It’s 10:15pm Nome time (which is the same as everywhere else in Alaska) Feeling: Pumped that the team is on the coast!
After checking out of Kaltag this morning at 7:37am Aliy took the team over the portage trail for about 45 miles before stopping for a 2.5 hour break at Old Woman Cabin. Check out this link from the “Iditarod the First Ten Years” Facebook page that shows a beautiful painting and short story by Jon Van Zyle about the “Old Woman”.
The team then pulled into Unalakleet checkpoint at 8:43pm to a huge crowd of people and press. They are the 7th team to the checkpoint. It looked to be raining in the village and the live stream camera was smattered with rain drops. So much so that the scene looked like an impressionist painting.
Aliy has bedded down the team and will rest them for a while (pretty vague huh? I have no idea how long they will break here). Even in the smudge we managed to discern that Allen and Doug made it to Unk! They have very distinctive gaits. Aliy will be really happy to see them both and they will be able to watch over the team as she goes for a rest. They are unable to help her in any way – feeding or petting the dogs, helping with her gear and equipment – but they can be there as cheerleaders and to make sure the dogs are undisturbed.
Sebastian Schnuelle is also in Unk and posted this post and pictures.
After Unalakleet the teams follow the coast up to Shaktoolik. It will be dark when they travel this trail but last year Aliy took a couple of videos from the area. You can find them here and here. She will travel through one of her favourite sections of trail, the Blueberry Hills.
Marc Lester from ADN is following the race and was in Eagle Island yesterday and captured this wonderful picture of Aliy and Nomex. I would love to hear what you reckon she is whispering in his ear. Click here to see the original.
In the meantime, the first wave of family/handler crew made our own trek to Nome, albiet a bit quicker and easier. Here’s a few pics of our journey today.
Sending all good wishes for a safe trek to Nome for all!
The Straw Ladies
Thank you for the pictures! It’s so neat how the front page news is a picture of Aliy and her team! The teams are getting closer and closer to the finish line in Nome as some teams are now on the west coast of Alaska. Go Aliy! Safe travels on the coast!
Glad to hear Doug and Allen made it to see Aliy! I’m sure it gives her comfort to know the dogs
are watched while she gets a short nap. I was watching but it was a bit smudged to say the least.
Could hear the kids saying it was Aliy Zirkle and she had a crowd! Go Aliy and Red Team Dogs!!!
Now that’s a picture if ever I saw one!!!
WOW, are we fans of the right musher and kennel? You bet!!!
WOOF WOOF WOOF SP Kennel!!!
GO RED TEAM!!!
Now that’s a picture if ever I saw one!!!
WOW, are we fans of the right musher and kennel? You bet!!!
WOOF WOOF WOOF SP Kennel!!!
GO RED TEAM!!!
And yes one more WOOF!!!
Very nice … I always said I would go to Nome to see the end of the Iditarod, but never have done so. I know you all will have a great time watching Aliy and others come in.
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Except for the time it took her to get to Iditarod, it looks as though the whole strategy of rest later has paid off. The team has shown great speed and resilience this year. She was faster than Jessie Holmes to Shaktoolik.
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As I write, Pete is leading into Koyuk. One can expect that Nic will by-pass Koyuk and head on to Elim. Although I truly like all I have seen of Joar on the videos, this year if Aliy can’t win, I would love to see Pete take it – you know, Alaskan village born and raised. I really enjoyed Jessie Royer’s comments about what good people Joar and Pete are to travel with.
I love seeing the pictures of the dogs. I swear that Decaf learned a thing or two from Commando on the “don’t mess with us” stare. This is 2nd shot with that “look” Very intense and all business. Glad to see it. As Aliy is a little further back, and as she says maybe everyone in front of her takes a wrong turn…I would wish no ill will on any other team…but just saying, maybe Nic can lead 6 or so astray including sneaky Seavey!? HA I haven’t heard the fat lady sing folks!
“I love you too Nomex.”
Safe travels to Nome family/handler crew.
Moira, Thank you for so much that goes in to all these updates. They are even better after a nap. 😉 Thank you for the wonderful links!!!
Aliy, Love the photos and seeing the relationship you have with your team!
You have the heart and skill to finish strong! To win! Enjoy the journey and seeing part of our God’s creation that many of us never see.
My husband and I loved our time in Alaska (Denali) last August and hearing your story from you in person on our train ride.
Praying forJesus to give you and your team health and strength on this journey!