2010 will be Aliy’s 10th aniversary of racing the Iditarod. With that in mind, Natural Extremes is planning a special group of trips. We are hoping to share some of the Iditarod country with interested folks. So why not start our Mushing Excursion Trips from the Iditarod Finish Line in Nome, Alaska?

Our plan is to mush to Pilgrim Hot Springs, about 50 miles out of the historic gold mining town. We would have a "day off" at the hot springs and then we would mush back. Overall, we will have a "introduction to mushing day" based in Nome, 4 days of mushing on the trail, a day at the hot springs and a "recovery day" in Nome - at the finish line. The trip will be 7 days plus travel days - 8 days total.

We will begin and end the trip in Nome and there is great history in this Alaskan town. Once the largest city in Alaska, estimates of Nome's population during the gold rush at the turn of the 20th century reached as high as 20,000. Nome was incorporated on April 9, 1901, the oldest city in Alaska.. In addition to all of its history, old and new, we are also fortunate to have family in Nome. It is a very welcoming place for us.

We will have snow machine support on these trips since the Western coast of Alaska. We will be using our traditional Arctic Oven Tents with wood stoves as well as cabins. In Nome, we have been talking to a Bed and Breakfast for our accommodations. Natural Extremes will provide all outer winter gear - parkas, mitts and overboots, as well as winter sleeping bags and cots. Each musher will have his or her own dog team. There are a few more details to finalize and Aliy is heading out to Nome in September to talk to folks.

The cost of the Mushing Excursion is $3,500 per person. This includes lodging during the trip, food and fun. You will need to arrive in Nome, Alaska at least the morning that the trip starts. If you will arrive before the start of the trip, we can help you find accommodations. You should plan to leave Nome the last day of the trip or after. Nome is easy to fly to. Both Alaska Airlines and an Alaskan carrier called Frontier Airlines fly there several times a day. Alaska is partners with American and Northwest, so mileage tickets can be used as well.

There will be three trips this season.

March 24 - 31, 2010
April 3 - 10, 2010
April 10 - 17, 2010

If you are interested in a Seward Peninsula Dog Mushing Adventure, please contact us at aliyz@naturalextremes. These trips will fill quickly!

TRIP PRICE: $3500
Your spot is held with $1000 down.