Source
Scholastic News Online

Scholastic News Online is a free resource with breaking news and highlights from the print magazine.

Available for grades 1-6, Scholastic News magazine brings high-interest current events and nonfiction to millions of classrooms each week.

Additionally, our subscribers have FREE access to Scholastic News Interactive, an exclusive online learning tool featuring digital editions, videos, interactive features, differentiated articles, and much more.


For Educators - Subscribe to Scholastic News
Teacher

Tales From the Trail

By Hannah Moderow | March 3 , 2007

dog taking a nap
Piney takes a nap in a jacket. (Photo: Courtesy Hannah Moderow)
March 3—Day 14

Old Woman to Unalakleet
Danger on Ice


We left the Yukon River behind yesterday, and today we completed the overland section to the sea.  From the pizza parlor in Unalakleet (yes, there is actually pizza in Unalakleet!) we looked out on the bay we will cross tomorrow.  The vastness of the sea is intimidating after our 13 days of narrow trails and the meandering Yukon River.

Today’s route was relatively easy to mush, with a steady downward slope.  Things got interesting, however, when we hit ice on the Unalakleet River.  There is virtually no way to stop a dog team on ice unless you chop a hole in the ice to set the snow hook.  This proved to be a difficult task.  

The dogs were running fast downriver, and I realized we were supposed to turn right up the bank.  I called “Gee” to the lead dogs, but they were determined to follow the river.  Normally in this situation, I would stop the team, set the snow hook, and lead them to the right trail.  Today, however, I couldn’t stop on ice.  Frantic to make the turn, I grabbed my ax from the sled, and tried to slow the team enough to chop a hole.  

In a scramble to stop, I dropped the ax.  My heart sank, realizing that all chances of stopping were over without my ax.  Luckily, after only a few minutes, some friendly people from Unalakleet drove by on a snow machine.  I waved for help, and they guided my team to the correct trail.  I didn’t get their names, but a big thank you must be said!  I might still be mushing down the river without their help.  Instead, I have a belly full of pizza, and it is time to rest up for the wild trail to Shaktoolik tomorrow.  

About the Author

Hannah Moderow is a musher and writer for Scholastic News Online.


  • Scholastic Store
  • The Scholastic Store  
    Mush! Sled Dogs of the Iditarod

    Mush! Sled Dogs of the Iditarod

    by Joe Funk

    The Iditarod has been called the "Last Great Race on Earth." Spanning over 1,150 miles of the roughest terrain in the world, this race crosses jagged mountain ranges, frozen rivers, forest, tundra, and miles of windswept coast. Add to that the below-zero temperatures, winds that cause complete loss of visibility, long hours of darkness, treacherous climbs--and you know this nickname is no joke.

    A race this rugged would not even be possible for the human competitors (or "mushers") without their sled dogs! With between twelve to fifteen per team and over fifty teams competing, there are nearly 750 dogs that compete in this race every year. Doggy-lovers and children everywhere will love to learn about these dogs and just how exactly they manage to compete in this grueling race. MUSH! will teach young readers about the Iditarod, the mushers, and the dogs whose history dates back to the famous Balto. Full-color photos will be used throughout to complement the informative text.

    $3.49 You save: 30%
    books;paperback books;paperbacks | Ages 8-11
    Add To Cart
    Mush! Sled Dogs of the Iditarod
    Ages 8-11 $3.49
  • Teacher Store
  • The Teacher Store  
    Alaska

    Alaska

    by Barbara A. Somervill

    Another great title from Scholastic. Detailed description coming soon.

    $7.95
    Paperback Book | Grades 4-5
    Add To Cart
    Educators Only
    Alaska
    Grades 4-5 $7.95
    Add To Cart
Help | Privacy Policy
EMAIL THIS

* YOUR FIRST NAME ONLY

* FRIEND'S FIRST NAME ONLY

* FRIEND'S EMAIL ADDRESS

MESSAGE
Here's something interesting from Scholastic.com


Scholastic respects your privacy. We do not retain or distribute lists of email addresses.