Iditarod prep in motion: inside the straw drop

Volunteers gathered at Air Land Transport in Anchorage are hard at work for the annual Iditarod straw drop, a key behind-the-scenes operation that helps prepare the trail for race day. The straw ensures sled dogs have fresh, dry bedding waiting at every checkpoint along the nearly 1,000-mile journey from Anchorage to Nome.

“The straw, of course, is used for bedding for the dogs when they arrive at the checkpoint or if the musher takes it out along the trail,” said Jennifer Ambrose, volunteer coordinator.

Nearly 900 bales of straw — each weighing about 42 pounds — are being packed, labeled and prepared for shipment along the Iditarod Trail. Volunteers place every bale into a plastic bag, secure it with a zip tie, and attach the required shipping labels before the bundles are flown out to checkpoints across Alaska.

“We are just getting every single bale put into a plastic bag, which we tie up with a zip tie, put the necessary postage or shipping requirements on it, and then it gets flown out to all those checkpoints,” Ambrose explained.

For many volunteers, the straw drop is more than just manual labor — it’s a chance to be part of an iconic Alaska tradition.

First-time volunteers, including missionary students with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said they were excited to lend a hand.

“It was my first time being able to help out with being able to experience it,” said Colby Wilcox from Idaho. “I’m just here serving as a missionary, and it’s been wonderful. It’s so much fun working for the Iditarod, so I’m honored.”

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