The Black Team pulled the hook and left Unalakleet at 9.15pm after just under eight hours rest. Allen still has 14 team members with him as he heads to Shaktoolik. That’s a lot of booties, jackets, leggings, dinners, massages, etc etc. He’s doing a grand job with a big team of youngsters (and some elders).
It appears he’s still travelling with Rick Casillo from Battle Dawgs Racing.
Drop Dog Update: We have verified that Driver, one of the yahoos, is the dog that was dropped from the Black Team in Koyukuk. He was tired and a bit sore, but having spent a couple of days resting at the checkpoint he is probably rearing to go.
This pic is one of my favorites from the re-start in Fairbanks – it really illustrates the nature of the yahoos. Trying to capture them all in one frame is near impossible without a wide angle lens.
Woohoo!
No, it's not Chicken Pesto.
I'm just excited the Black Team still has 15 members.
Woohoo!
great update again.
the pups/yahoos are doing great. thanks Allen for being such a terrific musher and dog custodian.
we rock it!
and Chipper is still on the team!!
Run SP kennel.
padee santa rosa ca
Allen must really enjoy this part of his fantastic career as a Dog Musher! Watching these young pups learn the ropes and set out on their biggest adventure of their lives….it's got to be awesome to watch from the runners for 1,000 miles instead of racing hard. A nice way to end a very competitive season! I'm glad to hear Driver was just a bit tired and sore….probably back to 100% by now!
Oh, I miss seeing the yahoos so much!!! They are so enthusiastic, energetic and all around adorable!!! And so are the elders, of course…. Goes without saying!!! 🐾🐾🐾🐾❤️❤️❤️
Driver will recover soon! He's young and is being pampered by the drop dog volunteers!!!
Allen and his team look good, just a mile from Shaktoolik.
Aliy? Is her tracker working?
Whew!
Now I can breath.
Aliy's tracker is working.
Shaktoolik standings, it looks like they checked in Rick instead of Allen?
BLACK TEAM ROCKS!!!
But of course they do – with Allen on the runners they can't miss!!!
So much young talent coming – to the Red Team next year…woof, woof, woof!!! ID2015 was their coming out party!!!
And just think of all those eager FIRE litter pups champing at the bit, so to speak!!! And they can learn so much for their brother Commando during the summer vacation!!!
Awe, poor Driver had to leave his buddies. Hope he recovers okay and had fun on this big adventure. You'll get 'em next time!
Rest up Driver. Woof woof. Go Black Team ★★★
Oh Driver buddy…good job!
A shout out to the Yahoos. What a wonderful race so far for them. Allen is such and excellent trainer/mushed for the youngsters. Should be an outstanding team next year with all the dogs coming of age. Go Allen. So nice to get some news of the Black team & Allen.