HUMAN

Name: Damon Ramaker
Age: 39
Residence: Fountain, Minnesota.

Occupation: I am an ER nurse.

Years involved with Iditarod: This is my first year

Iditarod Role: I’m a rookie and I am a musher.

Current Location: Nikolai, Alaska

Date of Photo: March 11, 2020
Temperature: -45F/Outdoors

What, who or how and when did you first get involved with the Iditarod?

I got involved in Iditarod after … Well, when I was about 12 years old, we went to Iditarod Headquarters and did the tour there. So that was kind of fun, and that kind of planted the seed. But then further on down the road, I met Cindy Galea, who introduced me to the Mushing World and kind of how it all works. And I mentored under her for a while, and now here we are.

What is your Why?..Why are you here today and involved in Iditarod?

So I’m here today and involved in the Iditarod because I was looking for adventure and an opportunity to experience the state of Alaska in a unique way with a bunch of my buddies as we travel across the countryside. So that’s why I’m here.

Tell me about just one of your most memorable Iditarod experiences?

One of my most memorable Iditarod experiences was probably coming over Rainy Pass. The dogs were just incredible. The wind was blowing so hard and the snow was in our face. There was times you couldn’t see, but they charged right up and over that pass. And I was so proud of them. That was good.

What do you know for sure?:

Currently, I know that I need to get a nap and get some good rest. So …