The run to Sourdough checkpoint was 34 miles and the Black Team pulled into the checkpoint at 10:15 am for a run time of 3 hours, 35 minutes.
As mentioned in my previous post, there is minimal coverage there to get any pics or messages from the team so this is a short and sweet update. We did manage one text message from Karolyn, I guess the wind was blowing favourably or Karolyn ran up a hill or something…
The dogs are very happy and enjoying their work. Allen is ski-poling hard to help the team along. Evidently Allen felt like it was a slow run and was surprised at his run time as it was faster then he imagined. One rule that Allen said he will never break is speeding DOWN hills. This is often when a dog can get injured if the descents down hills are uncontrolled. So, he would rather make up time up hills and on the flats and ski-poling can help with that. He did say that trails are the best he has ever seen so kudos to Jamey Kemp and his crew for getting them in tip-top shape.
Please note: these pics were from LAST YEAR but will give you an idea of what the checkpoint will be like – only with a little less snow I imagine.
After some rest here the team heads to Lake Louise, to the Point Lodge. Trail notes tell us “From Sourdough checkpoint, the race trail crosses the Gulkana River again and heads southwestward toward the fourth and final checkpoint at The Point Lodge on Lake Louise, a total cross-country distance of 55 miles. The trail through this section skirts or crosses over numerous lakes including Fish Lake (19 miles out of Sourdough) and Crosswind Lake (32 miles out of Sourdough). The Lake Louise crossing is a distance of just over 3 miles from the lake’s eastern edge to The Point Lodge on the lake’s southern edge.”
Mushers need to be on top of their game travelling over the lakes as there are a significant number of snow machine and cross country trails, each with different markers and directional indicators. They must keep watch for the CB trail markers or they may find themselves circling the lakes.
NOTE: for those asking, we make our own spreadsheet of run times using the in and out times posted on the website.
Be Safe! I can just see the dogs tails wagging and barking LET GO! Go Allen!
Go Black Team!
I’m glad the dogs are enjoying the race; it must be amazing out in the Alaska wilderness with a dog sled team for company.
This is a great race!
Doing the math right now – GO ALLEN!!! GO BLACK TEAM!!!