Environment & Energy
Related: About this forumIditarod Start Moves 300 Miles North From Near Anchorage To Fairbanks; Not Enough Snow
A lack of snow in the Alaska community where the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race traditionally begins has forced organizers to move the starting line about 300 miles (480 kilometers) north, to Fairbanks, for the second time in the event's 43-year history.
Recent helicopter surveys of the Alaska Range near Willow, the town just north of Anchorage where the roughly 1,000-mile (1,600 kilometer) race usually begins, revealed that "snow conditions were worse in critical areas than in 2014 and therefore not safe enough for the upcoming race," the Iditarod Trail Committee said in a statement.
Seventy-nine teamseach consisting of 16 sled dogs and a human musherare gearing up for the endurance race that is a symbol of Alaska's rugged frontier culture. This year's race begins March 9; winners typically have taken eight to ten days to complete the course, often in blizzard and whiteout conditions. (Read "5 Surprising Facts About the Iditarod Dog Sled Race."
"It's unfortunate that we have to make this very important decision this far out, but the task of getting tons of supplies and equipment in the right places, on time, begins this week," Mark Nordman, the race director, said in a statement.
EDIT
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2015/02/150212-iditarod-dogs-sled-race-alaska-global-warming-science/
riversedge
(70,330 posts)2naSalit
(86,823 posts)Dog sled races are also a big set of events in the the towns and National Forests around Yellowstone NP, the latest one being a week ago in West Yellowstone, MT where it RAINED all day Saturday.
For the last three days local radio has been making frequent announcements that go like this:
Due to unusually warm weather, and out of concern for the safety of dogs and mushers alike, the race committee has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2015 American Dog Derby. We truly appreciate the support of our mushers, sponsors and the community of Ashton. Look forward to seeing you all in 2016!
http://www.americandogderby.com/
It's just too warm here too.