Darby Dog Derby

By Ted Dunlap, on January 6th, 2018

The Bitterroot Mushers are running their 11th annual sled dog races January 13th & 14th, 2018 at Lost Trail Pass at Gibbons Pass Road.

That is mile marker ZERO. It is as close to you as whatever your nearest Highway 93 mile marker indicates. That is to say, sled dog racing has practically come to you so you don’t have to go to it.

This is the fourth time I will be spearheading radio communications throughout the course for this event. We all learn from experience, and we have had several teaching moments for the comms team in gear, setup, deployment and use.

We have also become a highly prized part of their race organization. Other partners include the Bitterroot Ridgerunners whose snowmobiles deploy our radio operators to key locations around the various race courses.

Visitors and spectators must park across the highway as the small Gibbons Pass parking lot fills up completely with dogsled teams and gear.