It’s 1.00pm. Feeling: Reassured that Aliy and Jessie are travelling together across the Sound through the weather.
Aliy and 11 team mates left Shaktoolik after just over a 5.5 hour break. They will be well rested for the run over the Sound. She and Jessie Holmes are running together for now. On the live feed we see it is snowing and blowing in Koyuk so out on the Sound we can only assume it is worse. We often see mushers teaming up together on this section, it reminds us why we love this sport. Aliy and Jessie will be wanting so badly to beat the other but sometimes they put that aside. They will take turns leading to give their lead dogs a break. Aliy told Allen she is enjoying running with Jessie.
They have both passed the shelter cabin and onto the Norton Sound just now.
Katie Polcyn is at the Shaktoolik checkpoint and sent us some pictures. This one in particular shows just what I was talking about – Aliy and Jessie leaving the checkpoint a few feet apart.
Don’t be alarmed if it looks like they are off the trail after they pass the shelter cabin. The actual trail is further towards the coast than is depicted on the GPS. If you click on one of the other mushers that are ahead you can see their actual path behind them. See right: blue line is GPS line but red line is the trail Pete Kaiser took.
While you are waiting and refreshing you might like to catch up on the Iditapod by KNOM in Nome. Alaska Public Media’s Zachariah Hughes and KNOM’s Ben Matheson are on the trail and getting some great interviews with the mushers.
Here are a bunch of other photos from Katie in Shaktoolik. Thanks for sending them through Katie!
In this photo we see Aliy putting booties on Decaf as they prepare to leave.
We’re loving seeing the transformation in Decaf. He is normally such a silly, enthusiastic happy-go-lucky youngster but in most of the photos and videos we’ve seen it looks like he has taken lessons from Commando in perfecting the serious “blue steel” look. Good boy Decaf!
This is a really good picture to illustrate how an Alaskan Husky’s coat works in the snow. This is Five – he is quite comfortable in this situation. He is not curled into a tight ball, burying his nose under his tail so he’s not cold. The snow is just sitting on top of the guard hairs on his coat and as soon as he stands up and shakes it will fall right off. These dogs can function in -50F so a bit of snow and wind is not a problem.
Go to sleep Nomex!!
Aliy talks with Palmer and Fena Sagoonick. Palmer ran the Iditarod 2001-2003.
As the team leaves the checkpoint notice Aliy is wearing her white windbreaker gear. It is still warm as you can see from lack of gloves and fur ruff but certainly windy.
Returned Dog Update
Driver was Aliy’s team mate that finished his race in Unalakleet. Allen phoned from the checkpoint and said he was doing very well all race up until just before the checkpoint when he started favouring his front end. After a rest he wasn’t any better so she decided it was best he came home. As Unk is a hub for returned dogs we are hoping he got on a flight right away and he will be at Linda’s soon.
Amber was the team mate she had to leave at Shaktoolik. Amber developed a sore wrist and Aliy thought running over the Sound in the wind was not the best place for her. She is getting well cared for out in Shak until she can get on a plane to Anchorage to stay at Chateau Steiner.
At this stage of the race a team of 11 is still a big team.
Allen and Doug have arrived in Nome from Unalakleet so the handler/family crew has all arrived safe and sound. Just need one more human and 11 dogs and we’ll be complete.
Thanks ever so much for these awesome photos, observations, reports from Allen and thoroughness – what a wonderful service to all of us who are clinging to our mouse/refresh element of, in my case, left arm (by this time I am sure that this is the case).
WOOF WOOF WOOF
GO RED TEAM!!!
Wow! Thanks for the update! Driver and Amber as well as Commando have done Great! Now it is getting
well soon. Linda will be a busy woman but am sure she can handle it. When the team gets home from Nome
they will all have stories to tell each other! Onward Aliy and Red Team–looking good out of Shak!
Great name for a book, Home From Nome.
Thank you for posting these wonderful updates with awesome photos. I have learned so much from them. Go Red Team!
Awesome photos. Thanks Katie and Moira!
I’m so sorry Driver and Amber won’t be able to finish the race. All athletes develop injuries from time to time and these canine athletes are no different. The trail has been tough. I remember what Allen said in the YQ “if I have to think about it, then it’s a no”. Cute picture of Amber under a blanket with a volunteers seeing to her. Hopefully Driver and Amber will make it to the Chateau soon.
Awwww, Decaf has matured! Love it. Go Aliy and team!
It looks like they built a nice shelter out of the wind for the Returned Dogs.
It’s obvious this year’s trail has required a lot from the teams. Driver and Amber had an amazing performance this year, the team will miss Driver’s strength and Amber’s excitement. Prayers for a speedy safe return to SPK family. Thank you for getting Aliy to the Coast at a great pace.
Thank you for the pictures from Shaktoolik Katie. <3
Steel Blue Decaf, "I'm ready Aliy."
Violet, "Sleep Decaf."
Five, "Ah, this feels nice."
Nomex, "I think I hear food."
Winking Rodney, "Watch what happens on this next run!" 😉
Out of Shaktoolik, Aliy still has all of her three and four year old teammates. Impressive! Also impressive that her veteran Mismo is still in the hunt with her. Hats off to you Mismo, you sure got your papa Biscuit's longevity!
Yes, 11 is a great number of teammates at this point!!!
Happy you are safely in Nome.
Yes….PHEW….glad they are traveling together. I have been watching the tracker religiously and yes….safety in numbers.
Sorry to hear Amber and Driver had to leave the trail a little early….but they really helped the Team along to get this far…..GOOD DAWGS!
I absolutely LOVE the pictures…..my favorite is the volunteer tending after Amber…so very sweet!
I think we will all feel less anxious once they are across the ice and safe at Koyuk!
Wonderful photos from Katie; they really capture the dogs and the essence of the checkpoint. 3:27 and they are about to reach Mitch – who has been hanging out there a 2h47 by the tracker clock (so longer?). One always worries when you see them “resting” on Norton Sound, but Mitch is savvy, so it is not as troubling as it would be to see a newcomer in that spot.
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Pretty exciting that Jefe, Bruno, QT and Decaf are such Rock Stars and just over 3 years old!
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Awww. The crew that left the race will have such a great time at Linda’s enjoying some well deserved down time. I like that we had the same thoughts about Decaf. This trip has sure matured him. I kept sending him msgs to keep watch over Aliy and his team mates. Maybe he heard me. Feel bad for Nic but ya gotta do what the dogs tell ya. This whole race I kept watching him and thinking about Brent Sass in White Mtn a few years back. When they’re done, they’re done. As for Aliy. Go dogs go!
You are doing an EXCELLENT JOB with the posts. I think it is the best SPK coverage ever. I appreciate: the insights and interpretation of what you think is going on, ALL of the links to the newspapers, blogs, photos, etc., the interviews with Allen – great to get his perspective on the trail, and the updates (there are times I wondered how long Aliy has been camping, and found out when I read your posts). I have enjoyed this year’s race so much more because of your diligence and excellence in reporting. THANK YOU!
I second that – I have especially enjoyed following the race this year. It’s been fun for lots of reasons.
AWESOME PHOTOS, THANKS KATIE & MOIRA.
Follow the GPS Tracker, the Race with Aliy.
Go, Go Aliy.
Hi, from Florida.
Brita
Been watching whenever I can get a peak at the computer or iPhone. Great team work as usual! Go Aliy!
Aliy you are an amazing inspiration and a class act!!