, Robert & Jolene Parsons.
MUSH THANKS!

In talking with them about the race preparations I was telling them their sponsorship right now would be a great help in getting my drop bags together for the 2013 Iditarod. One key item I will be purchasing with their generous donation is runner plastic.

“Now what is runner plastic?”

I know a number of our friends reading this right now are asking themselves, “runner plastic? whats that all about?” So as part of our continuing efforts to enlighten folks as to what all goes on behind the scenes of a long distance racing kennel, today we are; thankful for and talking about Runner Plastic.

Dan builds all the sleds we ride at Dew Claw. We actually joke that Dan builds them and I (Jodi) crash test them.  The foundation of the sled is the runners: long, flat, and curved up at the front end; the runners are the part of the sled that come in contact with the trail. Although there are many styles and materials; from the traditional wooden runners to modern metals, they all serve the same basic function. Allowing the sled to slide along the trails surface. The sleds at Dew Claw are built using aluminum Rex ™ runners. Along with being very durable, they handle well on the rough and varied terrain we travel. They also have the ability for a quick change of runner plastic. A key feature for racing mushers. OK this is where we shift from the topic of runners to the original question, “what the heck is runner plastic?”

Dan sliding on new runner plastic at the 101 Checkpoint during the 2009 Yukon Quest.

Runner plastic is a strip of specialized plastic that covers the bottom surface of the sled runners. Mushers choose different types of plastics with different attributes based on the trail conditions they are dealing with. Plastic is often changed at checkpoints or while camping to adapt to ever changing trail conditions. And that is one of the reasons a quick change system is such a benefit. It is also why being able to purchase a variety of plastics to send out to checkpoints along the Iditarod trail is hugely helpful. Lets say at the start of the race temperatures are warm, that would make one type of plastic the best choice. Later in the race as temperatures and trail conditions change, another style becomes the best option.

Runner plastic also gets worn down over time. And rough or bare trail, rocks, and stumps can all gouge and destroy runner plastic. All of this makes it more difficult for the sled to travel down the trail, and can actually slow you down. During a 1000 mile race mushers will change plastic often in an effort to make sure they are traveling down the trail as smoothly as possible. With the runners and plastic we use on our sleds, the change can be made in a matter of minutes with no special tools.

You can actually read a bit more about the Rex ™ runners and plastics we use here. The article also has information about what kind of plastic is best for different conditions.

“So tell me about McGrath”

The other question I know people are wondering about is; what are the checkpoint really like? To be honest each has its own uniqueness. And although some things are always the same: our drop bags are there, we must sign in, and have the vets check our team and sign our vet book. Really each checkpoint on the Iditarod trail is completely it’s own place.  The trail from Nikolia to McGrath is (at least in my mind) where you leave the challenges of the Alaska range behind, and start to travel through the Alaskan Interior. The geography changes and will eventually morph into the landscape of the mighty Yukon River.

McGrath is one of the first bush villages you encounter. In Alaska a ‘bush village’ is a small remote community without any road access. These villages are reached either by trail, or small plane, and in the summer by river. They have a flavor all their own, and many have a very strong Native influence. The Interior of Alaska is home to the Athabascan people, who have successfully carved a living out of this harsh landscape for generations. The Alaska Native Knowledge Network has this published this “Brief Description of Alaskan Athabascan Culture” (with additional resources listed at the end of the article). And you can also see a virtual exhibit on “Athabascan Indian History and Culture” from the Anchorage Museum.

McGrath, with a population of about 340 is actually a larger village and serves as a regional hub for the smaller communities, such as; Anvik, Grayling, Holy Cross, Nikolai, Shageluk, and Takotna. There is an AC, which stands for Alaska Company. AC traditionally had trading posts in Bush villages and still operates small supply/grocery stores in many. It is the only place villagers can buy supplies locally, so much shopping is done by mail order. Or trips to the larger communities of Anchorage and Fairbanks. You can read more about the village of McGrath at the Alaska Community Database, they also have a link to a collection of Photos from McGrath.

Stopping for a hug (and photo) with a past student in the Interior village checkpoint of Kaltag.

If I am being honest I must say I always feel the most at home on this section of trail. Alaska’s Interior is where I spent a great deal of my teaching career. I had the pleasure of traveling to a number of rural villages to teach classes. While teaching via distance I worked with many wonderful students from the Interior. More then once while running Iditarod I have had a past student come up and visit me. In one case it was a student from an audio conference class whom I had never seen in person. She had come to wish me luck, and had even brought her young daughter down to meet me.

As I head into McGrath this year I will be thinking of Robert & Jolene and all the amazing people who are supporting and encouraging us this winter. A huge thank you to all the wonderful members of Team Dew Claw.

There are still a few unsupported checkpoints on the map, if you are interested in joining our team we invite you to learn about the checkpoint sponsor program.