HUMAN

Name: Bill Scooter Bass
Age: 77
Residence: Anchorage, Alaska
Occupation: Food Broker
Years involved with Iditarod: 40
Iditarod Role: Musher
Current Location: Musher Banquet at Dena’ina Center, Anchorage, Alaska

Date of Photo: FEBRUARY 27, 2025
Temperature: 68F inside

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

I got involved with the Iditarod in 1981. We sponsored Rick Mackey with Pedigree Kal Can Foods when he lived up at Petersville Road, and just became a long relationship. And then Rick says, “You need to do this.”
Well, I started my first race when I was 44. I wish I’d had done it when I was 32. But sponsoring the Mackeys was a great support package. And we love those people dearly, and we’re sponsoring Brenda Mackey this year.

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

I got involved with the Iditarod because I was a guide hunter and fisherman, and I love to explore Alaska. And I went to see Susan Butcher to start and I thought, “You know what? I think I can do this.” And now I won’t even go downhill skiing because dog mushing is the only way to travel across Alaska.

Tell me about your most memorable Iditarod experiences?:

One of my most memorable experiences in my 1992 Iditarod venture was coming out of Topkok Hills and getting stuck in a blowhole and having to pull over my dog team and sleep with five dogs on top of me. Temperatures were 55 below. And my whole story went on U.S.A. Today. But we survived and managed to get to Nome the next day. But I spent 18 hours with five dogs on top of me. And what an experience that was.

What do you know for sure?:

What I know for sure in life is that I can fly airplanes, Beavers, Super Cubs, 206s, 185s. And I’m a Christian and I love the Lord.