blizzard :
blizzard Noun: A snowstorm with strong winds. The sleds and their teams raced on through the blizzard.
checkpoint :
checkpoint Noun: A place along a route where people sign in The teams must stop at each checkpoint to rest and eat.
courageous :
courageous Adjective: brave, fearless Akiak was the courageous leader of her team.
experienced :
experienced Adjective: Having the knowledge to do a particular task Only experienced dogs and mushers run the Iditarod.
musher :
musher Noun: the driver of a dogsled team The musher guides the sled team through the snowy wilderness.
rugged(rug-ged) :
rugged(rug-ged) Adjective: having a rough, uneven surface Alaska has miles of rugged mountains.