Equipment Required on Sled During the Iditarod

DK and SK

A musher must have with him/her at all times the following items:

1. Proper cold weather sleeping bag weighing a minimum of 5 lbs.

---Since the weather in Alaska is sometimes harsh, the racers need a heavy sleeping bag to keep themselves warm.

2. Axe, head to weigh a minimum of 1-3/4 lbs., handle to be at least 22" long.

---If there were to be an emergency and the musher was forced to make a shelter for him/herself and his team, he/she would need an axe to work with the wood.

3. One pair of snowshoes with bindings, each snowshoe to be at least 252 square inches in size.

---If the musher were to fall off his/her sled, which is more than likely to occur, the snowshoes would make it simpler to get back to his/her sled.

4. Any promotional material provided by the ITC.

---This one left us confused, as there was no information on this needed item, though we did find that ITC stands for Iditarod Trail Committee.

5. Eight booties for each dog in the sled or in use.

---The booties would keep the dogs’ feet nice and cozy when running.  Since the booties are only about 80¢ apiece, they’re not made out of the strongest material.  Therefore, they will not hold up throughout the whole race.  So, an extra pair of booties for each dog will be needed.

6. One operational cooker and pot capable of boiling at least three (3) gallons of water.

---If a musher and his/her team were to be stranded in the middle of nowhere, they would need an operational cooker and a pot to cook food for him/herself and his/her team.

7. Veterinarian notebook, to be presented to the veterinarian at each checkpoint.

---If one of a musher’s dogs was sick or injured and they were not sure how to care for it, they could look in their veterinarian notebook to find out how.  This could prevent the situation from getting any worse.

Gear may be checked at all checkpoints except Eagle River, Wasilla, Knik and Safety.

Mushers' diaries will be checked only by the veterinarian.