Yukon Quest

(707)892-0546

Alaska / Yukon / Adventure

1000 Miles! Either a musher, an official, handler or volunteer, its a Quest for everyone!

A race started in a local Alaskan bar when local mushers got together and wanted to create something amazing. The Yukon Quest is exactly that. Unlike the Iditarod, the Yukon Quest maintains a feeling of community; checkpoints that are unpopulated cabins for the remainder of the year become towns for the week of the race. Volunteers return year after year and create a sense of a family reunion while waiting for mushers.

1000 miles is no short feat. Grueling temperatures, extreme conditions, sleep deprivation, constant traveling. Even for photographers the race proves to be a Quest. A quest that I continue to look forward to as the years progress; for the challenge, the experience, and the love of the adventure.

Whitehorse to Fairbanks or Fairbanks to Whitehorse the race is never the same but always familiar.

The Yukon Quest Trail follows historical Gold Rush and mail delivery dog sled routes from the turn of the 20th Century. Once the transportation “highways” of the Northern frontier, the Yukon Quest Trail now comes alive each February with the frosty breath and haunting howls of hundreds of sled dogs. Up to 50 dog teams consisting of one human ‘musher’ and 14 canine athletes tread across some of the last pristine wilderness remaining in North America.

The spirit of the Yukon Quest is still true to its northern soul. Mushers carry mandatory equipment, food and supplies at all times. Sleds cannot be replaced without penalty, and mushers are not permitted to accept any assistance, except at the half-way point in Dawson City. The Yukon Quest Trail crosses frozen rivers and four mountain summits. Temperatures of -40, 100 mph winds, open water and bad ice are all barriers. There are nine checkpoints; some separated by more than 200 miles.

Race updates provide information on team positions, progress and times as mushers check in and out of checkpoints. “Dog drop” locations are also strategically positioned along the route, offering additional locations where race veterinarians are available (YukonQuest.com)

YQ 2018
I am so excited to be a part of the Yukon Quest Media team for the Third year. This will be my fourth year following the whole race and my fifth year involved overall. There is still plenty that I haven’t learned and I face great challenges each year!

YQ 2017
I had a great time as a member of the Visual content team, I was able to get my brother involved and now he’s coming back again this year (2018). We had a great Quest together and learned so much!