Tracks Across Alaska: A Dog Sled Journey

by Alastair Scott

Alastair Scott, the Scottish adventurer, is possessed only of chronic wanderlust and the perfectly beguiling pipe dream to dogsled his way across Alaska, following, for the most part, the Iditarod Trail. He arrives in Manley Hot Springs without dogs, sled, or experience. In amazingly short order, he outfits himself, begins to learn the rudiments of mushing, and one day lights out across the Land of the Midnight Sun. Tracks Across Alaska is the entertaining, humorous, and humble account of Scott's journey through the Alaskan bush. Scott evokes the awesome magic of the landscape and encounters an extraordinary range of Alaskans, from the Iditarod champion Susan Butcher and other dog sled racers to trappers, Eskimos, a bush priest, the faceless fire and brimstone of KJNP (King Jesus North Pole) radio, and icefisherman on Little Diomede Island three miles from the Soviet Union, and F-15 pilots ever-watchful for encroaching MiGs. Scott's narrative recreates these characters in all their many lively and distinctive qualities, recording events and dialogue with crisp journalistic skill and an eye for the timeless, the transcendental, and the telling image. His affection for the dogs adds an extra dimension to his tale. Each dog has its own remarkably unique personality, and the eight together make an unforgettable team. As Scott writes, "When dog sledding is perfect it is one of life's supreme sensations. It is the spirit and pleasure of travel in highest refinement. Man, animal, a primitive trinity, beautiful in harmony." Tracks Across Alaska is a travel book like no other-this is as close as vicarious experience comes to the real thing.

Genres: Travel, Biography

256 pages, Paperback

First published March 10, 1990

Reviews

[... · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5* In his travel across Alaska, Alastair Scott runs his dogs concurrently with the 1988 Iditarod. Which means that the race happens in the background of the story. He meets Susan Butcher, mentions Libby Riddles, Martin Buser, and a couple of other names that are well known in the mushing world. He also talks to one of the men who took part in the Serum run to Nome in the 1920s. But Scott is not racing himself. Instead, he stops at various places and talks about the Alaskan history, culture and politics.

The 'context' chapters take about half of the book. The other half is about the dogs. While I prefer more mushing in my sled dog books, the history of Alaska and its inhabitants was interesting, and often fun.

I tend to compare every Iditarod book to my all-time favourite Winterdance, which in this case wouldn't be fair, as Scott didn't run the race, but Tracks Across Alaska, while not as good, definitely has that Winterdance flavour whenever Scott describes running his dogs. I'd actually compare it to The Cruelest Miles, as both veer from mushing and into all kinds of Alaskan side stories.

[David Kessler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Immeasurably good book containing the history of Alaska. The author came to Alaska from Scotland and followed a good deal of the iditorad Trail. He stopped along the dogsled route to meet the people who were native to the area or who immigrated from somewhere else.
The history of Alaska through this author's eyes is fun readingnd

[LInda L · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of the first half was history of Alaska -- even a section on Mammoths. He finally gets to own his dogs and he and they train each other. It's hard to read in places -- killing and skinning animals is part of life there, or it was in 1990 when the book was written. Lots about the Iditarod and the animals which are endangered or extinct. Also a lot about Eskimo culture. Good information on the Diomede Islands in the middle of the Bering Strait. Little Diomede is American and Big Diomede is Russian. Sad at the end when he has to give up his dogs, but he finds good homes for them.

[Deborah aka Reading Mom · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Gather together one Scotsman, 8 dogs, 1 sled, mountains of supplies, and lots of training. Mix in equal amounts of Alaska history, Iditarod facts, conversations with local "characters". Then shake for nearly 1,000 miles and you'll have the recipe for a fantastic travel memoir! The book was first published in 1990,so some statistics have changed over the years, but what remains the same is one great adventure. I'm so pleased that I went along for the ride.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun to read about frigid Alaska in sunny June! Great to see the writer really dig in and sink into the lifestyle. Impressive work to create and bond with his dog team, learning a lot about the nuts and bolts of running a sled team and surviving, as well as the history of Alaska and its rugged people.

[Margaret · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first half of this book was very interesting because it was about the dogs and their trip across Alaska. The second half was very dry, as it lapsed into lots of discussion about politics, economics, and social policies.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this book. Wish I could do something like that one day.

[Shorewalker]

Write a review...I really liked this book, full of history delivered in a very readable format.