Was reading "Father of the Iditarod, The Joe Redington Story" and heard mention of Red Fox Olson. It appears he had larger, slower freight dogs and participated in the first Iditarod race. I remember years back, watching one of them UAF digital archives films about the first barrel of crude oil making it's way from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez via Red and his son's team. Anyhow, I really like these rough n tumble characters, these real Alaskans who cringe at the thought of an office job, taxes, running water, thermostatic controlled heat, etc. There's not many guys like Red Fox and Joe Redington left.
Joe also did some freighting as well, he wasn't all race at first. In that book, there is some pretty good pictures of some of his first village malamute dogs pulling out a crashed air-force plane, one piece at a time. I bet that made him some good money on the side.
Anyhow, Rod Perry, also one of those first-race mushers is making a documentary about these old guys called "The men of 73". I met Rod a few years back when he stopped over to get some advice about running a shallow river for caribou that I've hunted. Before some of the bone-in regs on salvaging meat, Rod shared with me some of his techniques how he would use his sled dogs as pack animals to pack out moose.
It's hard to find filmed examples of equipment and technique on hauling freight nowadays, enjoy:
"Richard "Red Fox" Olson, 82, was called home to take rest Oct. 17, 2016, after 49 years in Fairbanks. Richard was born in Warren, Minnesota, to Gordon and Emma Olson. Richard grew up always doing things and had high hopes. He knew at a very young age "he wanted to be his own person." During the Depression, at 8, he started working and learning about farming with his dad. Before he left home he joined the Selective Service in 1952, and took with him what it meant to work hard and to get by with hardly nothing. In 1957, he moved to Montana, found work in logging, then joined the Army, serving at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and Fort Lewis, Washington. He later met and always kept in his heart the inspiring woman of his life for many years, Lillian. He married her in 1958. His son, Randy, and daughter, Cindy, arrived shortly after. His adventurous life started with a haircut. He met Ralph Curtiss at a barber shop. Curtiss had a saw mill in Fairbanks and offered him work and housing. The family went north to Alaska, but not alone. His brother David and family and other relatives traveled with them and arrived during March 1967. During June, they found housing on the Nenana Highway in a house that is known today as Skinny Dicks, then moved to a dairy farm on Badger Road. Between experiencing the earthquake and the flood he worked odd jobs, including at saw mills and logging, and was a janitor at Lathrop High School. He finally moved and settled on property his brother, David, found on Steese Highway.
Because there was no home to move into he built a tepee until he got a small camper trailer before winter. He built his first sod roof log cabin, then built seven identical rental cabins. He kept busy doing what he loved to do: logging, trapping, gold mining and sled dog racing. He placed in the Gold Poke Freight Race and two North American sled dog races. He participated in the 1975 50th anniversary Commemorative Nenana-Nome Diphtheria Serum Run. He was a member of the Lions Club District 49. He loved Harley Davidson motorcycles, old locomotive trains, fishing, social gatherings, cooking and barbecues - and usually took over the grill as head chef. He was very animated and loved to entertain people. He was known for his red hair and sideburns and wanted people to know and call him either "Red" or "Red Fox Olson." It didn't take long for it to become his name. In 1973, the Iditarod Sled Dog Race got started and he wanted to be part of it. He entered the 1974 Iditarod race and drew Bib No. 24. With excitement of a new challenge and adventure he left the starting line, having no idea what he, the team and lead dog, Chief, had ahead of them. Chief got them to the McGrath checkpoint and Kobuk the Kid became the new leader. After the Iditarod, Kobuk would lead the team on a journey that never had been done before. Although Red took last place and received the Red Lantern, the experience was rewarding. But something was missing: a finish line marker. He thought of the idea, constructed and donated the original "Iditarod Burled Arch Monument" that was placed in Nome during fall 1974. He wanted to give something back to the race and to the kind and grateful people of Nome and to all mushers past and present. In 1999, after 25 years, the original Burled Arch collapsed and was replaced. The new Burled Arch reflects the same design and idea of the original Iditarod Burled Arch Monument donated by "Red Fox" Olson. Red's last sled dog adventure was Feb. 24, 1975. Red and his 14-year-old son, Randy, lead dog Kobuk the Kid and the team left Prudhoe Bay to take the first barrel of oil by dog team to Valdez and arrived April 13, 49 days later.
In addition to the barrel of oil, a mail bag containing memorabilia letters were stamped with start and finish dates of the sled dog trip and were delivered to the Valdez post office. The Lions Club raised money from the memorabilia that provided support and help to the community. Through the years he continued logging, and later, focused on gold mining. Red lived an abundant and adventurous life. He was a dreamer, a planner and a doer. He was tough and determined. His life training came from being free. He said, "My idea of school was not sitting in a classroom. Adventure, wilderness and nature teaches better life lesson and has surprising scenery." It took a unique person with drive and direction to push forward and accomplish everything he did. Being normal didn't suit him. Doing what he loved to do is the best memory he left with us, and we wouldn't have it any other way. During spring 2017, Richard "Red Fox" Olson will join his lead dog, Kobuk Kid, on Eagle Summit to continue more Alaska adventures and explore untouched wilderness. He survived by his Fairbanks family, including his son, Randy Olson; daughter, Cindy Lester (Michael); committed supportive life partner, Roela Olson; grandchildren, Staci Lester and Kyle Lester; brother, David Olson (Jeanette); and nieces and nephews, Kathy Kornack and family, Dennis Olson (Melissa) and family, Steven Olson (Linda) and family.
He is survived by out-of-state family from Warren, Minnesota, including sister, Mary Anne Laymon; niece, Jeanelle Fick (Jason), and family; nephew, David Laymon; and sister-in-law, Ester Olson, of Columbia Falls, Montana. He is preceded in death by his wife, Lillian (Ward) Olson; father, Gordon Olson; mother, Emma Olson; brother, Ronald Olson; and brother-in-law, Larry Laymon. Any contributions can be made to the Iditarod Trail Committee, 2100 S. Knik, Goose Bay Road, Wasilla, AK 99654. Family contact: Cindy Lester, P.O. Box 83804, Fairbanks, AK 99708."
