HUMAN

Name: Chet Harris

Age: 53

Residence:  Anchorage, Alaska

Occupation:  Pilot

Years involved with Iditarod: As a pilot for five years and five and a half maybe because I did a part of a year, but I’ve been involved with the Iditarod for a long time, just as a spectator and fan.

Iditarod Roles: Temp Pilot

Current Location: McGrath, Alaska

Date of Photo: March 9, 2022

Temperature: 34F Outdoors & Snowing

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

I first became involved with the Iditarod Air Force pilot because I followed the pilots around flying my own airplane unsupported. And I was in Galena, my wife and I were going to camp next door airplane in Mounty Marbury, said, “I can help find you some lodging”. And he helped find us a place to stay. And then we camped a little bit and we ended up in Unalakleet and Ed Cornfield walked over. He’s the current chief pilot. And he said, “You know, you do this totally unsupported. You’re obviously dedicated. Maybe you should join us”. And he invited me to become a part of the Iditarod Air Force.

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

I am here today and involved with the Iditarod because even as a child, I just loved the idea of this event that takes people, dogs, through the remotes sections of Alaska, just a grand wilderness adventure, and that people have the courage and willingness to do it. And that to be a part of it. And even as an accessory to the fact is just a wonderful experience. I like that.

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

One of my most memorable Iditarod experiences was before I became involved with the Iditarod Air Force following the race with my wife and a very good friend of mine, Matt Conchland and his daughter Meg. And she was interested in mushing, loved the Iditarod that they flew up from Idaho and we flew the trail together in two planes. And we camped on the Yukon outside of Galena between Galena and Kaltag. And it was a windys corner. We didn’t maybe pick our spot very well, but the mushers would come by and they would be a little shocked when we were there. And we’d step out of this tent, we were staying in, it’s about 30 below and Jeff King was mushing by and he’s like, “I cannot believe you’re here. I don’t know how wise this is”. It was just a nice event, but the mushers really appreciated us being out there, cheering them on.

What in life do you know for sure?

What I know for sure in life is that life is made of precious…made up of precious moments with friends and family and people that you love. And you should cherish those moments because there aren’t as many of them as there could be.