YQ: Central Checkpoint

After the Two Rivers checkpoint, Allen and his 14 team mates climbed over Rosebud by the light of the 3/4 moon. Allen said the climb was “great” (Allen never really is one to use four words when one will do).

They pulled into Mile 101 checkpoint around 4:50am. They came in smoothly and fairly quietly until they stopped for Allen to check in with the officials, then a few yelled to keep going (I’m looking at you Champ and Felix). He is running the same team configuration as he started with, with Kodiak and Commando in lead. He said they are all doing great and he is happy with their speed and enthusiasm.

Jeff led them to their parking spot way in the “back 40” on a close by airstrip. This was a fantastic spot for the dogs as they were well away from all the other teams and were able to get good rest. It wasn’t so fantastic for Allen as he had quite a hike back up to the checkpoint for the utilities (dog water, fuel etc) and the mushers’ sleeping tent, but he’ll take that if it means the dogs get good rest.

We took turns keeping watch over the team during the morning. It is our way to show our love for them. The Mile 101 checkpoint is set in a gorgeous spot surrounded by mountains and it was a clear night. I was lucky enough to get the sunrise shift, and the stillness, the pink waking sky, combined with a sleeping dog team was bliss.

Temperatures at the checkpoint hovered between -12F to -15F: perfect weather to mush dogs.

After Allen got a little rest he fed the team their big meal of kibble and meat snacks, dressed them for the climb ahead and set off with Eagle Summit in their sights. Getting the team up and over Eagle Summit is always a big relief for us as spectators. The word on the street was that was +20F at the top of the mountain!

Bridgett, Jennifer and Scotty hiked up Eagle Summit to see them and they took GoPros to capture what they saw (thanks Verizon). I don’t have good enough internet yet to share with you but they have some amazing footage of the dogs happily working hard up the slope, then Allen doing all he can to slow them to assure a safe descent.

The run from Mile 101 to Central checkpoint is relatively “short”, so Allen and the team pulled in and out of the checkpoint and will camp on the other side, somewhere along the way to Birch Creek. They galloped into the checkpoint and were none too keen to stop, especially Rodney and Commando. After the officials checked Allen’s mandatory gear (sleeping bag, snow shoes, axe, cooker, food and booties plus the vet book) he grabbed some fuel and straw for camp and emptied his “to go” drop bag into the sled. We carefully pack these bags prior to the race to ensure that if he decides to go through a checkpoint he can just pick up the “to go” bag and be confident he has everything he needs to continue.

Allen then spent some time fixing lost booties, putting leggings on a couple dogs, clearing off their snow beards and snacking them on some poultry skins. He spent perhaps 20 mins in the checkpoint before heading into the sun towards the fourth checkpoint, Circle City.

I spoke with the Canadian Rangers Bob, Robert and Pete who are trail breakers for the entire race. They carry not just trail markers; they haul fuel for their trusty steeds, a wall tent and stove and survival gear in case they get stuck somewhere. They had not done the Alaska side of the trail before and enjoyed Rosebud and Eagle Summit climbs and the views in this part of the world. Thanks to the entire trail breaker crew, our teams couldn’t do what they do without you!

Currently we are sat in Central Corner restaurant eating burgers and watching the start of the Super Bowl. We’ll camp here for a wee while before taking on the winding road to the next checkpoint. Thank you to the team at Central, they are working really hard in the kitchen and behind the bar. We appreciate your hospitality!