Ropes, Knots and Clips

Running the Mid Distance Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon
Day 138, January 7, 2011
Team Buzzsaw / Stewart Taylor Printing

The configuration of ropes in a mushing sled with your team of dogs is a critical element. First, your gangline, which is the main line that holds your team, should be checked often for any frays or tears. The neck lines and tug lines should also be checked and replaced if they are starting to go. When you are hooking up the team, the dogs start to bounce into their harnesses and it puts a tremendous amount of pressure on the gangline and the clips. The dogs want run NOW! A quick and efficient hookup is always the goal. The next rope that is needed is the snub line. This rope is tied to something sturdy right behind or next to the sled and is attached to the gangline. Always to the gang line and not to the sled. The sled could be broke by the power of the dogs. The snub line should be clipped to a section of the gangline that is a different spot than other connections for redundancy. The other end needs a knot that is powerful enough to hold the dogs, yet comes out easily when you are ready for your departure. Next is the snowhook which is also attached to the gangline, also in a different spot if possible. The snow hook acts as your break when you are out on your run and need to stop for a short period of time and dont want to tie off the snub line. The ropes and knots that are used in mushing are extremely important and should be perfected and double checked before running dogs. It will protect your dogs....and that is what this sport is all about.