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Proper
Gear:
Review
our winter camping checklist
for mushers and snowmachiners (PDF
file)
THE SERUM RUN MUSHER HANDBOOK
Compiled by Roy Monk
The
Serum Run will travel from Nenana to Nome along one of the most
historic trails in Alaska. Apart from the long history of pioneers
carrying mail and gold across the interior, this same trail was
used by a relay of dog teams carrying diphtheria serum from Nenana
to Nome to save the lives of countless stricken children, when
no other means of transport was available in that winter of 1925.
Trail
conditions are extremely varied including pretty forest sections
and travel on the frozen river ice, sometimes smooth but often
hazardous with jumble ice, open leads, and overflow. The route
crosses mountain passes, open tundra and for some 50 miles between
Shaktoolik and Koyuk, across the sea of Norton Bay. This stretch
can see conditions change day by day and even hour by hour. The
weather can be kind and provide a smooth and easy passage, but
the sea ice can break up when conditions are bad. Pressure ridges
can necessitate numerous detours around the obstructions. Wind
can whip up blinding blizzards, obliterate markers, and making
progress slow and hazardous or even impossible.
The
weather conditions in March can involve temperature fluctuations
from 60 below to 40 above zero. Wind is often a serious hazard
along the Yukon, but along the coastal stretch between Unalakleet
and Nome travel can become totally impossible for even the most
experienced dog team or snowmachine. Beyond White Mountain the
trail climbs over the mountain before dropping down to the sea
ice of the Bering Sea. Along this stretch the wind can be so strong
as to pick up dogs and sled, tossing them around like so much
paper.
The
trip can be pure pleasure in good conditions. It can be a nightmare
should Mother Nature withdraw her cooperation. Careful preparation
of dogs, equipment and self are required. A well equipped, well-trained
team should have no major problems with any of the trail under
reasonable weather conditions.
In
some of the villages, we may be afforded shelter for our overnight
stay - this is not guaranteed. At some of our stops we will have
to make our own arrangements, sleeping with the dogs. Food will
be available in the village stores or food may be offered by the
village people - this is not guaranteed. It is each individual’s
responsibility to ensure self-sufficiency for the duration of
the run. If you must drop out of the trip, the return home for
the driver and team from most of the interior villages is very
expensive and difficult to arrange. From such points as Galena
or Unalakleet, it is somewhat less expensive in view of the availability
of some commercial airlines, offering commercial rates. This is
not a trip to “try out” untried, inexperienced dogs.
The possibility of returning from Galena or Unalakleet may be
considered an escape route for many teams finding the trip too
demanding.
There
are no ‘dropped dog’ facilities available to us. The
Serum Run is not a race and considerable cooperation is intended
but self-sufficiency must be the aim of all participants. We are
very fortunate to be traveling along the trail as a team - dog
teams and snowmachines - a situation not often encountered. The
snowmachiners are invaluable for locating, breaking, and marking
trail and for hauling necessary supplies such as food, fuel. BUT,
the snowmachines are not along simply to cater to the dog teams.
As part of the team, they are also entitled to have some fun along
the trail. It would be foolish to expect to run the trail with
a lightweight sled, empty, just leaving the machine to haul all
our supplies to the next rest stop. What happens if you get separated
from the main group in a serious storm? Each team is expected
to carry adequate supplies for a period of 24 hours and not place
unnecessary burdens on the support group. Any participant who
is unwilling to work for the common goal of the group should reconsider
their participation.
This
is not a trip to be undertaken lightly. The trail covers almost
800 miles and requires a driver with adequate experience to cope
with the varied trail conditions and to survive as well as taking
care of the dogs. Dogs must be well conditioned and in good health,
capable of traveling 50 to 60 miles per day at a reasonable speed
for up to 20 days straight. For any intending “rookie”
driver with no previous experience of long distance travel, advice
will be available before the event with respect to clothing, equipment
and, most important, care of the dogs over such an extended mileage.
Nutrition is a very important aspect. Adequate food of the correct
type will be mandatory.
For
the first 400 miles there will be no marked trail and we must
rely on our snowmachines to locate our route and erect markers.
From, Ruby, there is a possibility that Iditarod Trail Committee
will already have marked the trail in preparation for the Iditarod
race. Provided all goes well, we should be into Nome before the
arrival of the leading race teams. It is imperative that we leave
no litter of any description along any of the trail. Feeding or
snacking dogs on the trail is forbidden. Teams should be led off
the trail (10 feet is considered adequate) before feeding or snacking.
