Mushing Terminology Quiz: Trivia!

1. What is a musher?

Someone who leads a dog sled team. The driver of a dog sled team.

The person who has to walk through very mushy, wet snow when the dogs won't pull the sledge anymore and need a human at the head of the line to get them going again.

A machine that breaks up hard, ice packed snow so that it is like mush which then can be cleared off the trails.

The member of a dance team that performs a special Inuit dance called the Mushee Step Dance.

The person who tales care of the dogs that have been dropped from the race and must pick up the mush from the dog yard. (yuck)

A musher is someone who leads a dog sled team and is responsible for driving the team. They control the direction and speed of the sled, as well as give commands to the dogs. This role requires skill and knowledge of dog sledding techniques, as well as a strong bond with the dogs. The musher plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and success of the team during races or expeditions.

Explanation

A musher is someone who leads a dog sled team and is responsible for driving the team. They control the direction and speed of the sled, as well as give commands to the dogs. This role requires skill and knowledge of dog sledding techniques, as well as a strong bond with the dogs. The musher plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and success of the team during races or expeditions.

2. What is an ice hook?

A small metal hook used for fishing through holes cut on the ice.

A small hooked piece of metal that when heated, can be threaded through snow blocks to strengthen ice shelters.

A hook used to dig into blocks of ice and carry them to the desired location.

A large ice hook used to drag behind a sled and slow the sled down.

A rare form of icicle that is curved at the end because it was formed in high wind conditions.

An ice hook is a large hook that is specifically designed to be dragged behind a sled in order to slow it down. This type of hook is commonly used in activities such as ice climbing or sledding, where it is necessary to control the speed of the sled or prevent it from sliding too quickly. By dragging the ice hook behind the sled, it creates friction with the ice or snow, which helps to slow down the sled and maintain control.

Explanation

An ice hook is a large hook that is specifically designed to be dragged behind a sled in order to slow it down. This type of hook is commonly used in activities such as ice climbing or sledding, where it is necessary to control the speed of the sled or prevent it from sliding too quickly. By dragging the ice hook behind the sled, it creates friction with the ice or snow, which helps to slow down the sled and maintain control.

3. What is a wheel dog?

A dog that is attached to a line just before the sledge runners. They are the strongest dogs, used to free up the sledge and get it started or help pull the sledge around objects.

The smartest, most respected dogs in a dog team. They are very good at keeping to the trail.

Dogs that must run next to the runners as if the runners were wheels.

Dogs that can turn the teams by their strength and ability to follow commands.

Dogs that have been hit by car wheels and are no longer able to pull the sleds.

A wheel dog is a dog that is attached to a line just before the sledge runners. They are the strongest dogs in a dog team and are used to free up the sledge and get it started or help pull the sledge around objects.

Explanation

A wheel dog is a dog that is attached to a line just before the sledge runners. They are the strongest dogs in a dog team and are used to free up the sledge and get it started or help pull the sledge around objects.

4. The mainline that the dogs and sled are attached to:

The mainline that the dogs and sled are attached to is called a gangline. The gangline is a strong and durable line that connects the dogs' harnesses to the sled, allowing them to pull the sled efficiently. It is an essential component in dog sledding, as it ensures that the dogs are properly harnessed and connected to the sled, enabling them to work together as a team and navigate through various terrains.

Explanation

The mainline that the dogs and sled are attached to is called a gangline. The gangline is a strong and durable line that connects the dogs' harnesses to the sled, allowing them to pull the sled efficiently. It is an essential component in dog sledding, as it ensures that the dogs are properly harnessed and connected to the sled, enabling them to work together as a team and navigate through various terrains.

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5. All the gear used to attach dogs to a sled.

Rigging

Pedaling

Mush

Tack

Rigging refers to all the gear used to attach dogs to a sled. It includes various equipment like harnesses, lines, and hooks that are used to connect the dogs to the sled. Rigging is essential for ensuring that the dogs are securely attached to the sled and can effectively pull it. It plays a crucial role in dog sledding, providing the necessary control and stability for the team of dogs to work together efficiently.

