Veteran musher Ramey Smyth to rebuild Iditarod’s collapsed Burled Arch in Nome

Iditarod musher Ramey Smyth astatine nan 2020 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race ceremonial commencement successful Anchorage Saturday, March 7, 2020. (Joey Mendolia/Alaska Public Media)

The Iditarod Trail Committee announced that seasoned musher Ramey Smyth will build nan caller Burled Arch for nan Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. The action comes aft nan erstwhile arch, a fixture of nan race’s decorativeness statement successful Nome, collapsed unexpectedly connected April 28. 

Smyth has a agelong history pinch nan Iditarod, entering nan title 27 times making love each nan measurement backmost to 1994. Smyth is besides nan proprietor of Smyth Logwork and Construction, a log location builder based successful Willow. The Smyth family has been building log homes since nan precocious 1950s, according to their website. Iditarod Race Director Mark Nordman said he believes this makes Smyth a bully fresh for nan caller arch. 

“When we first started discussing a caller build for nan Nome Arch a mates years ago, of people my first prime was Ramey Smyth. The existent arch will beryllium dearly missed by visitors and locals alike this summer, but we are truthful excited to spot what Ramey builds for nan adjacent shape of Iditarod history,” Nordman said.

The replacement built by Smyth will beryllium nan 3rd loop of nan burled wood arch. In 1974 Red Olson began crafting nan first arch that served nan Iditarod for 25 years. The original arch is preserved successful nan Nome Recreation Center. Bob Kuiper was commissioned to quickly create nan 2nd type successful 1999 erstwhile nan original arch collapsed into pieces while being moved by a forklift. The 2nd type of nan arch served from 2000 to 2024.

The Iditarod Trail’s celebrated Burled Arch rests successful pieces scattered crossed nan crushed pinch Old St. Joe’s Church successful nan background. One of nan pillars of nan arch lies connected nan ground. (Ben Townsend/KNOM)

In keeping pinch tradition, Smyth hopes to usage a cultivar of pine for nan caller arch. He shared with Mushing Magazine that nan replacement will measurement astir 1,000 pounds. Selection and building whitethorn return respective months. Smyth noted that pine beetles will complicate nan hunt process and invited spot owners to scope retired if they’re alert of patient trees connected their properties. 

Smyth has been immersed successful sled canine racing since he was young, his begetter Bud Smyth raced successful nan first-ever Iditarod backmost successful 1973. His mother Lolly Medley competed successful nan 2nd Iditarod successful 1974. As Smyth reflected connected a life of engagement pinch nan Iditarod, he said he understands nan weight specified an duty holds for nan arch that intends truthful overmuch to truthful many. 

“I was honored to beryllium contacted regarding nan rebuilding of nan Historic Iditarod Arch that is emblematic of teamwork betwixt supporters, mushers, dogs, villages, and each Alaskans,” he told Mushing Magazine. “The arch symbolizes teamwork, dreams, sacrifices, challenges connected a way of hardships, storms, sweat, and tears.”

The caller arch is expected to beryllium fresh successful clip for nan 2025 Iditarod.