In a historic achievement last month, a team comprised of six female British soldiers successfully became the first all female group to cross Antarctica on foot without the use of animals for assistance. Known as the Ice Maidens, these amazing women traversed 1,065 miles of dangerous, challenging landscapes, in temperatures that dropped as low as 40 degrees below zero.
For 62 days, the Ice Maidens travelled around 43 kilometres a day, using only their skis and personal strength. Instead of relying on sled dogs, they pulled their own sledges piled high with equipment. Each sled weighed about 176 pounds.
The Ice Maidens’ team leader, Major Nics Wetherill, said, “This journey has had good times, bad times and great times for all concerned, and each of them, I know, has made us better people.”
In stark comparison to the infamous Iditarod sled dog race across Alaska, this incredible feat was achieved without the needless suffering from any animal “support.” Instead, it was accomplished by a dedicated group of women using their own skills of endurance and strength.
The Iditarod is a competition in which 85 “mushers” (dog handlers) cross thousands of miles of harsh terrain in freezing conditions competing for prize money. However, in this event, it is the animals that are doing the bulk of the hard work. The dogs used in this race are specifically bred and trained to run 1000 miles dragging humans and their heavy equipment.
According to PETA, over 150 dogs have died during the Iditarod since the race first started in 1973. This number does not take into account the dogs who died following the race or during the arduous training process. The Sled Dog Action Coalition reports that causes of death during the race range from dogs being strangled in ropes, run over by sleds, liver injury, heart failure and many other cases of sudden death due to the harsh conditions. A report from the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that over 80% of the dogs who take part in the event suffer from lung damage.
As with greyhound racing, the cruelty isn’t restricted to the race – during the breeding process, hundreds of dogs that don’t meet the standards are needlessly and cruelly slaughtered.
An article published by Lady Freethinker last year discussed the documentary Sled Dogs, filmed by Fern Levitt, which exposed the horrific lives of the dogs destined for the Iditarod. Although the Iditarod is undertaken voluntarily by humans to prove their stamina and endurance, the dogs that pull the sledges have no choice but to go along for the brutal ride.
Here at Lady Freethinker we applaud the efforts of the Ice Maidens for heir amazing feat of endurance and commitment, and even more so, their decision to do it without harming other living creatures.
The Ice Maidens are exquisite examples who are putting those Iditarod mushers to shame for needing (read: torturing) dogs to complete their race … but I do hope the fur on girls’ jackets are faux … congratulations for being strong, smart, determined women!
Fantastic!
I loved reading about this group of beautiful and courageous women! Bravo for them!
Having been a guardian to my companion Charlie, a malamute/border collie mix, I know how much certain breeds of dogs crave and need a daily regimen of strenuous activity to maintain their well being both physically and psychologically as I also benefit in both ways by leading a physically fit lifestyle. However do not for one moment think that the dogs that run in the Iditarod are not pushed to and beyond their limit in order to win the race. While it is acceptable for a human to push himself beyond his limits to the possible determent of his immediate and/or long term health it is not right to put dogs into that same situation.
Some of the mushers might truly love their dogs and avoid this but as in every human endeavor there are men/women who disregard their dogs welfare either intentionally, or not, in order to win as winning, in our culture, is paramount to every other consideration, even the welfare of humans and animals alike.
An in “sports” that involve dogs in excessively strenuous and possibly life threatening activities it is unfair as this species, man’s best friend, will push themselves to exceed their limits in his/her pervasive desire to please their human benefactor without any hesitation.
Fabulous!! Love it. Thank you for using your noodle ladies!! Great exercise huh??? I’ve never believed in dogs doing that at all. Horrible abuse!! Blessings on you all
Just amazing! Well done ladies….and that’s how it’s done!
They could be wearing faux fur. Faux fur does not use real fur. Let us hope that was the case. Otherwise they need to renounce fur and stop supporting such a murderous, and greedy industry.
Good Point. Most likely faux fur.
I love these women for doing this, but I do wish they had chosen not to wear fur!
Alaska and Canada need to Ban the use and abuse of dogs for this “sport.” Take note ~ a twist to the Iditarod ~ no dogs were used or died!
Congratulations to these remarkable women! Cruelty to dogs does not have to happen. Men…take note. You’ve got a lot of catching up to do.
Amazing! How did we ever discover and explore the Artic, Antartica and North Canada without them?
Oh wait we did – did that, been there already.
Beautiful — it’s time to rescue these wonderful dogs who deserve a life of happiness, good health & comfort.
Congrats. This is wonderful!
What an awesome story! WAY TO GO LADY SOLDIERS! That’s the way to do a race. The sled dogs thank you!.
Amen to those brave female soldiers. Thanku for accomplishing this feat without harming any dogs. Bravo ????