The John Beargrease Sled Dog race passed through Skyport Lodge checkpoint without a hitch on Tuesday morning. Teams silently traveled through the night after a mandatory eight-hour rest in Grand Portage and began arriving here at Skyport early Tuesday morning.
I am used to seeing the takeoff of a sled dog race, which is a loud and hectic experience as the dogs anxiously fight to begin running. They love to pull sleds and are unable to curb their excitement as the handlers wrestle around their team of wildly anxious jumping dogs while harnessing them to the sled, one by one. As soon as the team is ready and the brake flies, the sled springs into action with the momentum and grace of a silent drag car, at least that is what is supposed to happen. Sometimes there are tangles, tipped sleds, and a multitude of other complications that occur during the takeoff.
The mushers are now making their way to Sawbill Trail while finishing the final 120 miles of their journey. The race is over for us here at Skyport, and all that is left to remind us of a sleepless evening are scattered piles of straw where the dogs rested along the old runway and a smoking fire ring by the lake. The volunteers who coordinate this event were clearly experienced in their positions and made it very easy for me to focus on our restaurant during the event. Having breakfast available from 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. is not our normal schedule, but we are beginning to understand that very few things are “normal” when it comes to owning and operating a lodge in such a unique area.
I often write about technological changes in outdoor sports, and the Beargrease is no exception. The GPS tracking devices on each team’s sled made the event more interesting for the spectators, and safer for the mushers since they could be found at any time. Rather than hearing trail rumors and speculations about the mushers between checkpoints, spectators can now get “real time” positions of any of the racers at any time – including their course and average speed. It is ironic to think about how one of the most “natural sports” preserved in rich tradition has now entered the world of virtual spectator status.
Cory Christianson has worked as a fishing guide on the Gunflint Trail since 2000. If you have any fishing or wildlife reports or stories to share, send an email to: christiansoncory@hotmail.com or call 218- 388-0315. You can also visit Cory’s website at Gunflintfishingguide.com.
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