This was my first race with a *competitive* team. However, it didn't turn out that I was really all that competitive. Only the wildest imaginantion can describe what the other mushers likely thought as my single cab Chevy proudly drove into the hotel parking lot--stacked high with a small second hand sled (you know the ones you can buy as a kit) sitting atop 5 airline crates, baggage, dog food and water buckets all tightly tucked into every possible, tuckable corner.
Oh, the innocence!
This race became the first of many lessons still to come. This was the first time a clear picture of the amount of work it would take to be even remotely successful in this sport.
As far as the race goes, I ran 5 dogs in the 8-dog class. After all I did train almost up to 12 miles that year with the 4-wheeler running all the way --no problem--WRONG!

At this point something must be said for the determination of those five Seppalas that not only completed the run but ran again the next day with enthusiams still in tack. That particular year they ran the race up the steepest part of the mountain approximately 5-6 miles...literaly straight up. The dogs and I were exhausted by the time we reached the top of the mountain, not to mention discouraged at running another 7 miles to get back to the truck and even more discouraged thinking about returning the next day to do it again. Fortunately, since that year, the course has been run in reverse, so now we get to go down the steepest part!
The team included Harry in lead, Zip & Jamba in point, and Ushi & Bristall in wheel.