Dog Sled Team Rescues Stranded Alaskan Tourists

Lori Ennis
by Lori Ennis
A group of Alaskan tourists got an authentic experience when a team of Alaskan sled dogs had to rescue their stuck SUV from the snow — Iditarod Style!


Imagine you take the dream trip to Alaska– fly-fishing, nature watching, all the picturesque scenery to take in–a tourist’s dream.


Now imagine you’re checking out a scenic river near Fairbanks and your Sports Utility Vehicle gets stuck in the snow. What do you do?


Related: How To Be an Expert Athletic Supporter at Dog Sled Races


One fortunate group of tourists who had just this thing happened were dramatically rescued when a local dog musher, Neil Eklund, and his son noticed their situation. The tourists may not have realized the risk they took by driving to the Chena River area, according to Eklund. He said that in recent years, cars that drove on top of the frozen surfaces have been known to fall through.


Eklund was on his way home when he saw the sightseers and he and his dogs jumped into action to pull them out. He said his team of nine dogs had never pulled a car out of the snow before, but knowing the power they had, he wasn’t concerned that they’d not be able to rescue them.


Related: Dogs Get A Kick Out Of Kicksledding


Eklund said they all tugged and pushed the car while the dogs pulled in unison to get the car out of the bank and that the dogs had a great time helping the stranded tourists.


Though this is the first car pull, he was a participant in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Races in 1981 and 1983 and is now training with his son to run the Yukon Quest Dog Race as well as the Iditarod again.


It’s not every day that you have a professional dog sled team rescue you on vacation…but a souvenir story those tourists will remember forever!

Lori Ennis
Lori Ennis

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