"Unusually Warm Weather Causes Problems at Iditarod"

"Mushers at the Iditarod, the annual nearly 1,000-mile sled-dog race across Alaska, are complaining that the unusually warm weather is causing dangerous conditions along the course.

“It’s the roughest I’ve ever seen,” said Jeff King, who has finished the race 22 times, to Think Progress.

With several crashes, busted knees, sprained ankles and damaged equipment, several of the 69 mushers that started are already out of the race.

Know as “the Last Great Race,” the Iditarod begins in Anchorage on the first Saturday of March and ends when the first racer arrives in Nome, on the Bering Sea coast, nine to 12 days after starting. The 2014 Iditarod officially began last Saturday in Anchorage with a ceremonial start, and kicked off in earnest on Sunday afternoon from Willow."

Laura Sesana reports for Arbiter News March 6, 2014.

SEE ALSO:

"With Leaders Into Ruby, Iditarod 2014 Is Still Anyone's Race" (Alaska Dispatch)

"Mush! The Best Photos From the 2014 Alaskan Iditarod" (Baltimore Sun)

"Iditarod 2014, Standings And Results: Jeff King Leads, Martin Buser Closing In" (SB Nation)

"Iditarod: 5 Things To Know About Trail Conditions" (AP)

Live Current Conditions on Iditarod Trail (Weather Underground)

"'Mushing Mortician' Flirts With Death, Survives Harrowing Ordeal" (Fox Sports)

"Injured Iditarod Musher Flown To Anchorage Hospital After Harrowing Ordeal" (AP)

"Mushing Family a Strong Presence in Iditarod" (AP)

"Something's Missing: Alaska’s famous Iditarod race has precious little snow this year." (Slate)

"Warm Winter Turns Iditarod Trail Into ‘Minefield’ With ‘No Snow’" (Climate Progress)

"Warm Weather Forces Changes Ahead of Iditarod Race" (New York Times)