B A L T O

"Dedicated to the indomitable spirit of the sled dogs that relayed anti toxin 600 miles over treacherous waters, through arctic blizzards, from Nenana to the relief of stricken Nome in the winter of 1925 - Endurance, Fidelity, Intelligence".

This song is from the movie Balto (1995). It is a beautiful, inspiring song, listen to it. It gives me chills every time. Reminds me of when I used to watch it with my dad and sisters.

Reach for the Light by Steve Winwood (click this link) 

Balto (1995), the animated movie, is based on an incredible true story about a dog hero and his team, who raced through 600 miles of frozen lands and treacherous blizzards to save the children from diphtheria in Nome, Alaska.

 There is another movie called "Balto's Race to Nome" (1925) it is a very very old movie where the real Balto and his team star in. The animated movie Balto (1995) and the true story are told differently, but this is the true story of Balto and his team racing to Nome, Alaska. I wish there was a more accurate and clear telling of the story but from a dense amount of research I got this understanding of Balto and his team's amazing story. I try to retell it as much accurately as possible. Read below.

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On January 20, 1925 an epidemic called diphtheria swept the little village of Nome, Alaska. The only serum to combat against the virus was found in Anchorage, Alaska, 1000 miles away. Transportation methods where nearly impossible because of the dangerous blizzards at that time.  A train was able to transport the antidote a couple of miles until it could no longer go any father. The only way that the antidote could be transported through the rest of the 647 miles left between Nenana and Nome, was by a relay of sled dogs.

Balto, a Siberian husky, led the sled dog team owned by Gunnar Kassen. After several relay mushers it was Gunnar Kassen turn to run the rest of the trail to Nome. When they reach the outskirts of Nenana "a blinding blizzard began dropping temperatures to -50 degrees and generating wind gusts in excess of 5o mph. Kassen found himself unable to navigate, and almost gave up all hope of making it to Nome in time. But Balto knew the trail well, and, following his instincts, led the team through the cold and snow. Over the next 20 hours, Balto slowly led his sled dog team over the 53 miles. On February 2 at 5:30 AM, the team finally arrived in Nome. The dogs were too tired to even bark, but the serum had successfully been delivered -- only seven days after leaving Anchorage, and just 127 1/2 hours after leaving Nenana" (Balto).

Balto became a star, he was the hero of

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I believe as much as the hero Balto is for leading his team and saving the children of Nome, his team of sled dogs were also part of perilous journey and so therefore deserve such honor and respect. Here are some pictures of Balto's team. Some the names of the huskies have been lost by history, and the few that are known are Togo, Fritz, Balto, Scotty and Fox. (click on pics to expand them)

Togo and members of Seppala's serum run team posing for a photograph some days after the run.

Balto's team on Front Street in Nome the day of their arrival (February 2nd, 1925)

Gunnar Kaasen, musher of Balto's team, along with nine of the thirteen members of the team.

Here is a map I got from Wikipedia.
It shows the distances that relay dogs traveled through to get the serum.

(click to expand)

Sources:

Balto, The Story of Balto, http://www.sibrescue.com/balto.html (read more about Balto and his team)

Pictures of the team found in animation source forums

More pics balto and his team