HUMAN

Name: Melissa Anderson

Age: 61

Residence: Wasilla, Alaska

Occupation: I’m a grandma

Iditarod Roles: I’ve been involved with the Iditarod for over 20 years.

Years involved with Iditarod: I’m the chief cook and bottle washer at Yentna Station, the first checkpoint.

Current Location: Yetna Station, Alaska
Date of Photo: March 6, 2022

Temperature: 32 F Outdoors 

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

I am here and involved today with the Iditarod because my entire family is here. We have children, grandchildren, and great children all volunteering for the Iditarod, and they’ve been doing it their entire life.

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

I am here today, involved with the Iditarod because they have become a close family and friends today, that I’ve known for my whole life. And they make today some of the most greatest times I’ve ever experienced and they are my reason to come out here again.

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

One of my most memorable Iditarod experiences was about 15 years ago when Jean Gabryszak and I were both working the checkpoint. I was at the head of the dogs, and she was checking in the musher. The musher lost control of his dogs. They ran right over the top of me. He pulled his snow hook and caught Jean in the zipper and was dragging her along behind with me under the team. We were headed for Nome.

What do you know for sure?

What I know for sure in life is family will get you where you need to go.