Explanation

Rigging refers to all the gear used to attach dogs to a sled. It includes various equipment like harnesses, lines, and hooks that are used to connect the dogs to the sled. Rigging is essential for ensuring that the dogs are securely attached to the sled and can effectively pull it. It plays a crucial role in dog sledding, providing the necessary control and stability for the team of dogs to work together efficiently.

6. A fabric bag carried on a race sled, used to put a sick or injured dog into in order to carry him to a place where he can be cared for?

A dog bag is a fabric bag that is used to carry a sick or injured dog on a race sled. It is designed to provide a safe and secure space for the dog while being transported to a place where it can receive the necessary care and treatment. The bag helps to protect the dog from further harm and allows for easy transportation without causing additional stress or discomfort to the animal.

Explanation

A dog bag is a fabric bag that is used to carry a sick or injured dog on a race sled. It is designed to provide a safe and secure space for the dog while being transported to a place where it can receive the necessary care and treatment. The bag helps to protect the dog from further harm and allows for easy transportation without causing additional stress or discomfort to the animal.

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7. The upright pieces that attach the runners to a sled.

Stanchions

Tack

Wheel Dogs

Snub Line

Stanchions are the upright pieces that attach the runners to a sled. They provide stability and support to the sled, keeping it balanced and preventing it from tipping over. Stanchions are typically made of sturdy materials such as metal or wood, and they are securely attached to the sled to ensure durability and safety during use.

Explanation

Stanchions are the upright pieces that attach the runners to a sled. They provide stability and support to the sled, keeping it balanced and preventing it from tipping over. Stanchions are typically made of sturdy materials such as metal or wood, and they are securely attached to the sled to ensure durability and safety during use.

8. The curved piece out in front of the main body of a sled, designed to stop the brush from damaging the sled.

A brushbow is a curved piece that is positioned in front of the main body of a sled. It is specifically designed to prevent the brush from damaging the sled. The brushbow acts as a protective barrier, ensuring that any contact with obstacles or rough terrain does not harm the sled itself. It serves as a shield, absorbing the impact and preventing any potential damage.

Explanation

A brushbow is a curved piece that is positioned in front of the main body of a sled. It is specifically designed to prevent the brush from damaging the sled. The brushbow acts as a protective barrier, ensuring that any contact with obstacles or rough terrain does not harm the sled itself. It serves as a shield, absorbing the impact and preventing any potential damage.

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9. The main chain with separate short chains to attach several dogs to. Maybe strung between the front and back bumpers of a truck, or between two trees.

A stakeout is a surveillance technique where law enforcement officers or investigators wait in a concealed location, often for an extended period, to observe and gather evidence on a suspect or location. The given explanation suggests that a stakeout can involve using a main chain with separate short chains to attach several dogs to. This could be done by stringing the chain between the front and back bumpers of a truck or between two trees, allowing the dogs to be secured while the officers or investigators maintain their surveillance.

Explanation

A stakeout is a surveillance technique where law enforcement officers or investigators wait in a concealed location, often for an extended period, to observe and gather evidence on a suspect or location. The given explanation suggests that a stakeout can involve using a main chain with separate short chains to attach several dogs to. This could be done by stringing the chain between the front and back bumpers of a truck or between two trees, allowing the dogs to be secured while the officers or investigators maintain their surveillance.

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10. The command to get the dog team moving.

The word "Hike!" is commonly used as a command to get a dog team moving. It is a concise and clear instruction that signals the dogs to start pulling or to increase their speed. This command is likely to be familiar to the dogs and is easily distinguishable from other commands, making it an effective way to initiate movement.

Explanation

The word "Hike!" is commonly used as a command to get a dog team moving. It is a concise and clear instruction that signals the dogs to start pulling or to increase their speed. This command is likely to be familiar to the dogs and is easily distinguishable from other commands, making it an effective way to initiate movement.

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