Help Jed get to the Iditarod 2023 starting line

The Goal: Iditarod Bound 2023

My brother—Jed—may be the biggest dreamer and doer that I know. For the past several years he has been working tirelessly toward the incredible goal of racing and completing the Last Great Race—the Iditarod. The Iditarod is a 1000-mile sled dog race across Alaska. It is so difficult that more people have climbed Everest than complete the Iditarod. So if you love supporting big dreams and being part of something truly special, please consider joining Jed's team through any size of donation.

Where the dream came from

Jed grew up in Germany as an American Army brat. In our home was a set of moose antlers our dad brought with him from Alaska. They seemed to always point to the northern country as the place Jed must go to for self-discovery. Dad read him a book about mushing by Gary Paulsen that convinced him that what those moose antlers were saying was true.

Learning the craft of dog mushing

Jed first got the opportunity to learn how to train sled dogs working with Billy Snodgrass outside of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. He then furthered his training in Alaska working as a "dog handler" for 25-time-Iditarod-finisher Linwood Fiedler.

Family and starting his team

After marrying his beautiful wife, Amy, and having twin boys they settled down in Northern Idaho. He and his family built a small cabin in the woods, bought a couple of sled dogs, and started working towards the dream of running the Iditarod.

As he and his dogs have grown together they have forged a bond of loyalty and trust through thousands of miles of travel in the mountains.

Qualifying for Iditarod

You can't just "race" the Iditarod, you have to go through the rigors of proving your mettle and skill as a dog musher by qualifying. Jed did this by becoming one of only four people to finish the Rocky Mountain Triple Crown in 2022, which includes 800 miles of racing over three and a half weeks. Jed has received the award, ‘Best Cared-For Team’ in Eagle Cap 200 and Idaho Sled Dog Challenge 300, and received the ‘Sportsmanship Award’ at the Race to the Sky 300 for catching a runaway dog team.

The journey to the Iditarod has been a pilgrimage into his soul where he has discovered the value of family, grit, loyalty and has found God.

The Cost

Iditarod is a big investment and we are looking for sponsors to help Jed. Race day is Saturday, March 4, 2023. Your donation provides each dog (and Jed) with the nutrition, medical care, and gear required for the race.

Our fundraising target: $8,000

Here's a "bare bones" estimate for a musher and team running the Iditarod:

- Iditarod Entry fee: $4,000

- Pre-race Vet Checks: $350

- Dog Booties: $1,800

- Dog Food: $3,000

- Equipment and gear: $8,000

- Handler expenses: $1,000

- Travel expenses to and from Alaska: $3,500

- Musher's food: $500

- Misc pre and post-race expenses: $1,500

Grand Total: $23,650

Join the Team

Behind every successful individual is a village of remarkable people. If you would like to support Jed please donate. You can also go to his website (jedstephensen.com) and sponsor a dog or his entire team.

Keep in touch

You can also follow the adventure via social media:

Website: jedstephensen.com

Instagram: @nordic.wayfinding

Facebook: Jed Stephensen