DCHP-1 Online
track-beater North 
n. a man on snowshoes who runs ahead of a dog team making a passable track in new or deep snow.
See also: forerunner
- 1908 He was a wonderful little animal; he never seemed tired or weary; he was always ready and willing to follow the track beater, or the sled ahead of him; for three-fourths of the entire journey he acted as foregoer or leader of his own team.
- 1921 . . . the Indian track-beater [was] hurrying far ahead while the half-breed dog-driver loped behind the sled.
- 1908 He was a wonderful little animal; he never seemed tired or weary; he was always ready and willing to follow the track beater, or the sled ahead of him; for three-fourths of the entire journey he acted as foregoer or leader of his own team.