Atmautluak hosts a local mushing competition every year. It is the Henry and Levi Nicholai Memorial Dog Mushing Race. James, the father, has a wall full of mushing trophies. These "men" mushers came from neighboring villages bringing their dogs in crates bunjie corded to flat sleds. There was one unique dog sled. It was a plywood box on top of a flat sled with six sections. Dogs were lifted in and out. Seemed to work just fine! Men competed for big money. First place was $800 and down from there. Prize money came from fundraising and Bingo. Women and children had mushing contests also.
This musher spent a lot of time talking to his dogs as he held them.
School is out about 1:30 on Fridays for the students so many rushed down to watch.
Melvin is an active musher. He retired this year after 30 years as our school's lead maintenance man. He's holding his dogs for his son to run.
This is Frankie taking a picture of her father before he heads out. Note the jeans....Says he has two pairs on. He feels he gets too hot in snowpants. He is new to mushing having owned just two dogs last year.
The race was about 17 miles long and the finishers were to take about an hour to finish.
First musher to come in over the rise and onto the river.
A couple passing the time collecting willow for the steam bath.
The plywood six section traveling dog sled waiting.
Future mushers!
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