YQ: Dawson Dog Camp

It is almost T minus 9 hours. It is very mild here in Dawson, certainly not like the -50F this time last year so it has been much more pleasant for everyone to get proper rest and relaxation.

There is not a great deal of interesting activity to report on during the 36 hour layover. We let the dogs rest, eat and stretch out as much as they want. Around noon we all went over to give the dogs a long walk around camp and removed their sleeping jackets in the heat of the day for a good shake and rub down. They are starting to get sassy again after catching up on rest and replenishing all the calories they lost on the trail.

During the veterinarian testing before, during and after the race, one of the tests is the body index score – same as you will see at your own vet surgery. There are six porkers in the team who have a body index score in Dawson of MORE THAN when they were examined before the race – Spark, Amber, Bruno, Clyde, Commando and Dutch. Most of the rest are back up to where they were before the start. Their 1000 mile metabolisms have really kicked in and they are eating all we give them which is a great sign for the remainder of the race.

Here are a few snaps of the team at camp today.

Here’s a quick video I took of the dogs sleeping soon after they arrived in Dawson.

Bob Huston was always an enthusiastic supporter and sponsor of Aliy and Allen. We miss him in Dawson but he is here with us in spirit as he supplied all the dog blankets we are using for the 36 hour layover. Bob flew often and collected airline blankets for us – they are the perfect size and the dogs love them. Bob Huston – Always on Board.

What happens next?

Everyone will catch up on some last minute rest this afternoon then early evening we ramp up to get the team out at 12.16am. The dogs will get one more watery, meaty meal then we’ll warm muscles with liniment and apply more pink ointment to their feet. About an hour from go time we’ll dress them in boots, harnesses and jackets.

Allen in the meantime will have one last cheeseburger and get the latest trail report for the way ahead, before dressing in trail clothes and gathering his personal gear. A couple hours before leaving he will repack his sled, ensuring he has everything he needs and nothing he doesn’t.

At around midnight we’ll give everyone one last kiss, hook them to the line then navigate through camp to the restart line to send them on the trail towards Eagle. Between Dawson and Eagle the team will travel through 40 Mile, past Clinton Creek Cabin owned by huge race supporters Sandy and Earl, then up and over American Summit – where we hope the wind is not blowing as it is totally exposed and can be challenging in the best of conditions. Eagle checkpoint is approximately 150 miles from Dawson so expect teams to camp at least twice, maybe three times.

Once we have the team on the trail the handler crew will then come back to town, sleep hard and fast before getting up early to break down camp and get on the road for the 18 hour journey back to Two Rivers. You might not hear from us much between now and then and I would suggest the YQ Facebook page and Trackleaders GPS tracker are your best sources of information. You will know more about what is going on than us as we drive, drive, drive…

Until midnight it would be a great time to catch up with Armchair Musher Jodi Bailey’s columns on the Quest website. She is a very experienced musher and has a great perspective. Check them out here (click red link).

Has your refresh finger recovered yet? You’ll need it again soon.