Katie Basile

Photojournalist and Documentary Storyteller

Mushing on the Kuskokwim - High Country News

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School: University of Montana

Mushing on the Kuskokwim - High Country News

Richie Diehl (also pictured on ...lt with this before.”

Richie Diehl (also pictured on the cover) on a training run near his home in Aniak. “You’re constantly dealing with adversity,” he said. “The lack of snow, the glare ice ... trying to get dog food, shipping stuff out. If dog food doesn’t show up, you just kind of shrug your shoulders. You’re always prepared for that next step because you’ve dealt with this before.”

Dog musher Richie Diehl packs h...3 at his home in Aniak, Alaska.

Dog musher Richie Diehl packs his drop bags for the Iditarod on Feb. 9, 2023 at his home in Aniak, Alaska.

John Snyder of Akiachak is cove...uary 7, 2023 in Bethel, Alaska.

John Snyder of Akiachak is covered in frost after finishing in 13th place in the Holiday Classic. January 7, 2023 in Bethel, Alaska.

Steven Alexie of Napaskiak mush..., Alaska for High Country News.

Steven Alexie of Napaskiak mushes with his team in the Holiday Classic on Jan. 7. The 50-mile race took place two weeks later than planned due to poor trail conditions and a lack of snow. January 7, 2023 near Bethel, Alaska for High Country News.

Beverly Hoffman, the longtime r...amp;rsquo;t be lost.”

Beverly Hoffman, the longtime race organizer and volunteer, near her home in Bethel. “(Dog mushing) was a key part of life here, you know, trapping and mail, before airplanes,” she said. “We’re carrying that history forward, so that it won’t be lost.”

Pete Kaiser feeds his dogs at h...d salmon.’”

Pete Kaiser feeds his dogs at his kennel in Bethel (right). “The traditional food source for sled dogs out here in any rural part of Alaska has always been salmon,” he said. But now, fish aren’t always available. “This year was a little difficult, not being able to fish for silver salmon and stuff, so people had to get creative. But some other places like the Yukon have been shut down completely for salmon, and I know mushers personally over there that are like, ‘We can’t afford to have a dog team if we can’t feed salmon.’”

Musher Pete Kaiser poses for a ...Feb. 3, 2023 in Bethel, Alaska.

Musher Pete Kaiser poses for a portrait on Feb. 3, 2023 in Bethel, Alaska.

Dog musher and Russian Orthodox...is yearlings. February 8, 2023.

Dog musher and Russian Orthodox Priest Father Alexander Larson on a training run with his yearlings. February 8, 2023.

Father Alexander Larson remembe... a different winter.”

Father Alexander Larson remembers colder winters and more consistent snow when he was growing up. “Snow would build up a lot, a lot of snow. And then I think, from 2000 or so, it kind of rapidly changed,” he said. “Elders, they used to say the weather will change. You know, the world will change. … The weather will change, and our winter will be a different winter.”

Napaskiak musher, Jackie Larson...skiak Slough. January 21, 2023.

Napaskiak musher, Jackie Larson, on a training run in Napaskiak Slough. January 21, 2023.

Lewis Pavila, father of musher ...heckpoint on January 15, 2023.

Lewis Pavila, father of musher Jason Pavila, at the Bogus Creek 150 checkpoint on January 15, 2023.

Puppies belonging to musher Mik...ak, Alaska on January 7, 2023.

Puppies belonging to musher Mike Williams, Jr. in Akiak, Alaska on January 7, 2023.

Coraline Williams plays with pu...ary 11, 2023 in Akiak, Alaska.

Coraline Williams plays with puppies in her family’s dog yard in Akiak (above). Her dad, Mike Williams Jr., comes from a long line of dog mushers. “If there’s no wind and I’m going to do a short run, I have to bring her, because if I don’t, she’ll remember it,” he said. “(She’ll say) ‘Today is warm and you didn’t go far, so how come you didn’t bring me?’ She’s been that way ever since she could talk.” January 11, 2023 in Akiak, Alaska.

Dog musher Mike Williams Jr. ta...ak, Alaska on January 7, 2023.

Dog musher Mike Williams Jr. takes his daugther Coraline on a training run near their home in Akiak, Alaska on January 7, 2023.

Dog musher Mike Williams Jr. wa...ak, Alaska on January 7, 2023.

Dog musher Mike Williams Jr. wakes up his daughter Coraline after she fell asleep in the sled during a training run near their home in Akiak, Alaska on January 7, 2023.