A certain number of stops for at least the prescribed minimum length of time is required of each team. At these stops, the vet examines each dog and, if necessary, orders the dog dropped. Usually, according to Nancy, the musher asks to drop a dog before he is even asked to do so. A dropped dog cannot be replaced or picked up again further up the trail. The only electronic aid that can be carried is a homing device similar to that carried on boats or by downed pilots.
Most mushers carry booties, leggings and polar fleece jackets for the team.
The Malamutes disdained these and the straw to sleep on at the checkpoints. They preferred the snow. All dropped dogs are flown back to Anchorage to be cared for on the prison grounds until retrieved. Nancy tells how the dogs love to race like hunting dogs love to hunt or herding dogs love to herd. The dogs left behind, no matter how tired or how hurt, are always frantic to go with any team.