Right now the team is resting at Stepping Stone hospitality stop. By all accounts “hospitality” is an understatement here as it is “rated by Mush-elin”.
Check out the Stepping Stone Facebook page for some fantastic pics of the team arriving and settling in for a rest in the sun. Where they are resting looks like an island. It is a clear patch surrounded by trees up off the river where the sun is beaming through the trees. The dogs are basking in the sunshine, stretching out their muscles and smiling in their sleep.
There is a warm cabin for Allen to go into with lasagna, burritos and nice hot water for musher and dogs. It is often a difficult place for mushers to go by without being tempted to stop.
The run through the Black Hills took the team around 10 hours so we expect they will stay a while in Stepping Stone.
Next up for the team is the run into Pelly. Leaving Stepping Stone they will run 35 miles on the Pelly River. It will not be run on the hilly bush trail as in previous years because the river has frozen well this year – there is some jumbled ice but it is not significant and not expected to cause any difficulties to the team.
Once they arrive in Pelly they will have gone 210 miles since last contact with the road system and Allen’s first resupply point. It’s the first time since Dawson we will get to see those 15 faces, so we are excited to greet them later tonight.
The temperatures in Pelly are WARMING. The -40-50F that we have had for the last few days are subsiding and there is some heat to the sun at -20F.
Pelly Crossing is a welcoming checkpoint for mushers and handlers alike. It is based in the Selkirk Nation Link community centre and the “Questeraunt” will serve hot food and beverages. The hall, currently fairly empty, will soon fill up with handler teams, volunteers, vets, spectators and fans.
As we expect it to be dark by the time the team arrives I took a few pics in the daylight to show you what the checkpoint looks like.
In this panorama view you can see the straw bales to the left, in front is the parking area (likely over the berm you can see) then on the right is the checkpoint building and drop bags.
We’re going to make use of the facilities here and have some dinner, catch a nap and be ready for the team’s arrival later this evening. Refresh, refresh, refresh.
WOO-HOOOOOO. Still all 14 4-leggeds healthy and happy going down the trail! WAY TO GO SPK! I am SOOOOOOO psyched! Barring any injuries, this Black Team is going to get to Whitehorse in first place again. I know there are a lot of miles left – and a lot can happen out there – but the ‘excitement is building’ – like Allen said in his interview. 🙂 It’s so cool to see the Black Team doing well. Whatever happens, stay safe 2-leggeds and 4-leggeds, and let us know how the Pelly Crossing ‘Questaurant’ is!!! Thank you for the great updates. GO, Black Team, GO!
What an incredible handler team – GO TEAM. Go Allen and dogs – may your trails be safe and fast.
I wish I were there. I liked Pelly Crossing driving through. I can just imagine mushers are grateful for both Stepping Stone Hospitality and that of Pelly Crossing.
Thanks for pointing out the Stepping Stone FB pics. They are great. The dogs look good. One of the pics shows Allen bending over tending to the dogs and you know he has to be exhausted! The focus he and Aliy put on their own physical training pays off during a race….especially in a long one like this! Has it really been a week since the YQ start?!?!?
Yes the excitement is building – can’t wait until they arrive Pelly!!!
WOOF WOOF WOOF
The drawn picture of Allen is Great! Congrats to whomever did it. Am so excited to see
the dogs in Pelly. Lots of rest means Happy musher and dogs! Go Black!
I’m glad to hear that Allen still has 14 dogs with him and that all the athletes are doing well. It looks like the Black Team is in the lead in the race. WAY TO GO BLACK TEAM! You’re doing fantastic!!
Great update…..still going with 14 strong dogs (and 1 Musher of course!). Stepping Stone sounds like a dream of a stop on the trail! Wonder how much sleep Allen has gotten since Dawson…..I’m always amazed how attentive Mushers can be , even in a sleep deprived state of mind. Glad to hear things are “warming” up!
Go Allen and the Black Team!
Enjoy the hospitality and a great rest in Pelly.
It looks like Allen left Stepping Stone hospitality about half an hour ago, with about 30 mies to go.
Woohoo!
I’m glad he got the chance to rest his team there. I guess having an eight hour + lead opens up more opportunities. I hope he enjoyed an extra serving of moose lasagna. I appreciate the pics Stepping Stone hospitality posted for us. Nice!
Pelly looks ready for the Black team.
I love the drawing of Allen. <3
Thank you for another AWESOME update.
I hope all 15 make it to Pelly healthy happy and strong.
🙂
Way to go Allen & Black team. Enjoy rest and stay in Pelly Crossing. A nice little town. That seems like a comfortable lead for SPK. Nice pictures. Hope Allen gets some rest. Thanks, Moira for wonderful posts, you truly keep us well informed.