Okay!… As you know from my last iPhone post, the Black Team arrived here in Paxson at 3:47. While Bridgett strawed, unbootied and snacked the dogs, Allen made a hot meal for them. After only 45 minutes, the entire checkpoint process was complete — very efficient with two mushers — and the dogs were down for a rest. The mushers then took 15 minutes to eat the food you saw in the photo.
They are now stretched out and resting on the floor… for a whole 20 minutes! After that, they will be up and out to do the “leaving process” — booties, snacks, etc. Their planned two hour “rest” will then be complete and they will hit the trail back to MacLaren.
So far, everything is going according to their race plan. I repeat, they have NO “dropped” dogs. Their plan was always to “leave” two in Alpine and two more in MacLaren. These dogs will add fresh power for the return legs, and should provide a real “enthusiasm” boost to their team mates.
I know that’s good news for all of you, and I have some more: I’ve just downloaded a ton of fantastic video from the camera Bridgett has been using on the trail. I regret that the internet here isn’t good enough to upload any of it — I don’t think I’d have time even if it was — but you have some really great stuff to look forward to.
Meanwhile, here is a still photo to give you a sense of it:
At this moment, we think the Red Team will arrive either just before or just after the Black Team leaves. I will spend time with them, then drive back to Fairbanks. You now know that the Teams have completed their 8-hour mandatory rests, so I won’t have that time in my favor. Plus, after 2 hours of rest here, the Black Team will only rest 4.5 hours total on the return. In other words, by the time I leave here after visiting with the Red Team, I will have to really hustle to stay ahead of the Black Team.
Hang on and stay tuned!
Glad you made it safely to Paxson – thanks for the update!
Sometime during the race wrap-up I wondered if you could tell us more about the conditions for the dogs who are "in waiting" at Alpine and MacLaren. Without handlers and dog trucks, I'm guessing they are tied out in a dog lot and being looked after by volunteers. It's just such an interesting idea – to have dogs waiting at a checkpoint for their chance to rejoin the team, as opposed to the traditional dog drop situation. Were they fed while waiting so that they were truly "ready to go" when Bridgett and Allen picked them up?
If dogs could talk, the 4 that were left back would probably say "hey, I haven't even run yet – I'm not hurt or tired, why are you leaving me behind?!? Take me with you!"
Wishing you a safe drive back to Cantwell.
I suspected that the dropped dogs were part of the strategy, especially since they were dropped so early.
The race updates provided by the race sponsors are nice and now I realize how hard it is to make accurate sense of it all. I am quite happy with what I am seeing so far and my fingers are crossed!
Hi Lisa — I think I partly covered your request about "in waiting" conditions for the dogs in the Paxson Part 1 video… Basically, though, you have to keep in mind that EVERYONE in this sport is very knowledgeable about dogs and — even more important — dedicated to them. So, even though there may be few people around, they all care for the dogs… food and straw of course, but also plenty of pats and hugs…
We don't know what their reaction was to being left, though I think you're on the right track with "Wazzup?"… Allen did say that his "left" dogs were very, very keen to see and rejoin their pack mates!