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Alaska... Science vs religion (fishing restrictions) [click here]


There are 2 sides to every situation, the question is... can we come to a conclusion that will satisfy both?

I understand the significance of religious points of view and wanting to maintain the culture, however, if regulations aren't followed, how long until there won't be any fish to fish? There would be no way to pass down that part of culture except through stories.

Maybe I'm looking at this the wrong way, but I'm almost seeing the tables turned here. White man's regulations are trying to preserve for generations to come where the stubbornness of some threaten to kill off a centuries old way of life. Is it truly about religious/cultural freedoms or is it about sticking it to the man?

Avalanche

So I don't have mountains to make an Avalanche possible, however, Anchorage does. An avalanche blocked the only highway out of Anchorage early this morning and there are no current estimates of when it might be clear.

KUSKOKWIM 300, pt 3 of 3

Some teams opt to have a snowmachine pull them back in the beginning instead of using their brakes

Pulling hard and enjoying every minute of it

Out of the start - in the Dark

 

Teams stagger out of the game in groups of 2. 2 teams here.

2 teams

The path was lit by truck light, most on their running lights, but some on all the way (it helped get better pictures)

Believe it or not, this was after the start of the race. You get the sunset in the distance though

Someones truck all lit-up

Sign in Race Headquarters on Friday night - Not sure where it's normally posted.

  

All pictures were taken while standing outside in -10 degree with about -30 windchill, while standing on 5-8 feet of ice over a flowing river

All Photos taken by Erin B.

KUSKOKWIM 300, pt 2 or 3

Traditional Parka

Those patterns are NOT cloth, the entire parka is fur

Beautiful

Front of Start/Finish line

Lining up at the starting line

First team out... don't the eyes look a little creepy?

A little bit of snapping at each other out of the gate.

The snow-cloud being kicked-up is the the Musher using his breaks at the beginning to

All photos taken by Erin B

KUSKOKWIM 300, pt 1 or 3

I just experienced the beginning of my first dogsled race. I did get some quite decent pictures before the sun when down, but the race itself was in the dark so not as many then. I'll try and get more as the weekend progresses. And I'm volunteering on Sunday to man headquarters so I'll update the board, the internet and answer calls as people come in. Or sell stuff.

Race Map - The start in Bethel and up to Aniak and back.

Dogs use the booties to help protect their feet on the ice

The coats are for protection to, though many also have reflective tape

Anxiously awaiting the start

One of the sleds with gear for the trip

Rigging up the team

Back of the starting line with part of a team hooked up

They brought he dogs to the course loaded in the back of trucks. Some in Kennels and some just in pallets of hay

Check out those eyes

The Musher stands on the blades but also has brakes they can stand on to slow things down a bit

Waiting his turn

One of the many fur hats seen during this time of the year

Various winter weather wear

Another Fur Hat

Hanging with the team

Taking dogs up to hook up.

Waiting patiently

Back of the starting line

Starting to get riled up

A dog from Underwood's team

They know it's getting close

Rigging up a dog wearing a fur ruff

Still sitting patiently

All photos taken by Erin B