Iditarod 2009 In Doubt Because Of Mt. Redoubt

Mount Redoubt in Alaska has erupted three times in the last century. The last eruption in 1989 spewed volcanic ash to a height of 45,000 ft and ash covered more than 7000 square miles. In the last month, the volcano has become active again and scientists from the Alaska Volcano Observatory are monitoring Mt. Redoubt around the clock. An eruption of the volcano in the next few weeks is now considered likely.

Meanwhile, the activity of this Alaskan volcano has placed the Iditarod 2009 Dog Sled Race in doubt due to the prospect of a cloud of unhealthy volcanic ash. The 38th Iditarod is currently scheduled to begin in Anchorage on March 7, 2009 unless the volcano erupts and changes or cancels the event.

Of course, nobody can predict how big the cloud of volcanic ash will be or if Mt. Redoubt will even erupt. The race could be moved to an alternative race route if the eruption is minor. However, one thing is for sure, inhaling volcanic ash, is as harmful to dogs as it is to humans. So, a major eruption of the volcano will require the race be postponed or cancelled.

Usually the challenge of the Iditarod race is the extreme cold and snow. The weather conditions during the race are often extreme with temperatures and wind chill that are far below zero. In the past, dog sled teams have raced through blizzards without visibility, and in sub-zero weather with gale-force winds which can cause the wind chill to reach -100 °F. This year a restless volcano that National Geographic considers one of the ten most dangerous in the world could add yet another element of complexity to the race.

If Iditarod 2009 does get underway on March 7, seventy two mushers and their dog sled teams will be competing for victory. The problem for seventy one of these contestants will once again be current Iditarod champion, Lance Mackey. Mackey has won the race in each of the last two years.

Last year, Mackey lost a key lead dog early in the race and another dog ended up with an infected foot that made it difficult for him to continue on. The problems with his dogs made the race a very competitive contest throughout. Once Mackey took the lead at Ruby on the Yukon River, just past the halfway mark, he always had the 16-dog team of four-time champ Jeff King lurking close behind.

So, will this contest often called "The Last Great Race On Earth" happen in March this year? Its up to Mt. Redoubt and right now that puts Iditarod 2009 in considerable doubt.

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