For 12 years, Erin Altemus and her husband have been actively involved in the thrilling sport of dog racing. Their journey began at YMCA Camp Menogyn, where they honed their skills in running dogs. As time passed, they took a significant step forward by acquiring their own team of dogs. It was through a mushing friend’s invitation to a race that they were introduced to the world of breeding dogs and competitive racing.
Presently, their kennel, nestled near Grand Marais, MN, is home to an impressive pack of 35 dogs. While she works as a nurse at the local hospital, their shared passion for dog racing continues to fuel their determination. Among the notable races on their calendar are the Beargrease, UP200, Can-Am, and Gunflint Mail Run. Yet, there has always been a lingering dream for both of them: to participate in the renowned Iditarod race.
However, after the birth of their daughter Sylvia, who is now six years old, this dream had to be temporarily set aside. They needed the right combination of a capable team and favourable circumstances to embark on the ultimate adventure of traversing Alaska behind a team of extraordinary sled dogs. And now, finally, they find themselves in that very position, eagerly anticipating the opportunity to make their mark on the challenging and awe-inspiring trails of the Iditarod.
What is your full name?
Erin Charis Altemus
Do you have a kennel name?
Sawtooth Racing My husband Matt Schmidt and I both take turns racing and working with the dogs.
How old are you?
44 years old, 45 in September
Where were you brought up?
I grew up in Glenwood City Wisconsin, on a small dairy farm.
Where do you live now?
I live now near Grand Marais, Minnesota.
How many sled dogs do you own?
We have 35 dogs.
How long have you owned sled dogs?
We acquired our first dogs in 2010 and began racing a few years later.
What races have you competed in?
We have raced in the Can-Am, the UP200 and Midnight Run, the Beargrease Marathon and mid-distance, the Apostle Islands Sled Dog Race, the IronLine, Copper Dog, Wolf Track, and Gunflint Mail Run.
What’s your greatest achievement so far?
The first time I ran the Beargrease Marathon was pretty special. Fourth place and Rookie of the Year. Sometimes just finishing a race is an accomplishment.
Has it always been a dream to run the Iditarod?
I’m not sure I would say it has always been my dream to run the Iditarod. After the first Beargrease Marathon, I thought about it. I thought maybe we’d work up to it. But it always seemed so big and so expensive, I didn’t see how it would be possible, so we concentrated on doing well in the races nearby. Then we had a child and I would say Iditarod dropped off the radar.
What made you decide that 2024 would be the year to sign up for the race?
After my friend Anna Hennessy went to Alaska and did her qualifiers and said she was going to run, I decided maybe we should give it a go. Running the race with a friend feels not quite so big. Also, I feel we have dogs now that can do the race. I want to run it before they get any older.
What can you tell me about your team?
Over the past 13 years, we have built up a team that we feel can run Iditarod. Almost all the dogs were born and raised with us. Every year that we finish Beargrease, it has been almost entirely with dogs we have raised. There is a special connection to the dogs that are born with us. There will be a core part of the team that is six years old, born the same year as our daughter Sylvia. There will be some two, three and four-year olds as well.
Do you have sponsors?
Sponsors are welcome! We are working on getting sponsors. Former musher Ed and his wife Julie Dallas have been very helpful to us. As well as some other individuals and our families. This list will grow soon.
Do you have your own merch?
Sawtooth Racing merchandise is coming.
Do you look up to a specific musher?
Our friend Odin Jorgenson has been a long time mentor of ours. He grew up running dogs with his father Arleigh and now has a kennel nearby. The amount of great advice he has provided us over the years should be in a book. Also, friend and neighbour Tim White lives nearby and comes by to provide commentary quite often.
Have you handled for a Veteran musher in the past?
I handled for my friends Betsy and Odin Jorgenson at the White Oak. That’s what turned us on to racing. It’s the only handling I have done.
Have you won any awards during a race?
We have won the “best cared for team” at UP and Beargrease. I won the sportsmanship award at Beargrease in 2022 for helping Colleen Wallin get her team off of Poplar Lake.
How are you preparing for your first Iditarod?
Things we are thinking about to prepare for Iditarod include, more camping, running down large lakes and following trail markers, getting to Alaska early to get acclimated, building a new sled.
What do you think you can expect from Iditarod?
I expect great scenery, in particular I’m looking forward to the Alaska Range. I look forward to seeing what the dogs can accomplish. There may be some scary experiences, hopefully not much more than any other race, though, the gorge, the Yukon, and the coast will surely not disappoint. I am nervous about a lot of it, most especially if I am behind a full team of 16 dogs.
Do you have any friends who are also dog mushers?
We live in a large community of mushers and in our years of racing we have made many friends in the mushing community. I look forward to making a few more in Alaska.
What’s your favourite pastime?
In the summer I enjoy canoe/camping trips with my husband and daughter, trail running and gardening. In the winter I just train dogs. I also take a ballet class once a week. I have a long list of hobbies I love that I don’t have time for including, playing guitar and piano, making art, reading, and writing.
What’s your favourite food
Probably ice cream
What’s your favourite Drink
Beer
What’s your favourite Music
Folk/Bluegrass
What’s your favourite Film
Goonies
What’s your favourite Book
I do love Gary Paulsen’s book Winterdance
What’s your favourite City
I prefer wilderness areas
Do you have a Lucky Charm?
I try not to have anything too lucky, because I lose things and I don’t want to turn my luck.
Thank you Erin for taking time to answer our questions in the Meet the Rookie series.
We wish her the best of luck in the 2024 Iditarod.
You can follow her race on the Iditarod website.
