Burled Arch Update

Back in April, the burled arch, the iconic sign marking the finish line of the Iditarod, collapsed. Veteran musher Ramey Smyth decided on using white spruce after months of selection and construction. The 5,000 pound log was found near Seward, the site of the Iditarod Trail’s historic start line. The plan for carving the arch will start with stripping the log of bark, sanding, and then polishing. The arch will be flown from Smyth’s shop in Willow to Nome. This project will take another number of months. However, it’s expected to be completed and ready in time for next year’s Iditarod.