Alaskan History
The Alaska Dog Team from the 1922 Rand McNally Guide to Alaska and the Yukon The dog team will always be a part, in fact, the greatest factor in transportation in the northern country. In winter as soon as a person leaves the railroad, or the automobile roads, he is in need of the dog team as much as before the coming railroads, automobiles, or the horse. Many times when the country is struck with storms all other means of transportation are tied up. Traveling in the interior after October 15th is by dog team, which can be hired for about $25 per day, this amount covering charge for driver and his board, and food for the dogs en route. The equipment includes dogs, harness, sled kettles, and pans for feeding; snowshoes for driver, robe for sled, tarpaulin and charcoal foot-warmer, in fact, all the traveler needs for his comfort except his personal clothing. Such a team should, when trails are well broken, make from 25 to 35 miles a day and haul 600 or 700 pounds. A team may consist of from 5 to 25 dogs, 7 being a sufficient number for the average purpose. When undertaking a journey the traveler should see for himself that the following emergency articles are in the sled bag: Dog moccasins for use should sore feet develop; a bottle of turpentine; a can of vaseline, a large bottle of castor oil, and some powdered areca nut; also a can containing woolen cloths well soaked in kerosene, these for use should the traveler get wet feet.
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