Camping 101 by The Lead Dog Project

Whether your goal is to run the Iditarod, explore the Arctic for weeks, or spend a few nights out with your team enjoying the wilderness, we’ve got you covered!

Join The Lead Dog Project for Camping 101, the next installment in our 2025-2026 Learning Series. We’re bringing together expert mushers who’ve spent extended time on the trail — for work, for racing, and for adventure. Hear how both recreational and competitive mushers approach overnights on the trail to keep themselves and their dogs safe and comfortable.

 

Whether you’re brand new to camping with dogs, or looking to refine your setup for long distance expeditions, this discussion will be packed with practical insights and stories of being tested on the trail.

 

 We want your questions!
There’s no such thing as a stupid question — we all started somewhere. Better to ask and be prepared than put yourself and your team in an unsafe situation. Add your questions to the comments on our October 30th post to have them considered for the pre-prepared list, or bring them to the live Q&A at the event.

 Hot drinks provided — coffee, cocoa, cider & tea
 Free & open to all

 

Meet the Confirmed Panelists:

Greg Nappi, Sluicebox Sled Dogs - "I came to Alaska in 2003 seeing adventure and thats what I found. Since moving here I have guided and instructed mountaineering (including several ascents of Denali), ice climbing, rock climbing, skiing and mushing. In 2009 I received the Citizens award from the state of Alaska for a rescue I executed on a mountaineering trip in the Chugach. My climbing days are over but the adventure continues with mushing. Got hooked on mushing during a March 2010 trip in Gates of the Arctic National Park since then I’ve been obsessed with exploring the Brooks Range. I work with dogs in the Arctic summer and winter to support my prospecting addiction which has led to numerous self supported multi week/month long expeditions in remote areas of the Arctic."

Aaron Burmeister, Alaska Wildstyle Racing - Born and raised into a mushing family in Nome, dogs have always been a part of his life. In an interview with Mushing Magazine in 2022 Aaron said, “It was the lifestyle I grew up into and fell in love with.” “Being in Nome, our heroes, the Michael Jordans in our lifestyle, came through our villages and up the coast to finish in Nome.” He has run the Iditarod 22 times with countless tales of the trail, he has seen it all. He loves sharing his knowledge and experience with those who want to get into mushing or just learn more about the sport.

Michael & Jenny Roddewig, Sage Mountain Sled Dogs - Jenny and Michael share a deep passion for wilderness travel with dogs. Jenny began mushing years ago, while Michael first explored the backcountry through skijor camping with a pulk and lightweight gear. After meeting, they combined their experience and spent several seasons in Montana leading multi-day, self-supported expeditions deep into the Rocky Mountains. Since relocating to Fairbanks in 2022, they’ve continued their backcountry explorations with trips into Denali National Park and the Arctic. Jenny has also competed in multiple dog sled races, and together they’ve experienced nearly every form of wilderness camping imaginable.