Races
February 12, 2019 by

In between running YQ200, caring for dogs in Dawson then being glued to the tracker, Aliy has been finishing her Iditarod food drop bags that were due Monday. Most of the dog meat and kibble was already measured and bagged, thanks to Sheila, but all the dog jackets, booties, human supplies, vet kits etc etc needed to be completed.

 

Mismo and Lydia helping count dog jackets and blankets

The Iditarod Trail Committee requires mushers to send at least 50lb out to every checkpoint, even if they are not going to be staying so Aliy ended up sending over 1,400lb in total to 22 checkpoints, including supplies for Nome. The bags will then get shipped to Anchorage where the “Iditarod Airforce” will take them out to checkpoints ready for teams as they arrive.

Packing drop bags takes a lot of thought, especially in the Iditarod with so many checkpoints because you can’t just send everything to everywhere (unless you are a multi-millionaire) so you have to have in mind your strategy and plans for rest stops plus contingencies when you pack them. Mushers also pack an empty “return bag” that they can pack unused non-perishables – gloves, booties, clothing etc – except dog food, and it will be returned to them after the race.

Thanks to everyone who helped get the bags ready. Every little bit helped!

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9 Responses

  • Mismo and Lydia look like a lot of help. 😉

    So exciting, no time for a break at SPK
    I hope you remembered to pack a little Ibuprofen.
    Thanks to all who pitched in.

  • I’m always blown away about the prep for these races…especially the 1000 mile ones. At least this year its a little less chaotic with just the Red Team hitting the trail in a few weeks. Enjoy your training runs….the big race will be here in a flash!

  • GO RED TEAM!!!

    Mismo is sure flattening out the package he’s lying on! And Lydia seems to be thinking…”I wonder if we should mix and match red garments?”

    Well, you go for it,Lydia, for it is the RED TEAM, after all!!!

    Here’s to the YQ200 Champs!!! WOOF WOOF WOOF

  • That seems like a lot of work to pack at least 50lbs of materials to 22 checkpoints. I love the picture of Lydia and Mismo watching all the stuff get packed! I am super excited for the Iditarod to start and I will be cheering for Aliy and the Red Team! It’s only 18 days away!

  • Getting these bags packed has to be a big job! Thanks to everyone that helped! Mismo & Lydia
    the extra helpers. Gee, I think I have seen that red and white item before. Go Aliy and Red Team!

  • Mismo and Lydia are great helpers. Great job Aliy & SPK.
    On to the Iditarod! SPK is the best.

  • Thanks for the Mismo and Lydia shots! How exciting – another race for all of us SPK fans. Good luck on the preparations and thanks to all who help. What a huge job. SPK has such depth and experience in their 4 legged family that it’s going to be hard to pick who’s on the starting line up for the Red Team. A ‘good problem’ to have. 🙂

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