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Login to post Forums » Off-topic discussion » Went to a different kind of race

Jan. 17, 2010 7:10 p.m. rebelgtp Dork

Well this last weekend I went to a different kind of race, a sled dog race! I went the the Eagle Cap Extreme up in Joseph Oregon.

I had never actually gone to a sled dog race before so it was certainly a cool experience for the limited amount of time that I was there. I sadly had to miss quite a bit of the 3 day event due to school. I was there for the start of the races they were running both a 100 and a 200 mile race. The 200 is actually Oregons only qualifier for the Iditarod race and a couple racers did qualify. That was Thursday afternoon then I came back Saturday morning and afternoon for the finish of the 200 mile runners.

I lugged my camera gear up and took around 400 shots on two days that I was there. I actually will get a chance to use some of the shots for my photojournalism class as we have a sports project we have to do.

All in all it was quite a bit of fun and the people up there were really nice, invited us to the banquet afterward (which we sadly could not attend due to having to get back home) and taught us a lot about dog racing. I think next year I'm going to volunteer to work the event. They said they are looking for photographers to go out on snowmobiles to follow the action. That should be fun.

Here are a couple of shots from the day.
Jan. 17, 2010 7:15 p.m. cwh SuperDork

I've seen a few pics and videos of dog racing, and all the dogs just look like they are having a ball! Maybe we should get them some little doggy GTM stickers for their harnesses. Have a class at the challenge for dog carts. Hmmm.
Jan. 17, 2010 7:30 p.m. Lesley SuperDork

Great pics! I went once, in Minden Ontario, but it was so bloody cold it wasn't a lot of fun. Would love to go again sometime.
Jan. 17, 2010 7:33 p.m. rebelgtp Dork

Yeah it wasn't to bad when we were up there except for when the wind was blowing. On Thursday it was about 38 degrees or so and very sunny. On Saturday it was very over cast and 33 but the wind was picking up more so it felt MUCH colder.
Jan. 17, 2010 9:09 p.m. carguy123 SuperDork

Shoes on the dogs?

What for? The cold or rough terrain?
Jan. 17, 2010 9:29 p.m. SVreX PowerDork

Awesome!

I've got a cousin who breeds sled dogs in Alaska. I wanna go!
Jan. 17, 2010 9:35 p.m. rebelgtp Dork

Yep the shoes are for both the cold and terrain actually. They also help prevent the build up of ice between the pads. The snow during this race was kinda nasty it had had some thaw and refreeze multiple times that made it rather hard and course.
Jan. 17, 2010 10:32 p.m. Lesley SuperDork

The dogs always look like they're having the most fun of all.
Jan. 18, 2010 12:33 a.m. rebelgtp Dork

Lesley wrote:

The dogs always look like they're having the most fun of all.

Yep they always look like they are having a blast however they looked dang tired by the end of the race.
Jan. 19, 2010 10:51 p.m. rebelgtp Dork

Here is a good shot of one of the sleds. This one was actually the odd ball because it was mostly wood and not metal.
Jan. 22, 2010 9:23 a.m. snipes Reader

The dog on the left looks like mine.

My dog

But the sleepy dog is the best one.
Jan. 22, 2010 9:44 a.m. rebelgtp Dork

snipes wrote:

But the sleepy dog is the best one.

well after running 200 miles who wouldn't be sleepy

That pic of your dog is a riot, looks like he is ready to go for a ride.

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