Right on time at 12:16am Allen and 13 team mates left for Eagle. They were howling and excited to get moving again. We won’t see them again until Circle City – around 310 miles away! (In the meantime the handler crew will drive 1050 miles.) Safe travels doggies – and Allen.
The dogs are dressed quite differently than the last time we were able to help. Temps are much higher and snow conditions will therefore be different. Sticky, wet snow is potentially on the trail and that can cause “chicken legs” on the dogs with longer hair on the backs of their legs. The snow can stick then it comes off in balls, taking the hair with it – causing chicken legs. We dressed any dogs that might have a potential issue in leggings. They are also wearing their puff coats and Allen has packed in the sled the wind coats that were not necessary for tonight.
Leading out the team was Dutch and Chipper with Commando and Junior in swing, Spark and Amber, Nomex and Clyde, Rodney will run on is own (which suits his as he can twirl and spin as much as he wants), Bruno and Champ with Felix and Vi in wheel.
Allen left Ironman with us – coming in to Dawson on Monday night Iron had a hitch in his get-along on the back leg / groin area and although Bridgett, Karolyn and Aliy worked on it for 36 hours, massaging and stretching, we ran out of time to get it back to rights. He won’t take long to recover but as Allen said “If I have to think about it at all then it’s a no”.
It was a very conservative ‘drop’ but it is not worth taking him knowing he is not quite right and risk turning it into a major injury. Iron helped the team for 500 miles, he enjoyed the Dog Camp experience and is no longer a Yukon Quest rookie! He will join his YQ200 buddies and head back to the kennel with us in the truck.
Go Allen and the Black Team! No doubt I will be a little distracted at work today! Good boy Iron…rest up and enjoy the attention!
Good BOY Ironman! You did good helping the team dive into the first half of the race!
God speed, Allen and Black Team. And safe driving for the SPK handling crew and 4-legged transport convoy.
Good luck – all of us SPK fans are out here are following and wishing you safe and happy travels.
GO SPK!
Thank you for the videos and the update on the Black Team. They are doing great and I am excited to hear about the finish in a few days. Go Black Team!
Ready to roll! Fingers refreshed. Dogs looked happy to be moving on. Sleep is nice but…let’s go!
Safe travels to Allen and team. We all will breathe a sigh of relief when 2 Rivers has the rest of you safe at home.
Yup, care of Iron’s injury is more important than chancing it to be something bigger later.
Glad we fans got the chance to see them leave Dawson. Looking good! Go SPK and Go Allen!!!
Rodney is a cutie pie!!!
Meanwhile we too will be doing the refresh finger (which has gotten a 36 hour rest) all the way to Circle. Maybe Rodney was telling his mates “next stop Circle City – CIRCLE CIRCLE…woof!!!”
As others have said, safe travels to Iron (such a handsome guy) and the YQ200 Champs – all 13 (including Mismo and his favourite musher Red Team Leader).
GO BLACK TEAM!!! FLY LIKE EAGLES TO CIRCLE CITY!!!
I hadn’t noticed the start/restart time coincidence, crazy.
Rodney certainly has a lot to say. I hope he keeps up that enthusiasm through to the finish.
Chipper will soon be a pro at Quest markers like her momma.
Fun videos 🙂 Thank you SPK team!
Safe travels to everyone by trail and truck.
<3
alright dutch boy show that spitfire how to climb and run.. good dogs and have a great run allen
Sorry to hear about ‘Ironman’. I figure, that he just liked the massages too much!! Sounds like the team was raring to go. Leaving a sore dog behind, is one of the outstanding traits that make SP Kennels the BEST. The dogs ALWAYS come first. Being able to read a dogs gait and attitude, is amazing. Allen made the right choice here, as usual. Go TEAM, and be safe out there Allen and team.
Leaving Dawson behind, go Allen & Black team. Safe & swift travels. Good job Iron much better to be safe than sorry(that is what is so endearing about SPK, DOGS are alway first). Safe & swift travels to handler team & for YQ200 teams mates. Thanks so much for the pictures & updates.
Thank you for the update! Iron, heal well and fast and enjoy a little extra pampering. This is shaping up to be an exciting race and Allen and the pups are right in the thick of it!! Rodney, buddy, you never fail to make me laugh 🙂
Go SPK Black!!!!! Safe travels whether it be by sled or truck!!
Good job Iron! Say hi to your buddy Driver back home!
Woohoo! Allen is less than three miles from Eagle (where he has a mandatory rest) and over the last hour I have watched him widen his lead over Michelle, Brent and Hans by between .5 to 2.3 miles. Allen and his Black team are on fire tonight! I hope Allen is excited arriving in Eagle and feeling like he is part of that magic carpet ride again. 🙂 🙂 🙂
Get some well deserved rest in Eagle SPK Black team.
Go Violet <3 <3 <3