Dear Kid,
In approximately 22 days, the Iditarod will start.
Because this is a dog event, I decided to consult our resident canine.
Puppy: What do you mean they are outside for 1,000 miles for a race? That’s crazy!
The Iditarod began in 1973. During the race, teams of 16 dogs and a musher race to the finish. The race frequently involves mushing through huge blizzards, sub-zero temperatures, and crazy winds.
Puppy: Those aren’t dogs. They’re polar bears.
There are 26 or 27 checkpoints along the route (depending on which route is run). Mushers pick up planned supplies at the checkpoints and often rest there (although some prefer to sleep along the trail). There are three mandatory rests along the way. One is a 24 hour layover, one is an 8 hour layover, and then final one is an eight hour stop before the final sprint.
Puppy: See? Polar bears sleep outside. Dogs sleep on pillows.
According to the EPA, temperatures in Alaska have increased 6.3 degrees over the last 50 years (twice as fast as the national average).
This year the Iditarod route is being changed because of low snowfall.
Puppy: There’s no snow for the polar bears? Ridiculous. I’m going to take a nap.
Now you know.
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