When you’re trying to prepare for the most difficult sled dog race in the world, there never seems to be enough hours in the day.

Since announcing his plan to enter the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in August, Jackson resident Dan Carter has put the rest of his life on hold to work on the logistics required to run a team of dogs more than 1,100 miles through the Alaskan wilderness in March. Carter, 35, has recently been researching dog food and nutritional supplements for his team and will soon shift his focus on feeding, caring for and training his dogs.

“Since I’m paying for most of this race, that makes me more of a manager,” Carter said. “I think it’s good to be directly involved in all aspects of what it takes to run the Iditarod.”

On Dec. 2, Carter traveled to Alaska to attend a special meeting for the 40 rookie mushers currently registered for the race. The symposium included presentations from the chief veterinarian on dog care and preventing injuries to the team, while current champion Jeff King lectured the mushers on what they’ll need for the race and how to save money on equipment. On Dec. 3, Carter paid a visit to the kennel of four-time Iditarod champion Martin Boozer, who emphasized how to simplify the massive equipment list mushers face.

“The overall theme was not to take a bunch of stuff that you won’t need or use during the race,” Carter said.

After attending last year’s Iditarod as a volunteer, Carter expects his first time as a racer to be a learning experience. He plans to use the knowledge he accumulates on the course this year to help him be even more competitive when he returns for the 2008 race. Frank Teasley, who hired Carter as a sled dog guide in 1996, was the last Jackson resident to finish the Iditarod in 1999.

“My goal is to come across the finish line with a good-looking group of dogs,” Carter said. “I want people to know I can take care of my team, make good decisions and walk away with a lot of pride.”

In December and January, Carter plans on making a series of multi-day camping trips in the Upper Green River area near Cora for training, before traveling to various races around the country with his team.

“With all the things I have to do, I absolutely have to get miles on the dogs,” he said.

Carter is also hoping to get valley restaurants to assist his efforts by preparing pre-made meals that he can place in vacuum-sealed bags, which will then be heated when he prepares food for his dog team during the race.

“I had people reiterate to me that a good-tasting meal is a real pick-me-up and something to look forward to out on the course,” Carter said.

With direct race-related expenses approaching $15,000, Carter continues to actively seek out business and individual sponsors to join current sponsors Bank of Jackson Hole, Barker-Ewing River Trips, Paul’s Auto and Diesel, Town Square Inns, Ace Hardware and Snake River Brewery & Restaurant.

Details of different sponsorship options and Carter’s monthly newsletter are available on his Web site, www.dancarteriditarod.com.