In Episode 7 we are traveling on the wind blown flats past Ophir – well before Iditarod. You can see that the clouds are still hanging low on the horizon and it’s a possibility in my mind that more snow may fall. The dogs are traveling pretty nicely despite the fresh snow.
The countryside here is enormous. Everywhere you look there is endless horizon. It’s a bit mind-blowing actually. In this area, the Iditarod trail is marked with both race lathe and large wooden tripods. I would gaze around and try to decipher the general direction of the route. Sometimes I could, other times not. When I saw a tripod or sometimes a white swath across a sea of tundra, I was pretty certain that the team found the trail.
Closer to the Iditarod Checkpoint the trail got “better” due to the fact that at least ten snow machines passed me late in the afternoon. The trail was only “better” if, in fact, the driver of the machine found the correct route and didn’t lead us off on a wild goose chase through the tussocks or tundra. Also snow machines are quite heavy, so after they pass over a snow laden trail, their track will squish down the snow and theoretically “pack” the trail. This works very well when the temperatures cool and the route freezes up. Since the temperatures never cooled on the 2019 race, the snow machine traffic was somewhat of a moot point.
I think it’s funny that I say in this short Episode 8 ” The trail has improved… at this moment.” In other words, I never got my hopes up… good thing!
WOW!!! A double helping of ALIYCAM!!!
Of course, one wonders if it might be more difficult in the pitch black to find this “trail.” But you did find it!
Can’t wait for “Iditarod the Place” to see the good doggies at rest after their brave and forward move!!!
Thanks so much for your sharing of these experiences. WOOF WOOF WOOF
Thank you for sharing. Very nice videos .
Who knew what the trail would be like between Ophir and Iditarod …you had to take it, mix up your routine a bit…roll the dice. Its just unfortunate the temps didnt set up the trail, or a storm didnt move in behind you…but you and your team tried it, and that was a bold move! Vast country indeed!
Amazing video! Thanks for sharing your Iditarod!
I feel like I am getting a lot of new perspectives from the videos this year – bittersweet. The beauty you are sharing, sweet – the beauty I will most likely not see for myself, on the bitter side.
Notice I say, “most likely”, because one has to leave the door open to the unexpected, right?