Living Off-Grid And Mushing In Alaska w/Julia DeLoach

Join host Robert Forto as he welcomes musher, Julia DeLoach to talk about her off-grid lifestyle and mushing dogs in Alaska.

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Editor’s Note: Transcriptions of episodes of the Mushing Podcast are created with a mix of speech recognition software and human transcribers, and may contain some grammatical errors or slight deviations from the audio.

Julia DeLoach, a musher from Trapper Creek, Alaska, shares her experience and insights into the world of dog mushing. She discusses the optimal temperature for running sled dogs and the challenges and advantages of living in a remote area. Julia talks about her favorite races and the dogs that have made an impact on her mushing career. She also shares stories of memorable moments on the trail and the importance of veteran dogs in teaching younger dogs. Julia discusses how she balances her full-time job with training her dogs and her plans for the future, including participating in the 440 race and working in Skagway.

Takeaways

Living in a remote area like Trapper Creek, Alaska, provides unique opportunities for dog mushing, with access to trails and rivers.
Veteran dogs play a crucial role in teaching younger dogs and ensuring a successful team.
Balancing a full-time job with training and caring for sled dogs requires dedication and a love for the sport.
The future of dog mushing looks promising, with a growing junior mushing scene and a renewed interest in expeditions and long-distance races.

Chapters

00:00: Introduction and Weather

01:00: Background and Experience in Mushing

03:22: Optimal Temperature for Sled Dog Running

04:20: Living in Trapper Creek, Alaska

05:17: Access to Trails and Rivers

06:14: Daily Activities and Involvement

07:32: Favorite Races and Races to Bring Back

08:30: Favorite Dogs and Memorable Stories

10:23: Start of Races and Race Mishaps

13:17: Age Range of Dogs

14:45: Favorite Dog Zombie and Leader Scarlett

21:20: Future of Dog Mushing

24:09: Working in Skagway and Future Plans

26:00: Impact of Dog Tours on Mushing

27:27: Conclusion