On a recent episode of the Burled Arch podcast, we profiled rookie Iditarod musher, Emily Ford.
Ever since she was a child, Emily Ford felt the call of the vast, untamed wilderness of Alaska. In her youthful imagination, it was the ultimate playground filled with wild adventures waiting to be explored. Yet, as life often does, her dreams of an Alaskan winter slipped to the back burner—until fate intervened in the form of her partner, Anna Hennessy.
Anna ignited a spark within Emily, crafting a plan to immerse themselves in the rugged beauty of Alaska during the winter months, all in preparation for her ambitious goal: the Iditarod sled dog race. Their journey led them to the Shameless Huskies Kennel in Willow, where they began to carve a path toward adventure and ambition.
At the kennel, surrounded by the joyful barks and boundless energy of their sled dogs, Emily fell in love with the spirit of racing. Every day spent with the dogs brought her closer to the harsh yet beautiful rhythms of winter, and she found joy in sharing countless hours in their company. Initially, she thought she would remain a handler, supporting from the sidelines. However, her time on the runners transformed that notion. The thrill of racing ignited a passion within her; the Iditarod began to take shape as the ultimate adventure she had always yearned for.
The Goose Bay 150 served as Emily’s introduction to the exhilarating world of competitive mushing. Each moment on the trail revealed a deeper calling, and as she steered through the snow with her team, she could envision the Iditarod—the legendary 1,000-mile trek from Anchorage to Nome—becoming her grand adventure. In 2024, she solidified her commitment by completing two more qualifiers, the Copper Basin and Kobuk races, paving the way for her brave attempt at the Iditarod in 2025.
As she embarks on this extraordinary journey, Emily carries with her the legacy of trailblazers like Matthew Henson, the first person of African descent to reach the North Pole, and Iditarod finishers Becca Moore and Newton Marshall. Their courage and tenacity resonate deeply with her, igniting a fierce desire to represent black individuals in the icy outdoors.
With each stride on the snow, Emily is driven by a profound purpose: to show that adventure belongs to everyone. It is a right that transcends race, gender identity, and upbringing. Through her endeavors, she strives to illuminate pathways for those who have been underrepresented in outdoor spaces.
In the majestic embrace of winter, Emily Ford is not just chasing her own dreams; she is forging a trail for others, inviting everyone to discover the beauty and freedom that the great outdoors offers. Together, she hopes to redefine adventure, one sled dog race at a time.
We are using a cool card deck that Robert found at an outdoor conference a couple of years ago to help come up with ideas for this story. Check them out here