March 10, 2012 10:30 pm AST
Aliy and the Red Team left Kaltag after a 5 hour 41 minute rest at the checkpoint. She dropped two dogs before heading out on the trail. It is easy to start to try to put her run into a category, where she is in relation to the other top runners, but use caution. She has done nothing on the race that the “experts” have expected and will probably continue to do so! Reports from the trail say that Scooter was one of the dogs dropped, but there was no information about the other dog.
John Baker, Mitch Seavey, Aaron Burmeister, Dallas Seavey and Jeff King are all close on her tail. At present Aliy is 9 miles ahead of Baker, 10 miles ahead of Burmeister (with 15 dogs), 11 miles ahead of M. Seavey and 15 ahead of D. Seavey. King seems to be falling off a bit. She seems to be gaining and losing time at any musher at any given minute. It’s enough to make a person crazy!
The Kaltag Portage trail is one of Aliy’s favorite parts of the race. She feels awed by the people and animals that have uses this trail for a millennia. This trail has been used by the inland Athabaskan Indians and the coastal Inupiat for trade. It kind of puts the world into perspective.
Here is a link to the Aliy Cam video of the Portage Trail 2010 if you would like to see where Aliy and the Red Team are right now.
Ryne just keeps plugging away. She arrived at Galena at 3:29 pm AST with her 13 dogs. I expect she is booting the dogs now and will be heading out soon. If the weather holds, a friend will be flying out along the trail tomorrow. Maybe we will get some news.
All of Ryne’s drop dogs are back in Anchorage and in excellent condition. Honda was picked up about a half hour ago. He was dropped for a sore shoulder in Cripple, but isn’t even limping now. Meg and Viper from the Red Team also arrived in Anchorage this evening. They are all eating well and look good.
Doug, Allen, Bridgett, Scotty and Timber are all in Unalakleet awaiting Aliy’s arrival. We should have some good information in the morning.

10 Responses

  • Thx muchly for the update Kaz. Awoke early in Minneapolis wondering how Aliy and pups are doing. Go red.

  • Greetings from the Lower-48!! We are very warm and cozy in comparison.
    So wonderful to see KNOM acknowledging other talents. I had told Aimee several times to keep her eye on SP Kennels.
    Here is to a great finish!!
    Have some crab for us and we sure do hope the housing is to your satisfaction!! 🙂
    Much love … Don & Jennifer Grogg

  • Go Alyi, I am following her from SD and feel her spirit of determination and joy of the long run. God Bless her this morning as she continues on! I love her perseverance.

  • I remember this from that cold, cold Iditarod – as I recall, this was ChaCha's last Iditarod leading for the Red Team – she and Oddball never made it to the finish, being left in Safety to watch their son Dingle (and Rose) bring the team, numbering only 8 by that time, IIRC, under the burled arch.

    Hope the weather is better this year!!! Wof, woof!!!

  • Is Scotty handing out the first to coast award again this year? If so, won't it be awesome if Aliy is the winner. Hope seeing everyone in Unalakleet gives her a revival, she looked just a tad weary in the videos for Kaltag.

    Amazed at what Aliy and the dogs are doing and so proud to be a fan. Go Red Team!

  • HI Linda F,
    ChaCha is enjoying the life of a "retired" sled dog. Long days laying on a pillow in the living room sunshine, or running out in the field with her "Outlaw" puppies. She seems to be enjoying herself, and runs inside to jump on the couch every chance she gets!

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