Objective / General Information
The DogPaddle Adventures Trapline Run is a traditional trapline style event that pays tribute to the Dene, Inuit, Explorers, Police, Missionaries, and Traders - the pioneers who opened this land by dog team. There will be no check points, mushers must carry everything they need for the Run. There will be no dog drops, so dogs must be hearty enough to run the entire course. Mushers must take care of their dogs, so their dogs will take care of them. This is a not a race!
For the 2005/2006 season, the 2nd Annual Trapline Run will take place on March 4, 2006. The Run will be approximately 20-30 km long, with a possible weight of 200 kg being picked up over the course of the Run. Mushers may pick up as much or as little weight as they and their dogs can handle. In addition to the Run there will be 2 follow-up events, a Lead Dog Challenge and a Draft Dog Challenge. Mushers will earn points throughout the day and an overall winner will be determined.
At each "trap" of the Run, the mushers may pick up a bag weighing 10-20 kilograms, which they must carry on their sled to the end of the Run. Each of the bags will be marked with the "trap" number. The mushers may only pick up one bag from each "trap". In order for the weight to be counted, the musher must pick up and carry the bags to the finish line. It is the mushers' responsibility to ensure that their dogs, sled, and gear are sturdy enough to handle the weights and conditions of the run. Mushers are encouraged not to pick up more weight than their dogs can handle.
As with the First Nations and other pioneers, any breed of dog is allowed. Mushers are allowed to help each other, with the exceptions of that listed in the Rules. Mushers may choose to travel alone or with a companion, as in the days of old.
Categories
For the 2006 Run mushers will be judged in 5 categories. Scoring will be on a point system. Points will be given depending on how well you place in each category, the better you do, the lower your score. The musher with the lowest score in each category wins a prize and the mushers with the lowest total score will win the overall prizes.
1. Trapline Run - Mushers will be assigned a score depending on the amount of weight they bring in. Mushers who bring in all the sandbags earn 1 point, all the sandbags but one earns 2 points, all but 2 earn 3 points, etc. Mushers must finish the Trapline Run in less than 4 hours in order to place. Under this system it is possible for more than 1 musher to earn 1 point. In the event of a tie, then a quick competition (yet to be decided) will be held to determine the category prize winner.
2. Most Traditional Rig - Includes harnesses, ganglines, sled, musher's outfit, etc. Mushers may base their set-up on traditional Dene, Inuit, Explorer, Police, Missionary, Fur Trader or Trapper - those pioneers who traveled this land by dog team. Each team will be judged and assigned a score according to the authenticity of their traditional set-up, with the most historically accurate team scoring 1 point, the 2nd most accurate scoring 2 points, etc.
3. Most Innovative Rig - Includes harnesses, ganglines, sled, equipment, etc., a chance to show off your most unique mushing innovations. Each team will be rated according to the most innovative/original equipment with the most innovative/original idea scoring 1 point, the 2nd most innovative/original scoring 2 points, etc.
4. Lead Dog Challenge - Mushers take their dogs through an obstacle course designed to challenge the skill of their leaders. This will be a timed event with fault penalties.
5. Draft Dog Challenge - 10 metre (30') 2 Dog draft pull competition. This event will be scored according to the amount of weight pulled compared to the weight of the dogs pulling. Winner will decided by highest load weight/dog weight ratio, and in the event of a tie, distance pulled.
Trapline Run Rules
1. Each team must consist of a maximum of one sled, 2 mushers and 6 dogs.
2. All dogs on the team that start the run must finish the run. Dogs cannot be added, dropped
or exchanged after the start of the run. The dogs must be either hooked to the gangline or
carried in the sled, but they must be attached to their own sled during the entire run.
3. Each team must carry the required gear and all their personal gear from the start of the
run through the finish. Mushers may not carry the gear or sandbags of their competitors.
4. Receiving help from those not directly involved in this year's run is prohibited.
5. Snowmobiles will not be permitted on the trail. If anyone associated with your kennel or your
team takes a snowmobile on the trail during the Run, your team will be disqualified. In cases of
emergency, snowmobilers may request permission from Run organizers. Spectators may
observe the Run from snowmobiles but we ask that snowmobiles refrain from using the trail
during the Run.
Lead Dog Challenge Rules
1. Each team must consist of 1-6 dogs, 1 musher and 1 sled. Dogs used for this event must be the
same dogs that were used for the Trapline Run. Mushers may use their own sled or the small
sprint sled provided.
2. Mushers must follow the marked route though the obstacle course, deviations will result in a
time fault. Knocking over pylons or other course markers will result in a time fault.
3. If a musher uses a whip to guide his dogs, the whip must not contact the dogs at any time.
Draft Dog Challenge Rules
1. Each team must consist of 1 or 2 dogs from the same team that was used in the Trapline Run.
2. The opening weight is tentatively set at the approximate weight of the lightest team. Each team
will have one attempt to move the weight 10 metres. Successful teams will move on to the next
round. The same sandbags that were used in the Trapline Run will be used in this event.
