Woodsmen gather for a day of old-time competition

While birling may get the most attention, the log rolling event is one of the toughest aspects of the Forest Fest!

You've never seen so many Carhartts since the famous Fairbanks Carhartt ball went defunct. True outdoors attire was the order of the day Saturday at the 14th annual Farthest North Forest Sports Festival, but it wasn't for show.

The folks bedecked in insulated coveralls and plaid flannel shirts were on hand to compete in the traditional woodsmen's competition, held every first Saturday in October at the Fairbanks Experiment Farm and Ballaine Lake.

The gorgeous fall weather drew nearly unprecedented crowds and not only was a good time had by nearly all, but no one chopped any fingers off the entire day!

Winners were:

• Bull of the Woods: Thomas Robertson.
• Belle of the Woods: Megan Perry
• Overall Team: "Extra Tuff," Isaac Mackey, Leah Mackey, Andrew Brenner, Nina Schwinghammer
• Double Buck Men's: Pete Buist and Jamie Hollingsworth
• Double Buck, Women's: Suvi Autio and Erika Tobin
• Double Buck, Jack & Jill: Nelson Crone and Kristen Shake
• Bow Saw, Men's: Britton Kerin
• Bow Saw, Women's: Ruby Baxter
• Ax Throw, Men's: Nelson Crone and Joe Campbell
• Ax Throw, Women's: Imuya Dooley
• Log Rolling, Men's: John Hogue and Thomas Robertson
• Log Rolling, Women's: Megan Perry and Amy Tippery
• Log Rolling, Jack & Jill: Thomas Robertson and Megan Perry
• Pulp Toss: "Valley Trash & Nina:" Brendon Bruns, Mike Kelley, Isaac Mackey, Allan Spangler
• Birling, Men's: Allan Spangler
• Birling, Women's: Emily Hemenway
• Fire Building: "Timber:" Joe Campbell and Ethan Stephens

Thanks to everyone for attending and helping, said Professor David Valentine, this year's event coordinator. For the first 13 years, Associate Professor (now emeritus) John Fox was in charge of the Forest Fest but with Fox's retirement this past spring, the ax was handed over to Valentine.

Give a woman an ax...and watch her throw!

Birling is a good way to cool off on a crisp fall day. Wait a minute...

In preparation for the Forest Fest Eric Haberin (left) and Karl Holt shaved their beards and took on Mohawk hairdos.

Fire building is a tough sport. You get one piece of wood, an ax, five matches and a can of water. The first team to bring the water to a boil is the winner.

Further reading:

Crowd lets the sawdust fly at Fairbanks' lumberjack games, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Oct. 2, 2011, by Reba Lean

UAF limbers up for forest games, UAF Sun Star, Sept. 27, 2011, by Fernanda Chamorro