Chris Gibbs Photography

Chris Gibbs Photography Photographer Chris Gibbs
www.cgibbsphoto.com

The right tool from the toolbox today. Lake tour on the fatbike was a good choice. Melting is part of the process, it’s ...
03/04/2026

The right tool from the toolbox today. Lake tour on the fatbike was a good choice. Melting is part of the process, it’s been happening for millions of years.

So because I know Amazing people I got to hang around Ely this past weekend and watch the Wolf Track Classic sled dog ra...
02/23/2026

So because I know Amazing people I got to hang around Ely this past weekend and watch the Wolf Track Classic sled dog race. I did capture some photos too.
Caiya Gibbs
Jennifer Freking
Blake Freking
Manitou Crossing Kennels
Wintergreen Northern Wear
Carrie Moline Gibbs

Mineral Center checkpoint, the adventure ends here for the right reasons.Mineral Center is another extremely remote chec...
02/20/2026

Mineral Center checkpoint, the adventure ends here for the right reasons.
Mineral Center is another extremely remote checkpoint. We leave behind ground blizzards and exposure for a seclusion, sun and a historic log cabin.
This was a small logging town established around 1910 and was eventually abandoned around 1940.
Teams still on the trail were treated with sun, a warm cabin, and some rest.
This would be our finish as the hard decision to end here was made when a couple dogs were experiencing tendon issues. Only 35 miles from the Grand Portage finish, a push to the end could have been made, but dogs come first and the decision was well respected amongst the teams.

Feel your way on the trail. I always say bad weather makes for good photos. Skyport check point did not disappoint with ...
02/19/2026

Feel your way on the trail.
I always say bad weather makes for good photos. Skyport check point did not disappoint with strong winds and Devils Track Lake was a ground blizzard at times. Blake was off to Mineral Center, the last checkpoint, but first had to find his way onto the trail.

Batten down the hatches.We’re back to running at night as Blake leaves Trail Center Lodge for an out and back to the Can...
02/13/2026

Batten down the hatches.
We’re back to running at night as Blake leaves Trail Center Lodge for an out and back to the Canadian border and then to Skyport Lodge & Raven Rock Grill checkpoint. This is an old airport located on Devils Track Lake and our parking area is the decommissioned runways. Notoriously known for being windy and exposed, we arrive around midnight and Skyport did not disappoint.

Divide and Conquer.Blake is back on the trail sometime around 3am from Finland heading to the Sawbill checkpoint. This i...
02/12/2026

Divide and Conquer.
Blake is back on the trail sometime around 3am from Finland heading to the Sawbill checkpoint. This is a mushers only checkpoint where they feed and bed the dogs down on their own completely out in the elements. Nicole and Caiya head back to Manitou Crossing Kennels to get some sleep and do chores while Jennifer and Alice stay on task with Elena who’s on her way to the Trestle Inn for her finish. I take off and drive the truck and trailer to the Trail Center Lodge checkpoint to get a good spot and maybe some sleep. Driving Hwy 61 and the Gunflint Trail at 4am is a very solitary journey with no one on the roads, just darkness. Jennifer gives me a fair warning before I leave “watch for moose up the Gunflint”

Night moves.The Finland checkpoint is almost in the backyard of Manitou Crossing Kennels, so this is home away from home...
02/11/2026

Night moves.
The Finland checkpoint is almost in the backyard of Manitou Crossing Kennels, so this is home away from home for them. We are running through the night now so sleep becomes a factor but the accommodations and the beauty of the night make it hard to think about resting. So we work through the night preparing for the team’s arrival and taking breaks in the community center to drink coffee and warm up. Next up the Trail Center Lodge check point.

Fire brings people together.Checkpoint two, just outside of Two Harbors greets fans, handlers and mushers with a large ...
02/10/2026

Fire brings people together.
Checkpoint two, just outside of Two Harbors greets fans, handlers and mushers with a large fire. A decommissioned gravel pit, this is Blake’s first checkpoint, Elena’s midway checkpoint, and Nicole’s finish. This is the busiest checkpoint on the route given its proximity to Duluth.
John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon
Manitou Crossing Kennels

Ready, set, go…The 41st running of the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon starts from Billy's Bar & Grill just outside of...
02/05/2026

Ready, set, go…The 41st running of the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon starts from Billy's Bar & Grill just outside of Duluth. This is obviously the busiest and most social part of the race. Teams prep for the start while the general public ask questions and mingle with the mushers and handlers. I’m embedded in the Manitou Crossing Kennels team. A veteran team unique to the mushing community as it runs primarily Siberian huskies and consists of an entire family of mushers, Husband and wife , Blake and Jennifer with their two daughters Elena (15) and Nicole (13). Blake would be running the marathon, Elena is running the half, and Nicole is running the 40. Jennifer is heading up the elite handling staff which she calls ‘a complex amoeba of gear and supplies.’

Thank you for following along as I try to give some insight into one of the most iconic and tough events in Minnesota. T...
02/03/2026

Thank you for following along as I try to give some insight into one of the most iconic and tough events in Minnesota. The 41st running of John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon was a memorable one in so many ways. Now it’s time to see the results of my experience through the lens and the stories told. A huge thanks to Manitou Crossing Kennels for allowing me to be a part of their team.

02/03/2026

The Beargrease has an excellent reputation for making sure the athletes(dogs) are well taken care of. They are examined thoroughly at every checkpoint by seasoned veterinarians and no chances are taken when it comes to a dog’s health. This would be the finish line for Blake and his team. A few dogs were showing signs of slight tendon injuries and the call was made it was not worth risking further injury to make the run into Grand Portage. After 17 Beargrease marathons, this was only Blake’s second scratch. To show their respect and admiration for his decision, the Beargrease presented him with his race bib in the end.

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