Its 8:30am Saturday.
RED TEAM UPDATE
Since my previous post, Aliy and her team passed through Anvik and moved on to the checkpoint of Grayling right around midnight.The team stayed almost six hours in Grayling and are now moving nicely along the Yukon River.
We are aware she has left one of her team mates with the team in Grayling, at this stage we have no idea who that might be so thanks for your patience as we find out more. We will, as always, let you know once we get some information. It is likely to take some time to get whoever it is back to Anchorage due to logistics but they will be well taken care of by the team in Grayling.
By all accounts this is not a very interesting leg of the race. Don Bowers Jnr described it as such: “This stretch has absolutely no terrain—nothing but wide-open river and bend after bend, island after island, bluff after bluff. The west bank is always the high bank, with ridges sometimes rising more than 1,500 feet within a few miles of the river (which is less than a hundred feet above sea level). The east bank is low and wooded, punctuated by sloughs and creeks and islands. The trail stays mostly close to the west bank, but can run anywhere on the river depending on conditions.”
I found an Aliy Cam from 2013 where the team was travelling on the river coming into Kaltag. It was above freezing with wet snow and water at that time. This will give you an idea of the terrain and scenery in the area.
BLACK TEAM UPDATE
Allen rested his team just over eight hours at the Iditarod checkpoint. The trail is difficult for everyone at the moment so he is doing what he can to keep the team happy and enjoying themselves. For most of them this is the hardest thing they have ever done so a good rest will rejuvenate them to continue down the hilly trail towards Shageluk.
Right now he is giving them a break half way to Shageluk along with Jeff Deeter, Brett Bruggerman and Monica Zappa. It’s possible they are at the “Big Yentna Crossing”cabin (I am not certain of that, I am just going by the cabin map – right).
The supply bags we packed for Allen have plenty of contingency options within them. Although he starts the race with a Plan A his run/rest schedule becomes very fluid as the race progresses, so he has food and supplies to stay long at each checkpoint if need be.
An interesting historical note about the trail: The original Iditarod Trail never ran on the Yukon. It went directly from Iditarod to Kaltag across the marshy maze of the Innoko Valley (see red line on map). Old-time mushers on the way to Nome only saw the Yukon when they crossed it to Kaltag.
Thanks for the update and also for the 2013 video, that was interesting to see!
I remember that year. Puppet was dropped at Kaltag and Aliy told me later that she was not holding up the team, but her tug line was never tight. .. ah just commented on it in the video. I noticed that more clearly than I had in the past. She kept looking back at Aliy, like something was not quite right.
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The team is moving well – it seems they hit a stride and then it’s time to rest and who know where their canine minds and bodies will be after that. But, they definitely are more comfortable on the Yukon – all the teams appear to be, except for maybe Nic. Every time I check, he is slower than his contenders.
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As I write this, I am watching several teams come into Eagle Island and wonder if any will go on through. Guess we will know in a bit.
Thanks for the info. Will be glad when Aliy gets to Kaltag and hear of her journey,
maybe see the dogs come in. Go SPK!!!! Do what SP always does for the dogs!!
At 8:54pm E.S.T. Red Team seems to be doing nicely!!!
WOOF WOOF WOOF
GO RED TEAM!!!
I just saw the videos of Mitch, Nic and Joar out on the river…..brrrr….that wind looks brutal! Aliy and the Red Team are motoring along….presently towards the front of the chase pack!
Mother Nature is making her mark on this race….that is for sure!
I remember that section of the Yukon River in 2013. I think Sebastian visited Aliy and the Red team at her campsite. Aliy had some serious blisters on her hands from ski poling. Nice to see that awesome 2013 Red team again. They truly were phenomenal!
I hope Aliy enjoys her run from Kaltag to Unalakleet more this year than 2013.
Woohoo SPK Red team and SPK Back team. You’re doing great in a tough situation.
Delaware Deb
I’ve been a fan for forever and every race I’m with you every step of the way. I have to say you’ve made me a nervous wreck this year as the “pups” are more laid back than usual. I just want to Thank You for being such an outstanding Role Model. You’re a nifty lady who I’d love to hang out with. I’m loving the “Aliy Cam” it gives us “arm chair mushers” a spectacular glance at what you experience and your narration gives us insight as to what you feel and how it affects you. You’re the Real Deal Lady – stay that way! Stay Safe and Stay Swift <3