Chinook by George Hosier II - Fandom

I’m always glued to the news during mushing season. Following the Yukon Quest and the Iditarod is like a shot of adrenaline to me. I guess it’s a vicarious thrill for a guy who will never get to be one of the great ones. Although I once rode on a dogsled, I have a secret phobia of spending a thousand miles trying to kill myself by frostbite, fatigue, hypothermia, sleep deprivation, moose mauling and dog drool drowning. As a result, I’ll always be a musher in spirit only—a fan, you might say.

However, to my dismay, I have discovered that mushing is an ostracized and persecuted sport, barely tolerated by other members of the sports enthusiast community. I don’t really understand why mushing fans are so shunned. Clearly, it is macho to be a crazed sports nut. Given the slightest nudge of encouragement, many of my male friends will talk about sports for hours, but as soon as I introduce the subject of dog sledding, their demeanor of comradeship and solidarity evaporates into sneers and jibes.

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