3/11/2015 Cover Photo for the Island Park Journal

Randy Gravatt taken 3-8-2015 on the flats in front of Sawtelle Peak.

A Rising Tide Sinks All Sleds, But Not an Iron Dog’s Drive

Randy Gravatt dropped by my cabin to retell his experiences in Alaska’s 2015 Iron Dog Race. His hands were still healing from the blisters he incurred during the race. Void of any solicitation of sympathy, Randy related how difficult the conditions were due to a lack of snow and warm temperatures.

From the start at Big Lake (near Wasilla), the snow wasn’t bad. Optimism prevailed, though his team drew a low starting position. Randy and Dieter Strobel made it to Rohn Roadhouse without incident. The race’s next leg was to cross the Farewell Burn, a flat area known for tree stumps that required dodging. While the stumps were clearly visible, a complete lack of snow revealed mounds of tundra grass called tussocks. As Team 22 made their way through these tall green moguls, Randy’s ski snagged a clump, forcing his sled into a tree and breaking an A arm (front suspension). After a failed attempt at a field fix, the Team 22 chopper was eventually able to fly in a replacement part. Up and rolling again, they made good time and passed 4 teams in route to the half-way-point of Nome. They stopped wherever they found snow, gathering up handfuls and applying it to cool their engines.  

Randy and Dieter were within a hundred miles of Nome as they approached the Golovnin Lagoon. Unbeknownst to the team, an alternate route around the water had been recently established but not clearly marked. Following the original course, Randy and Dieter set out on their ten mile ride across the frozen lagoon. They were not aware that an unusually high tide had come in and flooded the ice. By the time they had gotten within 3 miles of the far shore, they were skimming across 5 feet of frigid artic water. Forty mile-an-hour winds drove waves and swells towards the riders, forcing the sleds’ noses down until they swamped. Randy and Dieter held their dry bags containing clothes and supplies above their heads and began the three mile trek in chest-high artic water to land.

As dawn broke, a resident in the nearby village of Golivan spotted the team and sent out a rescue boat. After being warmed and fed by the hospitable residents, the team’s sleds were found high and almost dry as the tide receded. Towing them back to the villiage, the machines were cleaned and repaired.

The race was over for Team 22. The window had closed for their Nome arrival. Randy and Dieter rode their sleds the rest of the way to Nome. Along their route, they approached the still active competitors racing from Nome to Fairbanks. Randy was humble and proud as he recounted how each passing team slowed to fist bump the members of Team 22. Their exploits were already widely known.

Reaching Nome, the team flew to Anchorage and drove to Fairbanks. They were present when the remaining racers crossed the finish line. The night of the awards dinner, Randy and Dieter received a standing ovation from the attendees.

“What did you learn from your experience?” I asked Randy.

“First, check the tide charts before crossing a body of water. Second, beef up my sled’s cooling system if I am running in warm temperatures.” “And Randy, what did you learn about yourself?” I queried. “I am getting too old for this. I don’t heal as fast I use to.” Randy replied. “This was my last Iron Dog.”

Driving a snowmobile on ground better suited to a four-wheeler and a boat for almost a thousand miles was truly a race for an Iron Dog. Team 22 made us all proud to be their friends.

Yellowstone Country Safety * Randy Gravatt's Fundraiser Results *

Randy Gravatt’s fund raiser at the TroutHunter was a great success and he would like to thank all those who participated.

2-28-2015 Cover Photo for the Island Park Journal

Photo of Randy Gravatt

Randy Gravatt and the Iron Dog Race

Offering to visit with Randy Gravatt about the upcoming Iron Dog Snowmobile Race in Alaska is like shaking up a two liter bottle of pop. Once the lid comes off, there is no containing the enthusiasm. With the race less than a month away, Randy is in overdrive prepping for the event.

The Iron Dog is a 2130 mile snowmobile race that begins at Big Lake (Wasilla), goes to Nome and finishes in Fairbanks. The race is over very rugged, isolated conditions and is completed in seven days. The Iron Dog begins with a field of 37 to 40 two-person teams. The conditions are so tough that only half the teams finish the race. Broken machines and bones are common. Randy’s rookie race was two years ago and his team finished in 16^th. It is quite a feat for a beginner from the lower 48. He broke both his machine and several ribs but muscled through to the finish line. He was an Iron Dog!

Team 22 is composed of Randy and Dieter Strobel of Barrett, Minnesota. They are racing Artic Cat ZR 6000 that are being shipped directly from the factory to Alaska. Each sled is equipped with a GPS tracker. Team 22 will have a bush plane following them with parts and provisions.

The participants stop along the way to eat and sleep in homes or businesses. Floors and cots are a welcome reprieve from the arctic air. The time that one arrives at each stop is precisely noted and the racers leave at exactly the same time interval.

The first six place finishing teams win a cash prize. The first place prize is $50,000.

Randy has been conditioning himself by riding his sled to work at the Grizzly and Wolf Encounter Center in West Yellowstone. He is working out at the health club in West Yellowstone and at Connie’s Gym.

The expenses to participate in this race are substantial. Randy’s team will spend in excess of $35,000. Saturday January 31, a fundraiser will be held at the TroutHunter from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. There will be a spaghetti dinner, raffle and silent action.

West Yellowstone is also holding a raffle and silent action on February 7^th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Wild West Pizza.

Randy leaves on February 13^th for Anchorage, where there will be an official inspection. February 21^st there is a sled procession from Anchorage to Big Lake. February 22^nd the race begins. You can follow Team 22 on their journey by logging onto irondograce.org. The site uses their GPS transmitters to show current locations.

  

Randy wanted to thank his love and partner, Reeca Marotz for her patience and support. She hopes to see more of him when this is over!

He appreciates the support from the following sponsors:

Action Motor Sports (Idaho Falls)

Artic Cat

The Corner Cenex (West Yellowstone)

Klim (Rigby)

Lostutter, Linda and Dan

Performance Motor Sports (Ashton)

Pond’s Lodge

The Repair Shop

Rexburg Motor Sports

Starting Line Products (Idaho Falls)

Slominski, Dan

TroutHunter

Walter, Gerald

Finally, Randy wanted to say thank you to all of the remaining businesses and community members of Island Park and West Yellowstone for their support.

   

Yellowstone Country Safety *Randy Gravatt*

There is a fundraiser at the TroutHunter for Randy Gravatt on Saturday Jan. 31, 2015 at 6:00 pm. Proceeds will help Randy with expenses as he participates in the Alaskan Iron Dog Snowmobile Race. This race is a big deal and the community should be proud that one of our own is participating in such an event! See you there.