Making the Musher

Rookie mushers come and go. It takes countless hours and training to become an Iditarod great. On the next episode of Outdoor Explorer, we’re talking to a handful of mushers who are on that journey. They scoop poop. They cut up a lot of raw meat. It’s not glamorous work, but they’re chasing down a dream as Iditarod sled dogs gun it for Nome.

Listen Now:

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If you’re a student at Begich Middle School, you might know this face as Mr. Walters, the band teacher. But Walters is also an avid dog musher, and he’s making his first Iditarod run this year. Photo courtesy Philip Walters.

HOST: Charles Wohlforth

GUESTS: 

  • Christian Turner, handler, Seavey kennels
  • Philip Walters, Iditarod rookie 2015, Begich Middle School teacher by day, avid dog musher the rest of the time
  • Liz Millman, handler, Dee Dee Jonrowe
  • Alaska historian and writer Laurel Downing Bill joins us at the midbreak with an excerpt from her book series, Aunt Phil’s Trunk – the chapter is called “Sled Dogs Lead the Way.”

LINKS: 

BROADCAST: Thursday, March 5, 2015, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. AKDT

REPEAT BROADCAST:  Thursday, March 5, 2015, 9:00 – 10:00 p.m. AKDT

SUBSCRIBE: Receive Outdoor Explorer automatically every week via

Go to OUTDOOREXPLORER.ORG

Audio to be posted following broadcast

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Last year, Liz Millman got wind that Dee Dee Jonrowe needed an extra handler. So she packed her life up and headed for Alaska. Hear from Liz on the next Outdoor Explorer. Photo courtesy Liz Millman.
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