In
the event that our progress is delayed, we may be held over at
any point to allow free and unhindered passage of the leading
Iditarod teams. We should have accurate, up to the date progress
reports on the Iditarod race standings from Ruby on and must ensure
that we do not interfere in any way with the progress of the race.
Neglect
of dogs or inhumane treatment will not be tolerated. There is
much activity by animal rights groups to have all forms of sled
dog sports outlawed. We must ensure that no possible allegations
likely to harm our sport can be directed against our group.
Equipment Requirements
Each
musher is expected to outfit themselves and their team adequately
for the trip. There will be very little opportunity to acquire
parts and supplies along the way. Coming on the trip ill prepared
and then continually borrowing from other team members will not
place you in a position you will find to your liking! The following
should be considered as a minimum:
Harness
Make
sure that the harness fits the dog. Break in new harnesses before
the trip. If the harness is too loose, the dog will get harness
rubs. A badly fitted harness can cause painful back and shoulder
injuries. The harness should be a snug fit but not too tight.
The dogs will probably lose some weight over the period of the
run. Consider taking a few extra harnesses, try to remove them
at any lengthy stop. The dogs will appreciate the feeling of freedom
and will rest better. With the harness off, they know that they
are not going to run. The harness should be well padded to prevent
chaffing and bruising.
Collar
Check
collars for wear or fraying. The collar should be tight enough
to prevent the dog pulling out of it. It is suggested that the
dog’s name is written on the collar along with your own
name and perhaps a contact telephone number.
Jacket
or Blanket
These
are particularly useful along the coastal section. Make sure that
the coats are not too tight otherwise the dogs’ own coat
will be compressed, reducing its natural insulation value.
Booties
Booties
vary widely in quality. Make sure you test a few of the type you
intend to use in different conditions. Never allow the dog to
continue running with booties that have become holed - this is
worse that no bootie at all.
It
may be possible to dry out wet booties at some of our stops. But
do not rely on this. Many villages will not allow booties or harnesses
to be washed or dried in their laundry mat, and the smell of drying
dog items is quite offensive to all but the most “doggie”
person. Depending on weather and trail conditions, 8 booties per
dog per day should be adequate (150 per dog for the trip).
Sled and Bag
The
sled should be strong enough to withstand the rigors of the trail,
fitted, it is suggested, with QCR runners. The sled and bag should
be big enough to carry all required equipment and supplies and
also big enough for you to get into should we be caught up in
severe weather conditions along the trail. Facilities should be
available to carry any injured or fatigued dog under cover.
Plastic
Runners
This
is not a race, so it is not necessary to use fancy plastics. The
black QCR plastic performs well under a wide range of temperatures
and is the cheapest. Under normal trail conditions, the black
plastic is reasonably durable, but does wear out when run over
gravel and hard ice. It is suggested that at least THREE spare
sets be available.
Cable
or Chain Neck Lines
These
are essential for securing the dog team on overnight stops. None
of us would appreciate being awakened in the middle of the night
to chase a loose dog, break up a fight or witness an unplanned
breeding.
Snow
Hooks
Conditions
will vary along the trail. It is advisable to have a snow hook
plus an ice hook. The spare hook is very useful also for securing
the front end of the team at rest stops, preventing the team from
swinging or wandering - visiting any adjacent team.
Cable
or Chain Picket Line
This
should be available to secure the dogs in Nome, but could be useful
along the trail at longer stops.
Rope
At
various times it will be necessary to tether the sled to a snowmachine.
This is done when snow or ice hooks don’t work and during
some departures when it is desirable to slow or better control
the team. The rope should be sufficiently long to run double between
the sled and the front spindles of the snowmachine ski’s.
Cooker and Pot
Water
may be available in some of the villages, but we cannot expect
HOT water to be provided. At many of our overnight stops we will
have to melt snow to provide sufficient water to feed the dogs
and for personal use. It is very important to ensure that the
cooker and pot are used to melt snow and heat water ONLY. NEVER
cook food in the pot. To feed a 10 dog team, at least 15 quarts
of water will be needed so a suitably sized pot is required (at
least 3 gallons).
Cooler
The
cooler is used to thaw frozen meat, etc. and to soak commercial
dog food in hot water. The type with a lockable lid is best, allowing
you to carry a ready soaked feed along the trail without risking
spillage in the sled bag.
