Becoming a mushing woman

 

In mid-March, in the ruggedly beautiful Talkeetna mountains north of Palmer, the Becoming an Outdoors Woman Winter Workshop, sponsored by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the Outdoor Heritage Foundation of Alaska, included a session on learning to drive a sled dog team. The course description encouraged: "Whether you want to learn about dog mushing for fun, racing or packing gear, this is the class for you. Local mushers will teach you about dog care, equipment and mushing skills. Mush!"

The local mushers were Anjanette Steer of Sheep Mountain Lodge and Kim Trickett of Willow, both experienced mushers with an easygoing, relaxed approach to teaching the skills involved with the sport. Lifelong Alaskan Anjanette and her husband Zack, who was running the Iditarod as the classes took place, have been well known in Alaskan mushing circles for many years, sponsoring the popular Sheep Mountain 150 from their lodge in December. Kim Trickett moved to Alaska from Maryland in 2007 with her sled dog tour business, Yellow Snow Dog Sled Adventures, when diminishing snow conditions began hampering her southern-based operations.