We are so happy and relieved to see all those beautiful faces looking so happy, trotting down the chute to meet us. They all looked fantastic and Allen was even coherent which, after just 3.5 hours sleep since Saturday, was amazing!
Commando and Dutch led the team into the chute and Sparkie and Kodiak – who are enjoying a real bromance at the moment – were in swing followed by Clyde and Champ, Rodney and Five, Nomex and Driver, Junior and Chena with Violet and Felix still in wheel.
Check this out… after 500 miles and they look like this? You can’t ask for anything more.
After completing immigration formalities and formally checking into the checkpoint Allen spoke with the gathered media. He told them the hardest part of the race so far is the cold. While Allen was busy we greeted the frosted faces of 14 of our best friends. They enjoyed their beef and salmon and were in full song when Allen was ready to take them down the trail to camp.
“Holy c**p they look good” – those of you watching the Quest live feed may have heard Aliy exclaim that as they left the chute on Front Street in Dawson to run the next two miles to camp.
Once there the vet team was immediately on hand to give the dogs a thorough looking over. They are in great shape. We then fed them a huge, hot meal, dressed them, and every dog got a foot and body massage. We then tucked them into their straw beds and covered them in blankets. It’s a cold night here in Dawson and they have worked hard to get here. They will certainly enjoy their rest. Jeff is there with them tonight and he will enjoy the peace of the dog camp.
In the truck on the way back to town Allen was telling us about what happened since we saw them in Circle.
Coming in to Eagle was lots of glare ice – listen to the great story behind the picture we posted by Whitney McLaren.
American Summit was WARM! Crazy! He decided that every caribou in Alaska must have been at the top of American Summit enjoying the elevated temperatures up there. He said it was difficult to find the trail, not because it was windblown or had fresh snow but because of the caribou tracks everywhere!
He also described the bone chilling temperatures on Forty Mile River. After enjoying the amazing hospitality of Sandy and Earl at Clinton Creek where he got 1.5 hours of the best sleep, he knew it was going to be cold for the next eight hours. He said that his mindset when he left there was “We will endure”.
It is very easy to frost nip everything at such extreme temperatures, coupled with the wind that came up. Dogs, especially the boys, are prone but Allen was able to keep them from suffering that by ensuring the boys were wearing what we, rather indelicately, call “dick ticklers” – fox tails – in the vulnerable region. This is like a fur ruff on a parka only a little lower down. His preventive measures worked and all the boys’ parts are in full working order.
It’s hard for mushers to be comfortable in these conditions. One reporter asked Allen in Dawson “how do you stay warm out there?” – Allen answered “I don’t think I did”. A good clothing system is essential and Allen still works to perfect it even after so many years. This year he purchased new beaver mitts which he was pretty happy about on Forty Mile. He is not shy about wearing multiple chemical hand and foot warmers. During his brief camp in the hills between Eagle and Clinton Creek he had intended to take one hour to get a warm meal into the dogs. He decided to change his socks and put new foot warmers in and he said it took him about half hour to do something that usually takes just a few minutes as everything takes a little longer in the cold.
Allen is really happy with the dogs and happy to be in Dawson. All 15 will enjoy the next 36 hours.
Right now everyone but me is asleep so I will go ahead and do the same. I have a little bit of video to edit and share with you tomorrow, as well as a dog update and more fun stuff.
Great stories….what an adventure! Its amazing how these Teams endure the cold like they do….simply amazing! We loved the audio in this post….to hear Allen tell the story about the glare ice and the now infamous “cone” and his not so graceful fall was crazy…..lol, wonder if those pics will pop up! Anyhow, time to rest, warm up, and eat LOTS! Let the pampering begin in preparation to the second half!
Fantastic! Take a well earned rest, young man.
Another great “wake up” post for me. And I did laugh right out loud at the nickname of the fox tails. I’m thrilled that everyone is doing so well, despite the bitter cold. Rest well and enjoy the time together.
The Straw Ladies
Thank you Moira for staying up and posting this! Wow, Allen sounds perky for just having 3.5 hours of sleep. I just watched the YQ live feed video of their arrival and, even though it was hard to see much, I could see the dogs tails wagging and could hear Aliy praising the dogs. Sleep well humans and doggies.
Allen is holding a healthy lead while taking care of the team. Warm up, rest up, eat up, repeat.
Loving the live interviews. Allen sounds surprisingly alert. Team absolutely looked good and when Aliy said that, I thought, “man, this group knows how to take care of the dogs!” Though I already know that, it was confirmation.
And I keep asking why you train your competition. Ryne, Chris, Jeff. After Ryne’s scratch and reading her post, I see that you training your competition puts more mushers out on the trail that want to mush and win races, but want to take care of the fur babies first. You not only have to race them, you’ll be battling them for the dog care awards!!
LOVE you gang! Mush on SPK…well, after some rest. Have an awesome day in Dawson!
What a wonderful treat to hear Allen’s voice!!! And his description of a team of 13 leaders (and Mr. Wheel-Dog Felix, I assume)!!!
SP Kennel Crew ROCKS!!! Have a wonderful sleepZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZeveryone, 2 and 4 legs!!!
Allen and the team looked awesome coming in to Dawson. The live feed is amazing. The breeding and training of the dogs really shows in their stellar performance over this challenging trail. I think Allen (and all of the other long distance racing mushers) are a little bit crazy…but isn’t that what we all think of extreme athletes even as we admire them and watch their incredible performances. Happy rest…and good luck on the balance of the race.
Thanks for the great report. Absolutely incredible story; and it is only about half over !! WOW. Good work Allen and team. You have earned some rest.
Just the most wonderful scene! Dogs jumping with joy! Job well done so far SPK!
Nice to hear Allen talking about his adventure on the trail. Get some well deserved
rest Allen and Fabulous SP Dogs!
That picture of the Black team coming into Eagle is gorgeous.
I love the audio interview with Allen here, and his interview upon arrival on the YQ Facebook page.
How he can speak so clearly after only 3 1/2 hours sleep over 4 days is difficult to understand.
Loving the audio. Thanks so much for taking the time to post.
I always get teary when I read about their arrival and how they are doing and seeing their photos and reading all the great comments from the other fans.
Heart, heart, heart
I’m in awe….4-leggeds doing ‘4-off-the-floors’ after running 500 miles…THIS is what excellent dog care, excellent training and 100% commitment to both looks like….. along with 2-leggeds that work their pants off and manage to keep good attitudes. WOW. Everyone at SPK should be proud. Get some rest.
Just endure, what every musher and dog has to do to race in such frigid temperatures. Simply amazing. Allen was every perky talking with the media. What a treat to hear Allen share some stories from the trail. Thanks so much for the great updates Moira.