Iron Dog Leadership Visits Kaltag, Tanana, and Ruby to Strengthen Community Connections

The miles between checkpoints are only part of the story. The people and communities along the trail are what keep the Iron Dog going year after year.

Over the past weekend, Iron Dog Executive Director Rick Paquette and Board Member Cindi Herman traveled to Kaltag, Tanana, and Ruby, with the help of fellow Iron Dog racers Tim and Hillarie Gossett, who flew the team into the communities and made the trip possible, to visit local volunteers, checkpoint crews, and community members involved with the Iron Dog.

From left: Hillarie Gossett, Arnold Marks, Rick Paquette, and Cindi Herman in Tanana.

From left: Hillarie Gossett, Arnold Marks, Tim Gossett, and Rick Paquette in Tanana.

Cindi Herman with Ivan Kangas in Ruby.

From left: Colby Esmailka, Cindi Herman, and Rick Paquette in Kaltag.

Historic photographs from Ivan Kangas' collection in Ruby, offering a glimpse into the community's early history.

Historic photographs from Ivan Kangas' collection in Ruby, offering a glimpse into the community's early history.

Historic photographs from Ivan Kangas' collection in Ruby, offering a glimpse into the community's early history.

Historic photographs from Ivan Kangas' collection in Ruby, offering a glimpse into the community's early history.

This visit was part of an ongoing effort to connect with communities, listen, learn, and continue building relationships across the Iron Dog trail. We value every opportunity to have meaningful conversations, exchange ideas, and strengthen the relationships that support the Iron Dog.

We look forward to continuing these visits with more communities along the trail over the coming race seasons.

During the visit, the team shared Iron Dog and Klim swag with volunteers and community members as a small thank-you for their continued support and hospitality.

A special thank-you to the Esmailka family and everyone who welcomed us in Kaltag; Arnold Marks and everyone who welcomed us in Tanana, along with a special acknowledgment to Arnold's brother, Archie Agnes, for his continued support of the Iron Dog trail; Willie and Chris in Ruby; and especially Ivan Kangas and the Kangas family for opening your home to our team during our stay in Ruby.

To everyone we had the opportunity to meet along the way, thank you for sharing your stories, perspectives, and time with us. We appreciate everything you do to support the Iron Dog.

And to everyone across the Iron Dog trail who volunteers, supports racers, hosts checkpoints, and helps keep the Iron Dog going, thank you. Whether we were able to visit your community this time or not, your commitment does not go unnoticed. We look forward to seeing more of you along the trail in the years ahead.