Sorry for the “radio silence” today everyone, we got a last minute opportunity to fly into Rainy Pass with a good friend of the kennel Mike Litzen of Litzen Guide Service and we were unable to post from there.
Allen arrived into Rainy Pass at 12.22pm, soon after we landed at the checkpoint. The team was looking good and he was in really good spirits. He said he was pleased with the way the team was running and he was right where he wanted to be. He made particular mention of how well Clyde was doing! Allen dropped Sissy at Finger Lake as she had a sore right shoulder and, because the trail was “punchy” (soft) and they were heading into what is described on iditarod.com as “a tough run with some short stretches of extraordinarily difficult trail” (which includes the Happy River Steps), he decided it was best for Sissy to leave her there to be flown back to Anchorage by the Iditarod Air Force. We have just picked her up from the dog drop HQ at the Millennium Hotel and she is just fine. She’s eaten lots of fish snacks and kibble, had a good rub down and will enjoy catching up on some sleep.
Aliy was sleeping when we arrived but we were able to stay to see her leave at 3.08pm. She’s happy with the way the team are running and with her schedule so far. Mac is impressing her and she still had Beemer and Quito in lead. She dropped Tug at Rainy Pass because she was having some cramps in her right shoulder. Had the next run into Rohn been flat she may have kept her to see if she could loosen up a bit but with this part of the trail described as “some very tough trail, including the notorious Dalzell Gorge” she was worried Tug could really hurt herself so decided to leave her. Tug will be flown back to Anchorage in the morning.
I have loads of photos and video from Rainy Pass and will edit that tonight and get it to you asap!
Thanks for the update. Yay for Mac and Clyde!
Thank so much for posting the update!! Have been wondering which of the dogs were dropped. Can't wait for the rest of the photos and the video.
Keep up the great work!!
Ah, I love Tug! So sorry she can't make it down the trail. It's hard when a dog has to leave the team, but as always, dogs first.
Go Aliy, good luck.
Thanks for the updates. Go Aliy and Allen and the wonderful dog teams.
Thank you for the update. We are following a group of 20 mushers including Aliy in my 5th grade class and really love seeing new posts each day!
Well we would be the Team Miller anons. lol. So so so thankful & happy to hear how everyone is doing; humans included 🙂 God Bless & eyes to the moon ~ or stars at least. Pulling for SP kennels. Go,fight, win !
How nice that some of of you were able to make a trip out to Rainy Pass – thanks so much for this first hand update on the awesome SP Kennel teams. Go Dogs!
You are the best! I've been worried about which dogs and why re:drops – ditto to the comments about the super website service – love you guys!
Go Red Team! Go Black Team!
Woof! W00f! for Mac and Clyde!
Go team SP! Love from Georgia