As you know, my “plan” to receive the first chip from Aliy’s camera while I was in Fairbanks went the way of most plans around here. It may either still be “in the mail” or already waiting for me when I get back. Oh well…
The good news is that Bridgett brought the second camera chip back from her visit with Aliy in Unalakleet. Although this means you will have to deal with seeing the footage out of overall sequence, I’m pretty sure you’d prefer to see it as soon as possible than wait until I can put it all in order!
In this first video “live” from the Iditarod Trail, Aliy is between Ophir and Cripple:
🙂 This is awesome. Thanks for sharing right away – yes, I don't care if its out of order, its so exciting to see some of the trail!!!!
Nice video. I'm impressed at Aliy's ability to record the video at the same time she is traveling down the path. It was really interesting to see her and the dogs camped out by the side of the trail.
I do have a question. When other sleds and dogs pass by, do the dogs (and Aliy) wake up? If they do wake up, do the dogs bark at the other dogs or seem to want to give chase? Or do they just raise their heads, take a look, and settle back to sleep?
I don't enough superlatives to
say 'wow', 'wow', but WOW!
Award winning filming… thank you!
Absolutely fantastic! The video….the narration…..everything! What is Aily using for a camera? Perhaps you've already answered in a previous post.
Thank you Aliy for shooting this footage. Thank you Bridgett for carrying it back to Nome. Thank you, thank you, thank you Mac for getting it rendered and posted to the Dog Log so promptly.
I'm happy to watch footage from the trail in whatever order you can bring it to us. Chronological or not, it's all FABULOUS!
Glad you liked the first "episode"… but I have to say… "You ain't seen nothin' yet!"… I'm simply overwhelmed by how astonishing the footage is… I'm editing the next episode now… You won't believe it!… Stay tuned!
Even though I live in the Interior and drive through portions of it regularly, I have become accustomed to the open, largely unpeopled regions through which I travel – and you can eat up the 362 miles between Fairbanks and Anchorage handily. Still, it takes hours to get everywhere and there are only 5 asphalted highways connecting hubs, 95% of which are 2 lanes.
Watching this video, I am again utterly overwhelmed with the vastness of the wilderness and the "state" I call home. She is deep in the Interior but hasn't even made it to Cripple yet – and it is emblazoned in my mind how long the run from Cripple to Ruby took .. and nearly the entire state is as open, roadless, and heart stopping beautiful as this.
cool!
I hope the fast threat of comments shows: we are all sitting here and watching you guys. and enjoy it.
funny how aliy made it to videotape herself. liked to see the dogs having a break … so quiet …
What a great video. Thanks to all who made it possible.
It was fun to watch on video the campout that I remember 'watching' on the GPS a few days ago. I was a bit surprised to see them camped out in the open so close to the trail, though. I can see why she wouldn't want to make the dogs travel further than necessary, especially off the broken trail, but wouldn't the dogs rest a bit better in those trees up ahead, out of the wind and at least a few feet away from all the teams passing by? I'm sure they're well trained to ignore the action, but I was still surprised to see them so very close.
I have chills! What an awesome video, awesome narrating, awesome dogs…
I really enjoyed seeing how they camp right next to the trail and that entire process.
Then explaining the what she was seeing in the dogs-WOW!
Auntie Em:
Early in the race when the dogs have more energy, they may be more aware or responsive to other teams passing by them, some dogs may even bark a little bit. But after a couple days, not many of the dogs will move at all in response to passing teams. The top mushers will actually look for dogs that rest well and aren't easily distracted by other dogs. A dog that is distracted by passing teams and barks when a team goes by can distract the other dogs on its team and make it harder for them (and the musher!) to rest.
Aliy had a dog like this named Manny that ran with her the last few years. Manny was a barker and full of contagious enthusiasm while running on the trail, but he sure could drive Aliy and the other dogs crazy when they were trying to rest and he was doing his Manny bark every time another team passed!
This far into the race, the dogs — at least most of them — wouldn't be bothered if a semi-truck rumbled by… Training helps, but being tired is the key… So, mostly, teams amble on by and nobody really cares…
Prepare yourselves for the next video… It is going to blow your minds!
Based on my experience uploading the last video, I expect it to be up sometime a little after 7pm our time… That's at least a good time to start hitting the refresh button!
Thank you so much for the video! I really enjoyed it!!!
It looks like the GPS Tracker is no longer available for non-Insider subscribers :(.
Best of luck to Ally, Allen, and the dogs for the rest of the race!
Thanks so much for this.
I'm always struck by how much burlier the dogs look from behind than they do when they're not in harness and pulling.
Amazing!!! I have watched it 3 times already! I love it and I love how calm she and the pups are…just another day at the office!
It really brings it to life with these kinds of videos and I'm so thankful you(Mac) and Bridgett care about us wannabes from home! It has been awesome following along with you!
Looking forward to seeing some more!
Randy — Right on again!… Thanks!… If you're the Randy I think you are — "Texas Randy C." — I'd be delighted if you'd continue to reply to "technical questions"… If so, I'll look for your replies before I try to fill in the gaps… "I've got a lot to do" and would welcome the help… as I'm sure others would, too!… Okay?
Mac & Randy, Thank you for your answers. I appreciate your insights. And, yes, I do remember Manny and still enjoy watching the videos on this site with him—especially the duet he did with Moonpie. They so beautifully complemented each other.
I agree with other comments about how relaxed Aliy always seems, even when I know she must be exhausted and has so much to do. That has to contribute to the confident, happy dogs on her team.
What a great video! I am amazed that with all Aliy has to do on the trail, how cold it is on the trail, she can still take time to get us great video of what she is feeling, how the dogs are doing, etc., etc.! Thank you Aliy, Bridgett and Mac for making sure we have these tales from the trail before the Iditarod is even finished!