It’s 9.30pm Wednesday.
BLACK TEAM UPDATE
Allen and his 15 team mates have pulled in to White Mountain at 8.34pm tonight. The earliest they can leave is 4:34am tomorrow morning.
Depending on what the Weather Gods throw at them tomorrow we should be expecting them mid to late afternoon tomorrow.
The eight hour checkpoint routine includes a couple of big meals and plenty of hydration. Aliy said that the cold weather combined with wind, hydration is really important for the dogs so Allen will ensure their meals are watery and they eat lots of fish snacks (these have more moisture than, say, beef or poultry skins). Allen will also get a chance to have 3-4 hours sleep at the checkpoint and, no doubt, spend some time talking with the other mushers around him.
Along with teaching a young team to run to Nome, one of Allen’s other favourite things about running the “second” team in this race is he gets a chance to enjoy the fellowship of the other mushers he might never normally get to spend time with. I know that several young mushers have learned a lot from Allen through the years and appreciate his wisdom on everything from dog care, to strategy and to life in general.
We are so excited to see everyone in Nome! One more sleepless night before we can rest our refresh finger until next season.
RED TEAM UPDATE
Everyone is sleeping.
RETURNED DOG UPDATE
Commando and Schmoe are with us in Nome. They made their way here today.
“Hi Chris, I just ran 900 miles! It’s nice to see you Schmoe
Hotshot is now out at Knik with Margie, Violet and Woody. He’s not a fan of being inside so he is happy outside with his own house and his mates nearby.
Kodiak, on the other hand, is enjoying some inside time in Anchorage with Linda and Midnight. He’s decided he’s the King.
Mismo and Champ are still enjoying the hospitality of the volunteers out on the trail. We’ll hopefully see them either in Anchorage or here tomorrow.
Aliy said Mismo was left in Koyuk due to a torn toenail. It is something that will heal just fine but he needed a few days rest to heal.
Aw, all the dogs are somewhere with people who love them.
I would say more, but I really need sleep and…
I love all the personalized information about all the team members.
They are all amazing. Lots of love between those mushers, trainers and dogs.
Off to bed, so glad Allen's team is resting at White Mountain.
🙂
I enjoyed watching the tracker as Allen gave Jodi Bailey a boost and flamed her racing spirit alive .. It was fun to see that they really did come into WM that close together.
Thank you for the updates on the dogs. I admit, I fretted about Hotshot being left in Huslia (although I did not know which dog it was then). What if they forgot about those dogs out of the normal flight area? What if the SPK team member was the only dog dropped at Huslia and they forget to go back? Who would take care of him? Teresa set me straight, reminding me that they were being extra careful in the hot weather
I am in love with Commando. It happened two summers ago when I went out and he was so interested in me and very direct. His intelligence was one of those things you simply could not ignore. But, it looks like his affections are given to Chris. I am so jealous.
Well, not really. Chris is worthy and certainly has given him a lot more love and care than I have, so there it is. We treat them well and they will do anything for us – even run 1000 miles.
I was hoping some the dogs dropped closer to Nome could just be "forwarded" instead of heading all the way back…love the shots from the Nome dog lot and of the pups at the extended SPK Crew back at the other end of the trail! Kodiak might not want to ever leave!
What a wonderful way to end the season for Allen…no real race stress….just 1 thing in mind, keeping the dogs happy and rested and moving along the trail….he does that so well! The less experianced Mushers must love to have such a veteran around to ask questions and to learn from. I bet Allen is looking forward to being reunited with the SPK Family….we will be watching the tracker closely….see ya at the live feed under the Burled Arch!
Rest well everyone. Great job Red Team. Black Team, keep it goin'! Thanks for the great photos.
Nice job making yourself comfortable, Kodiak, hahaha. And OUCH Champ. I am amazed at the entire dropped dog process. Impressive!
Safe trails Allen on your final leg to Nome – may the wind be at your back!! I know the crew on the ground will give a big welcome for all of us fans out here watching the tracker and video feed. Congrats Aliy, Allen and all the doggies.
Thanks you to all who have touched, literally and figuratively, the brave doggies on the Red and Black Teams. And kept them moving forward.
The warmth and truth-telling exhibited by the 2-legged team members – the mushers – just adds more class to the SP Kennel persona.
And thanks especially to Moira, who has kept us, the virtual mushers, right there with her timely and sensitive posts with picture, video and well chosen words, in sync with SP Kennel plus a weakness for word play (puns) !!!
Proud to follow the SP Kennel – WOOF!!!
And another WOOF WOOF WOOF!!!
I second Margaret's thoughts. Thank you all. I think being an armchair musher is much more taxing than in any other sport.
I love your Red Team update! It made me laugh out loud!
Thank you for all your updates.
Mollie in NH
Ditto to all above comments. Thanks for such great SPK coverage. Love the picture of Kodiak. Allen great that you get to mentor some of the younger mushers.
Ditto to all above comments. Thanks for such great SPK coverage. Love the picture of Kodiak. Allen great that you get to mentor some of the younger mushers.
Ok! Yeah! I see Kodiak is in good hands and in the life of luxury right now! Somehow missed this post in my haste to read everything.