HUMAN

Name: Rick Ellingson

Age: 68

Residence: Gig Harbor, Washington

Occupation: Soon to be retired.

Iditarod Roles: I used to be the water guy. I did the engineering on that water heater out there and put that all together. I’m going to handle the food line. But I prefer to think of myself as the illegitimate stepchild of DeeDee Jonrowe.

Current Location: Skwentna, Alaska
Date of Photo: March 6, 2022

Temperature: 30 F Outdoors 

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

I first got involved with the Iditarod when a good friend, Todd Silver, invited me to come a couple of years in a row. I turned him down because I was too busy. On the third year, he said, “If you don’t go this year, you’ll never be invited back again.” So I came up thinking it’d be one and done, and have come ever since.

What is your Why? Why are you here TODAY and involved with the Iditarod?

I’m here today involved as part of the river crew, helping set up the checkpoint and getting the dog food out and the water on. I come back primarily because I love the scenery. The people are extraordinary up here. The mushers are incredible and I love the animals, the dogs.

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

One of my most memorable experiences is when I brought my entire family, so my wife and three kids got to come. So we had a family moment up here all together. It was just extraordinary. And the Northern Lights were out and they danced from… I mean, as far as you could see, the Northern Lights, and to experience it with my kids was just extraordinary.

What do you know for sure?

What I know for sure in life is that I’m not going to live here forever and I’ve got to take advantage of these opportunities as long as I can. I’ve been to all seven continents. Everywhere I go, I meet and greet and enjoy my time with the people. The people in Alaska are just extraordinary. I just love it up here.