Yukon Quest was tough but Njootli didn't quit

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In 26 years of mushing dogs, Stan Njootli has faced his most difficult challenges competing in the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race.

During his first attempt in the world's toughest sled dog race, the musher from Old Crow was forced to scratch after his dogs were infected with a virus. Undaunted, he returned the following year and placed 18th, winning the Red Lantern Award that goes to the last musher to finish the race.

Race judge Joe May described Njootli's team that year as the healthiest last position team he'd ever seen, according to John Firth's book, Yukon Quest.

"I'm really impressed with what Stan has done and with what he's learned about dog care since he's started this race," May was quoted as saying.

After taking a year off, Njootli entered the 1998 race but was forced to scratch in Pelly Crossing due to skyrocketing temperatures - well above the freezing mark - which were overheating his dogs. Hard trail conditions were also giving his dogs sore feet.

It takes a lot of courage, determination and perseverance to complete the grueling 1,600 km race between Whitehorse, Yukon and Fairbanks, Alaska. Despite his aborted attempts and last place finish, the land and resource manager for the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation entered this year's race hoping to achieve better results.

Yet on crossing the finish line 16th out of 29 contenders, his victory was bittersweet. Throughout the 11-day race, his team of Alaskan Huskies ran at a strong and steady pace, keeping Njootli within the mid-pack of racers. Unfortunately tragedy struck 15 minutes outside of Dawson City, when one of his dogs suddenly collapsed and died.

The distraught musher packed the dog onto his sled and mushed to the mid-race checkpoint where race veterinarians examined the body and later shipped it by plane to Fairbanks.Race officials permitted the 46-year-old competitor to continue the race.

A necropsy was performed by a veterinary pathologist at the University of Alaska.

Ice Cream, a six-year-old male Alaskan Husky had been running normally up to the point where he changed his stance slightly and abruptly collapsed while in harness. The necropsy determined that the dog died of acute liver failure. The veterinary pathologist added that he believed the condition was hereditary and was difficult to detect as there were few symptoms. Blood and tissue tests were done to determine what caused the liver to quit functioning. No evidence of a virus, infection, toxin or poison was found.

"We're going to continue on from here," said Njootli to reporters. "It's like anything else in life, you can't quit. That's what the North is all about."

The $125,000 race purse is divided among the first 15 finishers. While he did not win any money, Njootli was given the Pelly Award for being the first Native musher into Pelly Crossing. The award was donated by the Selkirk First Nation.

Living in the Yukon's northernmost community (only accessible by air) posed many logistical challenges for Njootli. The harsh conditions and bitterly cold temperatures make training almost impossible. So in early January, he flew 14 dogs into Whitehorse from Old Crow to train them in more favorable conditions.

Njootli has also had difficulty recruiting handlers to help with kennel care as they are unwilling to move to such a remote and inaccessible place. However, this year, the Centre for Interim Programs sent him a handler from Greenville, South Carolina. Kevin Lupo, who had applied to the Massachusetts centre which offers alternative education and work experience through internships, volunteer positions and apprenticeships worldwide, enjoyed his Yukon experience and said he'd caught the mushing bug too.

As for Njootli and his partner Sharon Maureen Vittrekwa, running dogs is more than competing in sled dog races - it is a way of life. Prior to the arrival of snowmobiles, the Gwitchin people mushed for generations using dogs to hunt the Porcupine caribou herd. In learing about musing, Njootli tried to combine traditional knowledge about dog teams with the ultra-modern fabrics and materials of the contemporary mushing world.

By doing the Quest, Njootli said he hopes to get more young people involved with the sport and bring mushing back into popularity. There are now about eight dog teams in Old Crow.