Bronwyn Langworthy
2007 Snowmachine Support

Joining the Serum Run, from Darwin, tropical capital of Australia’s Northern Territory, must appear somewhat bizarre! However, through my global wanderings, I found that the part of the world which most closely resembles the Northern Territory, on many fronts, is Alaska. Perhaps the fact that Darwin and Anchorage are officially Sister Cities suggests that I’m not the first to recognise this.

Occupation–wise, I have studied and worked in the areas of microbiology, psychology, exercise science, and educational counselling. I am currently counselling students who are completing their secondary schooling in the distance mode. I have also operated businesses ranging from a Craft Gallery in an historic building, which we helped to rebirth, to breeding and raising Jersey milkers for hobby farmers. However, as a business person I was not the greatest model as I got too attached to the cows to sell them!

The high temperatures and humidity of the tropics often makes physical activity a sweaty and challenging task but the cold enervates me. I have always had a passion for wilderness but especially but especially for cold wild places. This has led to climbing peaks in Antarctica, skiing across South Georgia (Antarctic version), clambering over snowy passes and peaks in the New Zealand Alps, solo trekking through the mountains of Swedish Lapland, manhauling a sled on the Greenland Ice Cap and… one magic January….. accompanying Erin and Paul McLarnen, and their teams, on an early season run to Yetna Station.

Before this mushing and snow machine experience, however, was Christmas at the Broken Runner Kennel, Willow. Here I had the joy of meeting the dogs and helping with the associated chores. 38 amazingly individual personalities! I then understood at least one part of the attraction to mushing! Having always been a dog person, I wasn’t too surprised to be bowled over by the devoted mini Huskie, Matti Su and by the fortitude of R2, and the list could go on!

The Yetna River trip revealed another part of the attraction to mushing. Erin and I swapped ‘vehicles’ and Erin scooted out of sight and sound on my snow machine, enabling me to experience the quiet ‘shooshing’ and the beauty of the running team. Utterly sold! I then had the hilarious experience of coming across a group of snow machiners who pulled aside, reverently stopped their machines, and furiously recorded their first encounter with a ‘genuine musher’ in the wild. Little did they know of my origins! But .… I enjoyed the moment! I also realised the great respect that you folk are accorded.

Being given the opportunity to support Erin in this Run is absolutely awesome and I thank Erin heartily for the invitation. I look forward to meeting all the teams and to sharing the amazing experiences ahead of us.