What happened today?
The dogs, Aliy, Karolyn and Mark set off from the kennel early and travelled the Alaska Highway to Whitehorse. It’s a 12 hour drive plus a stop to feed the humans and dogs along the way. When Allen and Moira drove over on Tuesday night / Wednesday morning it snowed almost the entire journey but it was cold and clear for the trip today.
While the team was on the road, Allen and Moira attended musher and handler meetings. Allen heard about the latest trail conditions to help decide his dog configuration for Saturday. He also had lunch with Nicole, his Quest Guest, who is a good friend of the kennel and also from the Coast High Country Inn, one of the race sponsor hotels. Thanks to Ruth Bethea for your generous donation.
On arrival, we got the dogs out immediately so they could stretch legs, empty bladders and bowels then gave them a hearty meal of two different kinds of kibble (one soaked, one crunchy) mixed with fat shavings – a typical trail meal.
Bruno scoffs his dinner down.
Once all the dogs were seen to and back in their boxes, the humans went over to the starters banquet for dinner, fellowship and to watch the mushers draw their bib numbers.
Elder Betsy Jackson of the Ta’an Kwach’an First Nation and Councillor Jesse Dawson of Kwanlin Dun First Nation welcomed the teams and blessed the mushers and dogs on their journey.
Allen drew bib #26 which means the Black Team will leave the start chute at 12:15pm local time on Saturday.
We were introduced to the race officials, vet, communications and logistics teams and special recognition given to Dr Nina Hansen (head vet), Pixie Ingram (communications team leader) and Natalie Haltrich (former Yukon Executive Director). We then all enjoyed a spectacular dinner including Arctic Char and about ten different types of dessert!
After dinner we got the dogs back out of the truck and took them for a good walk to stretch out. They were all pretty keen to have more poultry skin and beef snacks before bed. Yummy!
The timetable for tomorrow is: up early for breakfast, both canine and human then at 10am Allen will be speaking at the Quest Fest so we’ll all go along to listen. If you are in Whitehorse we’d love to see you there.
Later we have the vet checks and meetings for the YQ200 before an early night ready for “go time” on Saturday.
YUM….dogs love their food! Looks like they all have a good appetite! I couldnt help but notice the local brew…..how cool is that to have a special YQ english pale ale batch made up for the festivities! We are all excited about the start Saturday….lets get on that trail!
I am excited for both races to start! I am going to use the GPS tracker for the races to cheer on the Red and Black Teams!
Bruno must have been one hungry sled dog! Thank you for the video and pictures.
Go SPK
Its here! The Quest is on.
Safe, healthy, enjoyable travels wished for all but especially SPK. Hear us whispering in your ears as you move down the trail…mush on. We’re with you.
Thanks for the pictures and info. Sounds like cold up there for the start but Mushers are the
toughest people! Safe travels to all and good luck! Violet and Iron were eating good but
Bruno sure scarfed his meal down. Good Dogs!!!!!
Bruno gives Clyde a real test for fastest eater! Go SPK both Black & Red teams. Travel swiftly, safely, & joyfully along the trail. Lets see those SPK dogs noses across the finish line First!!
Good luck to all SP Kennel athletes, 2 and 4-legged, plus thank you in advance to the hard working support teams for Black and Red!!!
Onward!!!
WOOF WOOF WOOF
Woohoo go 26!
It looks like SPK has a great team of ambitious eaters.
🙂