HUMAN

Name: Sally Hamm
Age: 64
Residence: Anchorage, Alaska
Occupation: Family business, retail

Years involved with Iditarod: Since 1993 
Iditarod Role: Well, I started out, just like today, carrying bags of musher food. Then I was able to go out on the trail as a … what they call now, trail position. And that’s what I’ve done since probably ’94.
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?:

My first involvement with the Iditarod as a volunteer was in 1993. I had been married in 1992 and my father-in-law told me about a meeting for volunteers. I came to the meeting, and my first volunteer work was here measuring … Oh, excuse me, weighing food, musher food. And then I also started with the restart, which at that time was in Wasilla, and actually counted. So the position they finished in Eagle River, is how they restarted in Wasilla and it all was on the same day.

What is your Why?.. Why are you here today and involved in Iditarod?
I am here today, again, because I love the Iditarod. I still am fortunate enough to go out on the trail. I’ve been to many checkpoints, but I always like to help in Anchorage. I do come to, nowadays mainly, just the musher food drop, although they now … I don’t have to hoist those 50 pound bags, I collect money and paperwork.

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

One of my best experiences with the Iditarod has been the chance to see the Northern Lights. And I think the most beautiful Northern Lights I ever saw were at the Ruby checkpoint in the middle of the night and they were dancing in many colors. It was bitter cold, but we were up all … That’s bad. Anyway, it was very nice. I’m sorry.

What do you know for sure?:
Every day is a good day and as long as we’re above ground, that’s wonderful and can’t be better.