King probably left this back in Galena when the temps began to rise....but he fashioned a sleeping bag into a parka so during those colder than cold runs he was wrapped up in a winter sleeping bag but still able to drive his team. Pretty inventive Jeff!
We also noticed he is wearing eye protection that is a little different than your normal goggles or safety glasses.
Being one of the older competitor Mushers in the race, Jeff is dialed in to his own comfort....after all it was Jeff who designed the "old man" sit down sled that I believe nearly everyone is now using. He also was the one who introduced dog hauling in trailers....I'm glad that was outlawed.
Over the years Mushers have created innovations to assist on the trail to get the edge on their competitors. For a few years there, Buser would actually erect a sail when he hit the Yukon to take advantage of the constant wind. Jeff once had wheels he would fashion onto his sled so when he hit the snow less Farewell Burn he could roll on through. Both of these innovations were outlawed by the Trail Committee. Innovations in human comfort on the other hand is always evolving and isn't considered for outlawing since its comfort and not speed that is affected. New fangled cookers to heat water while on the move seems to be another innovation many have been trying out. From a safety standpoint that one is a little iffy....if a sled ever caught fire from an on board cooker it could be disastrous....but so far the Trail Committee has not outlawed this tactic. Jeff King again was the first to start doing that with his heated handlebar that also doubled as a hot dog cooker....and eventually a mitten burner as well. Needless to say he doesn't have that innovation anymore!
I can see in the future the Iditarod Trail Committee will have to make a ruling if hauling healthy dogs for rotation is something they want to keep allowing to happen. If they do allow for it, I would think they would set some parameters in regards to how much space a resting dog must have. I myself believe healthy dogs should be on the tug line and hauling dogs should be outlawed altogether.
If only I made the rules huh!!! Besides....its a lot of typing to say "Dog Haulin Dallas" and "Dog Haulin Dallas Daddy Mitch" on this blog....imagine if they all started hauling dogs....Id never be able to finish a post before my hands cramped up! But seriously guys....just Mush like normal would ya!!! Hats off to all the Teams this year that are doing it "old school" and still kicking butt out there!
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