HUMAN

Name: David Wartinbee

Age: 77

Residence:  Soldotna, Alaska

Occupation: Attorney/University Professor

Years involved with Iditarod: 9

Iditarod Roles: Volunteer/Trail Crew

Current Location: Galena, Alaska

Date of Photo: March 11, 2022

Temperature: 15F Outdoors

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

When I first came to Alaska in 1997, I knew that I wanted to get involved in some way with dog mushing. I wasn’t necessarily wanting to be a musher, but I wanted to be involved in it, because I just loved seeing dogs mushing and the whole idea of it. So I worked on the Tustumena 200 in the Kenai Peninsula, and actually became very heavily involved, became a board member, and wanted, of course, to work on the Iditarod too. I got to know a lot of Iditarod mushers. And what happened, of course, was that, because of my teaching duties, I couldn’t work on the Iditarod. Then I found I could work the restart. And when I finally retired seven years ago, then I could start going out on the trail. So that’s how I got started. I’ve wanted to do this ever since I can remember. In my home, I have one of my cherished paintings is a Fred Machetanz painting of dogs mushing. So, this is a long-term love affair.

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

Once again, I like being in anything to do with the sled dog racing, just because I love to see the dogs. I like petting dogs. We all do. But the thing that always comes out is that I meet so many wonderful people when I do this. Every time I go to a little village, I meet somebody that just sparkles, something that is very memorable. And so, that’s what I found when I came to Alaska back 40-some years ago. I fell in love with Alaska, because of the people. Yeah, it’s grandiose, it’s beautiful, and it’s just everything special. But it was the people. And so that’s really what brings me back, is the people. 

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

Once again, I like being in anything to do with the sled dog racing, just because I love to see the dogs. I like petting dogs. We all do. But the thing that always comes out is that I meet so many wonderful people when I do this. Every time I go to a little village, I meet somebody that just sparkles, something that is very memorable. And so, that’s what I found when I came to Alaska back 40-some years ago. I fell in love with Alaska, because of the people. Yeah, it’s grandiose, it’s beautiful, and it’s just everything special. But it was the people. And so that’s really what brings me back, is the people.

What in life do you know for sure?

Go have fun.