In this “Aliy Cam” episode, we pick up when the Red Team has left Shaktoolik and is crossing the frozen Norton Sound — the “frozen ocean” — en route to Koyuk. Aliy describes the trail, the ice conditions and what it’s like to be “out there.”
She also shares from her musher’s perspective the same confusion we all experienced with the GPS of the route “going backwards” after the crossing. We knew where the checkpoints were, but not where the trail was. Aliy knew where the trail was, but not where the checkpoints were. I think you’ll agree our circumstance was far less disturbing!
This video is fantastic! I teach second graders and after they are done tracking the mushers and race this year, they will write a diary of their own fictional journey on the Iditarod Trail. Aliy, all these videos will be PERFECT for our writing workshop1 I can't wait to see the one taken on the Happy River Steps! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! And congratulations on your great run this year!
Actually, the first time I saw a musher move out across the bay – it was after King had already made it to Koyuk and there were no other mushers in sight, it was very disturbing. I was afraid he'd gotten off the trail. I couldn't imagine, with sea ice being less dense, why it would be better to run straight across the sound instead along the edge closer to land.
Creepy.
Wow! I remember watching all those GPS squares moving out onto the ocean and, specifically, when the GPS showed Aliy and the dogs starting across. I thought what a long, lonely trip that looked like it would be. And how unnerving it must be to not be certain exactly where you were going or why you were going that way. I loved when Aliy said that Dingle would find the village! Always the positive attitude. I know I would be very glad not only to have the dogs to pull the sled, but also the company of the dogs as I made my way across the sound.
Thank you so much for all the videos we've seen so far and those to come. They really make the race come alive.
OMG I sooo want to take my vacation to come see you all. Well I'm in Anchorage – so not too far but you should get a B&B! I'd sooo come vacation to see the doggies and life style! Simply awesome! Thank you yet again, for sharing!
This comment doesn't need to be posted.
These videos are simply amazing.
Small request. When you get back to normal (LOL), I'm hoping you will put up a separate page with all of the videos in chronological order. Adding a number to their names at that point would make it easier for a viewer to be sure all have been watched.
Aliy and Allen are going to be remembered for a long time for their contribution to Iditarod awareness!
I echo the thoughts of many of those who wrote in. Many of us were online trying to figure out what all the mushers were doing and what they were experiencing. It even seemed that you could see the other mushers leaving as you were coming.
Thank you, Aliy, for taking a video of this part of the race. I'm from sunny southern California. Our end of the Pacific Ocean never freezes, so it's hard to imagine a frozen ocean.
I can't wait to see the infamous Happy River Steps.
Congratulations to both you and Allen for making this Iditarod your fastest ever. I checked on your numbers often during the day. I am glad that you and your precious dogs made it in safely. I hope one day to meet you all.
God Bless…