Feeding
Bowls
Lightweight
aluminum or plastic bowls are fine, but are quickly destroyed
when chewed. Stainless steel is a little heavier, but far more
resistant to damage.
Sleeping
Bag
We
will be camping out a minimum of three nights without the benefit
of cabins or heaters. Make sure your bag is suitable for extreme
winter conditions. Test your bag before the trip. Can you get
into the bag with your clothes on? Will it keep you warm at 50
below in a sled bag or a tent? Some people carry two bags to allow
better matching the conditions (bag 1, bag 2, bag 1&2). Don’t
believe the manufacturer’s rating.
Tool
Kit
The
“Leatherman” tool is extremely versatile and can be
used for lots of minor repairs to a sled. A length of wire, some
strong, thin Poly rope, Duct Tape, metal saw blade, and a sewing
kit can all be used effectively for emergency repair of sleds
and sled bags. A good, sharp locking blade knife must be carried
at all times, ready to hand in case of tangles, etc.
Trail Management of Dogs
The
weather and temperature conditions can vary considerably as we
travel along the trail. Nobody knows your dogs better than you
do. Observe your dogs continuously. Look for any changes in attitude,
performance, gait, etc. Diarrhea and vomiting are easy to spot.
Excessive panting, loss of appetite, and shivering, are all signs
of potential problems. Check the feet frequently for swelling,
splits, etc. Most problems can be resolved successfully if treated
early enough.
Hyperthermia (Heat Stress)
A
hard working dog can overheat even at temperatures well below
freezing. Conditions likely to cause heat stress are warm temperatures,
bright sunshine, and high humidity when combined with work. The
dog will pant heavily with its mouth wide open and most likely
dip snow continually. If the anal temperature is above 103 F,
action must be taken immediately. The dog must not be allowed
to run. Pack the dog in snow, especially the belly and neck. Do
not load the dog into the sled until the temperature has dropped
to less than 103 F. Heat stress can lead to serious physiological
damage and death if not treated. The dog should be sent home as
soon as possible for expert treatment.
Hypothermia
Rectal
temperature below 99 F indicated hypothermia. Signs are: The dog
will curl up in a tight ball, possibly shivering; will be reluctant
to get up even after rest and show signs of confusion. The best
treatment, if spotted early enough, is to provide quick food -
a small piece of fat often helps - and warm water broth. Keep
the dog running, under careful observation, until a suitable rest
place is reached. If the condition is spotted too late, the dog
must be wrapped in some warm item such as a blanket, jacket or
even sleeping bag along with hand warmers (wrapped in cloth and
not directly in contact with the skin). Warm food and water is
essential. A hypothermic dog will likely be reluctant to eat or
drink, but the practice of using a “turkey baster”
to force-feed can be dangerous, causing fluid to be put into the
lungs and possibly leading to pneumonia. Great care must be taken,
perhaps spooning the liquid into the mouth in very small amounts.
Diarrhea
On
the Serum Run, with such a mellow schedule, diarrhea should not
be a major problem provided good hygiene is observed and the food
is not spoiled. Diarrhea is thought to result, in long distance
events, from stress, bacteria, virus, change of diet, or a combination
of all these. Meat and fat, especially poultry, spoils very quickly
if allowed to thaw / freeze / thaw. Weather conditions and temperatures
are beyond our control and food sent out along the trail may be
subject to this abuse, should the temperature rise above freezing.
Only good quality food should be sent out, but in the event you
have any concern at all about the status of meat / fat in your
food drop - consider feeding only commercial food and plenty of
water. The lack of food will have far less impact upon the dog
than would feeding rancid rations. It may be worth considering
sending excess commercial food with the food drops. It is possible
that dogs will pick up some infection along the way, in which
case, several useful medications are available. The secret is
to treat diarrhea immediately, at the first sign. Delay in treatment
could result in dehydration and a very sick dog. Imodium AD, Amforol,
Kaopoctate and Blue Heron have all been used with good effect.
Blue Heron can be given as a dietary supplement and may ward off
the onset of diarrhea. If allowed to continue untreated, diarrhea
can result in the dog having to be sent home. Watch for early
signs and act immediately.
