Tales From the Trail

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(Photo: Courtesy SerumRun.org)

Musher Hannah Modorow has been busy preparing for the annual Serum Run, which begins February 18, 2007. Check out her diary entries for a firsthand look at how teamwork on a dogsled expedition includes both human and animal participation.

March 8-10—Day 19-21

High winds kept the Serum Run from continuing down the trail for three days. This proved to be quite a blessing, as we have had a chance to get to know the people of White Mountain. The dogs are camped on the banks of Fish River, storing up a lot of energy for the final 75 miles of our journey.

Tomorrow’s departure for Nome will likely be exhilarating with my eager and well-rested team of huskies!

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Previous Tales From the Trail:

• March 7—Day 18

Elim to White Mountain
Do Ravens get Frostbite?

The wind blew steadily at 6:30 a.m. as I went outside to feed the team. If it was that windy in the wooded area behind Elim School, I could only imagine how much fiercer it would be on the sea ice. . . Read more

• March 6—Day 17

Koyuk to Elim
A Perfect Day on the Trail

Today was the sunny day we have been dreaming about. Temperatures hovered around zero, the warmest we have experienced. My team settled into cruise control, traveling steadily at a swift rate of speed. . . Read more

• March 5—Day 16

Shaktoolik to Koyuk
Goodbye to Old Demons

The trip from Shaktoolik to Koyuk was 43 miles long, and crossed the Norton Bay. It was overwhelming in beauty and vastness. The dogs ran as if they were on the 1925 mission to deliver lifesaving serum. . . Read more

• March 4—Day 15

Unalakleet to Shaktoolik
Spooky!

Today we experienced dramatic terrain transitions. The first few miles out of town began with twists and turns on the Unalakleet River. Next we wound our way up the famous Blueberry Hills. . . Read more

• March 3—Day 14

Old Woman to Unalakleet
Danger on Ice

We left the Yukon River behind yesterday, and today we completed the overland section to the sea. From the pizza parlor in Unalakleet (yes, there is actually pizza in Unalakleet!) we looked out on the bay we will cross tomorrow. . . Read more

• March 2—Day 13

Kaltag to Old Woman Cabin
Iron Dogs

I had a chance to speak with the high school students in Kaltag before harnessing up the team for departure. They were busy at work on research papers, but we spent a few minutes talking about transportation in 1925 versus today. . . Read more

• March 1—Day 12

Nulato to Kaltag
A River of Ice

The mushers on the Serum Run gave a presentation to the Nulato school kids before departing the village. Members of the expedition introduced themselves, and gave details about their professional and recreational lives. . . Read more

• February 28—Day 11

Galena to Nulato
History of the Dogsled

Last night before dinner, a young girl named Sarah came by the community center to meet the dogs. She told me about her own dog, and about a mushing race that she won last winter. . . Read more

• February 27—Day 10

Galena Layover

It is a sunny day in Galena, with temperatures as high as -10º F. This feels like a heat wave after the cold we have endured over the past week. We’re enjoying the sun while it lasts, as the forecast calls for more cold. I had a chance to meet with students from the Sidney C. Huntington School. . . Read more

• February 26—Day 9

Ruby to Galena

It was hard to leave Ruby after such a short stay. Dad and I took a snow machine up to the school before we left, but it was closed because the boiler wasn’t working properly. We were able to connect to the Internet and meet a few shivering teachers, but the students stayed home today because the building was cold. . . Read more

• February 25—Day 8

Trapper Cabin to Ruby
Team Spirit

Clouds have never looked so good. After a week of clear -50º F days, clouds are a signal of warming temperatures. Although it was still below zero when I fed the dogs this morning, by the time I left camp, snow fell lightly from the sky, and the temperatures rose slightly to -30º F. . . Read more

• February 24—Day 7

Boneyard to Trapper Cabin
Poetry by the Wood Stove

Another cold day on the Yukon River. It was hard to crawl out of my sleeping bag this morning knowing that -50º F temperatures awaited us. Dad had stoked the fire in our tent all night long, and it was toasty. . . Read more

• February 23—Day 6

Tanana to Boneyard Cabin
How to Dress for -40º F

Cold has become the norm on the Serum Run trail. We have not seen temperatures above zero yet, but a celebration is in store for the day it comes. . . Read more

• February 22—Day 5

Manley Hot Springs to Tanana
Special Memories of a Mentor

We made it to Tanana! Today was quite possibly the best mush of my life. The dog team was flawless for six hours, and the trail was worthy of the legends that it holds. . . Read more

• February 21—Day 4

Still in Manley Hot Springs!

The Serum Run 2007 is on hold in Manley Hot Springs. It was -52º F when I woke up this morning, and even though the temperatures did rise with the sun, it is still well below zero. . . Read more

• February 20—Day 3

Beaver Point Lodge to Manley Hot Springs:
Cold Weather and Feathers

The weather on the Serum Run is cold! The temperature was -30º F when I woke up. The trip to Manley Hot Springs was fast and beautiful, taking only three hours. . . Read more

• February 19—Day 2

Old Minto to Beaver Point Lodge:
Through the Sugar Snow

Today was an epic day on the Serum Run. Although the 30-mile trip is one of the shortest of our expedition, it took us more than six hours to complete. . . Read more

• February 18—Day 1

Nenana to Old Minto:
Serum Handoff Reenactment

The train pulled into the depot shortly after 10 a.m. Dog teams barked in eager anticipation of takeoff as the conductor stepped down from the train . . . Read more

• January 16—Pre-Race

Serum Run Shakedown

This weekend we went on a three-day trip called the Serum Run “Shakedown,” a mandatory event for all those who will be traveling to Nome in February. . . Read more

 

PRE-RACE DIARIES:

• February 7—Drop Bags II

• February 5—Drop Bags

• February 4—A Visit to the Vet

• February 3—Roo Runs in Lead

• February 1—Denali Highway Training

• January 30—Booties

• January 28—Human Food

• January 23—Meat Bagging Day

• January 20—First Field Trip

• January 16—Serum Run Shakedown

Helping Children Explore & Protect Our Planet
Sprung discusses several ways to introduce children to the issues of ecology and conservation. During the early childhood years, teachers should provide children with a learning environment that fosters a love of nature and a commitment to preserving the Earth's precious natural resources. For more information and suggested readings, click on the links to "Home-School Connection" and "Resources."

SUMMER ACTIVITIES: Outdoor Parachute Play
"Outdoor Parachute Play" is a summer activity in music and movement for mixed ages. In this activity, children will develop gross-motor and listening skills.