Expedition will trace Cork woman’s courage

MY husband and I live in rural Alaska. We have a kennel of sled dogs and in the winter do a variety of things, including racing, running tours and undertaking expeditions.

This winter I will be undertaking a 350-mile historical dogsledding expedition — and this is where I am hoping Irish Examiner readers may be able to help me.

I’ve been reading about Nellie Cashman, who was born in Co Cork in 1845. She was an adventurer, philanthropist and a woman of courage. When she was in her late 50s and 60s she would regularly mush a team of dogs 350 miles from mining camps north of the Arctic Circle to Nenana, Alaska, to get supplies.

At the age of 79 she ran a team of dogs 750 miles from Koyukuk, Alaska, to Seward, Alaska.

My forthcoming expedition will retrace Nellie’s journey from Nenana to Nolan (a creek where she had many mining claims).

It will be as authentic as possible.

I will be building a traditional sled and staying as true to Nellie’s travelling experiences as possible. I’ll be keeping a journal and video diary of the adventure, beginning with the research right through to the trip itself.

What I’m seeking at this stage is information about Nellie. I’m hoping there might be some history buffs out there who know her story and may have information I can’t get here in Alaska. Perhaps there are even some of Nellie’s family who could shed light on the character of this remarkable woman.

Peg Harpham

3325 Chena Hot Springs Rd

Fairbanks

Alaska

USA 99712

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