Accordingly the weight in successive rounds will increase in multiples of 15kg.
3. This event will be scored according to the amount of weight pulled compared to the weight of
the dogs pulling. The winner will be decided by the team that pulls the highest load weight/dog
weight ratio, and in the event of a tie, the distance pulled will be the determining factor.
4. Time is not a factor, once the sledge is in motion it must stay in motion, if it stops for more
than 3 seconds, the pull is finished.
5. The musher may handle the team from in front or behind, but may not come into contact with
the team, sledge or assembly once the pull is started.
Disqualifications
Breaking any of the various event rules will result in disqualification. Abuse of dogs will result in disqualification. Under no circumstances is DogPaddle Adventures condoning the running of an unfit dog. If it is necessary to drop a dog then the team will be scratched from the event. Take care of your dogs so your dogs can take care of you.
Required Gear
Each team will be required to carry a compass or GPS, a map of the trail and a fire kit. The fire kit must consist of, at least, matches and tinder in a waterproof container.
Safety
Since there are no check points, personal safety is the responsibility of the mushers. It is recommended that each team carry a radio and/or cell phone. A first aid kit suitable for the mushers and their dogs is also recommended. If a team does not return to the finish line a search party will be sent.
Date
March 4 2006 - Trapline Run (20-30km). Mushers should arrive around 9:00 am.
The first team will leave around 10:00 am, with successive teams leaving at five minute intervals.
Entrance Fee
There will be a $50 entrance fee for each team.
Route
Trapline Run - Tentatively planned to begin and end on Kam Lake
Sponsors
Aboriginal Engineering Ltd. (Corporate & 1st Prize Sponsor) - Yellowknife, NT
Northern News Services Ltd. (Media Sponsor) - Yellowknife, NT
Lake Awry Cap & Crest (Participation Prize Sponsor) - Yellowknife, NT
Phone #: (867) 920-4077
Weaver & Devore (Overall 3rd Prize Sponsor) - Yellowknife, NT
Polar Parkas (Category Prize Sponsor) - Yellowknife, NT
Phone #: (867) 873-3343
Roy's Audiotronics (Category Prize Sponsor) - Yellowknife, NT
Borealis Kennels & Pet Specialities (Category Prize Sponsor) - Yellowknife, NT
Phone #: (867) 873-3688
Bayside Bed & Breakfast (Category Prize Sponsor) - Yellowknife, NT
True Value Hardware (Equipment Sponsor) - Yellowknife, NT
Canadian Tire (Equipment Sponsor) - Yellowknife, NT
We are looking for many types of sponsors, a community sponsor, prize sponsors, and a number of other sponsors.
Sponsorship Options Still Available:
Community Sponsor - provide a suitable location for the events to take place, recruit volunteers to assist with the events, and host the awards banquet.
Overall 2nd Prize - Approximate value of $750
Individual Category 1st prizes (2 remaining) - Approximate value of $200
Media Sponsors:
- Northern News Services Ltd. has already promised 3 major advertisements.
- We welcome any other media to promote the event and to come out and cover the Run.
Equipment Sponsors - We are in need of the following supplies for the Trapline Run:
> 300 sandbags (capable of holding 15kg of sand) Sponsored by True Value Hardware
> 2 spades (for filling sandbags) Sponsored by Canadian Tire
> 2 small scales (non-electronic) for weighing sand bags Sponsored by Canadian Tire
- 1 large scale (capable of holding and weighing individual dogs)
- 50 printed signs with posts (for marking the trail and ‘traps’)
- 2 large wall tents (for on-site event coordination and first aid)
- lumber to frame above tents
- 2 camp woodstoves (or some other type of heater for heating the above tents)
- 1 small sprint sled (for use in the Lead Dog Challenge)
- lots of pylons and straw bales (to mark the Lead Dog Challenge obstacle course)
> 2 stopwatches (for timing events) Sponsored by Canadian Tire
If you are interested in sponsoring this Run please contact us.
Prizes
Overall 1st Prize: $1000 Cash
Sponsored by: Aboriginal Engineering
Overall 3rd Prize: Canada Goose Parka -- Approx. value $500
Sponsored by: Weavor and Devore
Category Prize 1: 2 nights in a B&B for 2, including gourmet breakfast -- Worth $180
Sponsored by: Bayside Bed & Breakfast
Category Prize 2: $200 gift certificate for Roy's Audiotronics
Sponsored by: Roy's Audiotronics
Category Prize 3: Caribou mittens -- Worth $225
Sponsored by: Polar Parkas
Category Prize 4: $200 gift certificate for Borealis Kennels & Pet Specialities
Sponsored by: Borealis Kennels & Pet Specialities
Participation: All Mushers and Volunteers will receive a commemorative Neck Warmer.
Sponsored by: Lake Awry Cap & Crest
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