Dehydration
Dehydration
can be difficult to detect in the early stages, but with adequate
watering, we can hopefully avoid the problem. A useful check is
the “snap” test. The skin at the back of the neck,
over the shoulders should snap back when pulled. If the skin remains
raised for a few seconds or is slow returning, the dog is most
likely suffering from dehydration. The capillary re-fill time
is found by pressing the finger on the dog’s gum. This will
leave a white mark. If the mark remains for 3 or more seconds,
action needs to be taken. The color and volume of urine is another
indicator of hydration (canine and human). It should be almost
colorless. If the urine is dark yellow or brown, dehydration is
getting severe. Heart rate is probably the best indicator of hydration
status. The normal heart rate of a rested dog should be less than
100 beats per minute (allow at least 30 minutes of rest). Over
140 beats per minute after 30 minutes of rest indicates a serious
problem requiring professional assistance (intravenous fluids)
which is unlikely to be available to us on the Serum Run. DO NOT
ALLOW A DOG TO GET INTO THIS SITUATION. You will have plenty of
time to ensure adequate hydration during our lengthy rest stops.
Foot
Problems
This
is a very common problem seen in long distance sled dogs under
racing conditions. The schedule planned for the Serum Run should
minimize the likelihood of major problems arising, provided you
take care of your dogs. On average you will be traveling approximately
50 miles per day, which should involve at the most 7 to 10 hours
of traveling. This will leave 14 to 17 hours at each rest stop
- more than adequate time to ensure good feeding for the dogs
and for yourself, enough rest, and time to spend with your dogs.
As with most things, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of
cure. Any developing foot problems can be detected, treated, and
prevented from getting serious.
Swollen,
red pads - This condition is often seen when running on ice or
hard packed trails. Gentle massage at the rest stop can often
reduce this swelling. Furasin with dexamethasone is an excellent
treatment, but must never be used where cuts or broken skin is
present. Dexamethasone prevents a wound from healing creating
an even bigger problem.
Cuts
and Abrasions are often seen after running over broken, icy trails,
crusted snow or other sharp surfaces. Betadine ointment should
be massaged into the feet and booties fitted.
Web
splits - Granular snow (sugar snow) and wind blown snow can cause
this type of injury. Spread the toes and examine the pads and
between the toes. Initially, the skin gets worse with oozing sores,
a perfect host condition for infection. Untreated foot infections
can lead to death in less than 24 hours. When conditions are likely
to give rise to injuries fit booties. You must examine feet regularly
to ensure that booties do not have any holes or ice buildup.
Nail
Bed Injuries can occur from breaking through overflow ice or crusted
snow (e.g. after freezing rain).
FOOT
TREATMENTS:
Normal
Feet - No ointment needed, but a smear of Furacin and gentle massage
of the pads really helps.
Small Splits - Zinc Oxide plus booties
Severe Splits - Clean feet with antiseptic. Apply Betadine Ointment
and bootie. If the inflammation is severe give Amoxicillin tablet.
Nail Bed Injury - Clean with antiseptic. Apply Betadine Ointment
and bootie.
Swollen Pads - Gentle massage and fit bootie. Provided there are
no breaks in the skin, Furacin with Dexamethasone can be applied.
Good
feet are the result of good breeding, good conditioning and good
care. Feet should be examined at regular intervals during the
run. Try giving the dogs a small snack every ten miles or every
hour and quickly check feet while stopped.
With
the low daily mileage and long rest stops planned for the Serum
Run, there should be no reason to have major problems with dehydration,
diarrhea or foot injuries. Pay attention to any changes in attitude,
gait, temperament, etc. While running and at rest. Thoroughly
check your dogs as soon as possible after reaching a rest stop.
Take time to check heart rate, temperature, hydration and feet.
Early detection of potential problems is well worth the effort.
Talk to your Veterinarian and ask for advice on examination techniques,
useful medications, etc.
Nutrition
The
accepted maintenance requirement of an Alaskan sled dog of 25-kg
(55 lb.) while on the chain in the yard, not doing any work is
approximately 2500 Kilocalories (Kcal). Much work has been done
to determine the nutritional requirements of sled dogs on such
races as the Iditarod, Yukon Quest, and the Copper Basin 300.
The results of this work suggest that the dogs require up to 12,000
Kilocalories per day.
We
will be covering half the daily distance covered by teams in racing
situations. It is likely that the energy requirements of the dogs
on the Serum Run will be in the region of 7500 to 8000 Kilocalories
per day. With this level of food intake, it is essential to ensure
adequate water intake. This enables the body to get rid of the
waste products, via urination. It is likely that the dogs will
require in excess of 5 quarts of water per day.
Below
is a rough guide to caloric values of common dog feed. This will
vary depending on the source and quality.
