We got the Black Team out of Pelly safely and they headed down the trail with a sled full of food, straw and equipment for camping along the way. It is a gorgeous morning here, we surely are in a beautiful part of the world.
The Black Team leaves Pelly
After his sleep Allen was in great spirits, laughing and joking with reporters about the trail he’d just been on and the journey ahead. He was talking with us over bacon and egg breakfast, about packing his sled for the trail ahead. He is known for travelling lightly when possible and appropriate, but it is neither possible, nor appropriate to pack lightly for a 200 mile stretch. He joked when he stuffed a bag of mixed nuts in his bag that “it’s like an elephant when you put a million ants together”. Ahh the wisdom of a sleep deprived musher!
Not that long after the Black Team left we welcomed Aliy and the Red Team. All athletes, canine and human had frosty faces and wagging tails (or the equivalent of a wagging tail). They loped into the checkpoint and settled quickly into a comfy straw bed in the midday sunshine. This is the perfect time for the dogs to be resting, they are stretched out enjoying the relative warmth of the sun in their peaceful parking spot.
The Red Team comes into Pelly; Aliy is a little frosted
Dutch and Chipper sporting frosted beards
Beemer has been the rockstar of the team in the last couple of legs. He navigated the team out of McCabe and has shown great enthusiasm to be running with this young team. Aliy was pleased she rested the team at McCabe and they will rest here for a few hours before heading out to, and back from, Stepping Stone and finish the race.
Once they finish we pack everyone up and high-tail to Dawson so we can set up the dog camp ready for the Black team to arrive sometime tomorrow. I’ll post finish pics from Dawson.
Thank you…I've been watching all day hoping for updates! Go Allen, yeah Aliy!
They sure are cute pups with frost on them. Thanks for putting the dogs first and making sure they have a good experience. It's fun to live vicariously through the information relayed on the blog. Your time spent in updating is appreciated.
Thank you so much for doing such an outstanding job on keeping us informed here in the lower 48. Life tracker can only do so much. You are definitely the world champions in keeping your fans updated with such good info throughout the race. It is a lot of work but it is sooo much appreciated. The Wyoming Stage Stop Race just finished in our little town, and they had to deal with 40 above temps. Such a strange winter this year. May God bless all of you two and four legged ones. Mark
Love the frosty beards!! Allen is so funny…did he pack Chapstick this time or was that too much weight??!! He is doing a fabulous job….keep at it! As for Aliy and the Red Team….YOU ROCK!!!
Aliy, Dutch and Chipper are so darn cute with their frosted faces.
Thank you for the timely and informative updates. I have wanted to like your Facebook updates, but I don't have that option. Too many followers, I think, so I can't achieve that status. Anyway, be assured that there are many of us cheering on both the Red and the Black Teams! From sunny Colorado…70 degrees here today!
Woof, woof, woof!!!
Soooo adorable, Dutch and Chipper, and we are proud of you all, 4 legs and 2 legs!!!
And an extra WOOF for Beemer who is so cool he never noticed it was 40 below!
Love all the posts, sincerely,
Margaret
Allen and Aliy, those dogs of yours have the very attitude and 'grit' that it take for these kinds of extreme races!!!
They are absolutely beautiful and loved and well raised by you both!!!
Two winning, exceptional teams!!!
Love the frosty faces, Aliy(more than a little frosty), Dutch & Chipper. Thanks so much for the pictures & great update. Allen your humor is a delight. Go Black Team & Red Team.
Ohhh Thank YOU! Fantastic pics. And to see Chipper so happy on her First Big race away from Home. I will print and frame that photo of her! So proud of all of them and Aliy. Go get em Allen! Beemer you da man! Thank you she has become so photogenic. Great work Moira! Cant wait to see you all!
Padee, Santa Rosa CA
Great post. Thanks.