HUMAN

Name: Keith Forsgren

Age: 71

Residence: Wasilla, Alaska
Occupation: Retired airline pilot.

Years involved with Iditarod: Over 40 years.
Iditarod Role: Trail break and with operating a checkpoint 

Current Location: Ophir, Alaska

Date of Photo: March 12, 2020
Temperature: 0F/Outdoors

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

I got involved with the Iditarod because my father and mother were trying to operate a checkpoint at Ophir. And my father had volunteered to do trail breaking, and he was assisting put the trail in from McGrath to either Iditarod or Cripple. And I came out with my airplane to fly support for the snow machines, putting the trail in.

What is your Why?..Why are you here today and involved in Iditarod?

I’m here today and involved with the Iditarod because this cabin, that now belongs to my son, is the family and it’s been a family tradition to do the checkpoint. And we’ve enjoyed doing the checkpoint for all these years. And we haven’t missed any Iditarods except for the three that started in Fairbanks, and they didn’t come through Ophir.

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

One of my most of memorial Iditarod experiences was in the 2002 race. Martin Buser was the first racer to arrive in Ophir. He was the only one that was here. And it was a starlit, clear night. And I came out of the cabin at eight- or nine o’clock at night. It was dark and cold, and Martin Buser was singing God Bless America to his team. And it was just tear-jerking, the way his talent and his patriotism was just totally amazing to me.

What do you know for sure?:

What do I know for sure in life? I’m positive that this country offers opportunities to anybody that wants to take advantage of them. And there’s so many different things that you can be or do, you just have to have faith in yourself and decide to go do it.