HUMAN

Name: Emily Davenport
Age: 48
Residence: Anchorage, Alaska
Occupation: Land Surveyor

Years involved with Iditarod: 6 years
Iditarod Role: Comms on the Trail
Current Location: AIRLAND TRANSPORT WAREHOUSE – ANCHORAGE
Date of Photo: FEBRUARY 19, 2020
Temperature: 29 F degrees outside / 65 F inside

What, who or how and when did you first get involved with the Iditarod?:
I got involved with Iditarod in 2015. A friend of mine who had volunteered for a number of years told me I’d be good at it and that I would enjoy it. I had an opportunity to jump on the trail right away although I didn’t take it quite that year. I stayed in Anchorage but then I was in Unalakleet for two years, Koyukfor a year, Ophir, and this year I maybe heading out to Skwentna and I’ll be helping out in Anchorage for sure.

What is your Why?.. Why are you here today and involved in Iditarod?
I’m here today hauling musher bags, but also just this year in the race. I do this because many people have said it before, but it’s true. There is a community with this race and just the people are really amazing. I enjoy seeing the same people year after year. I’ve lived on Cordova Street for ages and I’ve seen the race go by for over 20 years and until I got started volunteering with the Iditarod, I had no idea how much went into this race. It’s a very fun angle to see the race from, particularly out on the trail, to see the mushers while they’re on the trail. I think is just really exciting.

Tell me about just one of your most memorable Iditarod experiences?:

One of my most memorable Iditarod experiences was standing out on the ice in Unalakleet. I think we’d had a number of teams just leave. I was kind of acting as a checker helping out in my role as comms, and one of the vets was standing there with me and she put her hands on her hips and she said, “You know, I’ve been coming for seven years and I’ve never seen the Northern Lights.” And as she said this a meteorite as bright as I’ve ever seen streaks across the sky behind her. I grabbed her shoulders and I said, “You didn’t even see the meteorite that just went by behind you, either.” I said, “You just need to look up.” It was fun, but it was beautiful. It was a beautiful night to be out on the ice, just out in remote Alaska. It’s a great way to see Alaska.

What do you know for sure?:
And what I know for sure in life is that nothing is for sure. I don’t know what came before this or after this, but I know we’re here this one time. I know that for sure. And you just might as well enjoy the ride for what it’s worth as much as you can. Yeah. I think that’s about the only thing I know for sure.