A November encounter with a grizzly bear decimated the German musher's dog team. It was his confidence in that team that lured him into this year's Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race. Despite the attack, Herrmann was at the Quest starting line Saturday. But he is left wondering about his mushing future. It's just so unrealistic.
Some people always look for clues, like why did it happen, what did it happen for.
Herrmann's team was the link to his trap line. The dogs helped him earn his living in a manner that he grew to cherish. Now Herrmann finds himself slipping toward the modern world. I want to do this race, and I want to think about what I'm going to do. To have the snowmachine would make life easier.