It’s 11.30pm AK time (12.30am Yukon Time)
Here’s today’s audio wrap from Aliy.
Allen and his 14 friends are at Clinton Creek hospitality stop, no doubt enjoying Sandy and Earl’s caring and welcoming generosity. They arrived in third position, just a few minutes ago at around 11pm. Allen appears to be breaking the run from Eagle to Dawson into three legs (I originally had “Allen IS breaking the run” but it’s the Yukon Quest and anything can happen so I have the more vague “appears to be“). He stopped the team to rest roughly 50 miles from Clinton Creek for about 2.5-3 hours before continuing down the trail. They will rest there for a few hours (three? four? five? I don’t know) before the final leg into Dawson – 56 miles up the Yukon River.
Handler Number One and Handler Number Two (Bridgett and Aliy) set up camp today and sent through some ‘before’ pics and ‘after’ video. The dog camp is over the river in West Dawson. An ice bridge is constructed from main town over to West Dawson, which can be pretty freaky the first time you drive over it – you are literally driving over a river.
Some of you guessed right! Their mystery Handler Number Three looks to have been essential in camp set up. Once dog teams start arriving to camp she won’t be allowed there so has spent a bit of time checking it out today.
The camp spot is fairly close to the road entry point and is on the north non-river side of the main bisecting road. Neighbours are the Squids Cody and Paige and the vet shack is close by. Firewood for the log burner and fuel for the cookers is also in easy distance.
For those not familiar with what happens in Dawson – it is unlike any other checkpoint on this race, or indeed any race SPK runs in. Handlers are completely hands-on for 36 hours and can take care of every aspect of dog and musher care. Aliy and Bridgett will rotate around and work together on a schedule to feed, walk, massage and love on the dogs. They can also help Allen with his sled and make any repairs that are needed plus dry out dog coats, harnesses and musher clothes. Here Allen can also add to his own equipment from the truck without penalty. It’s pretty unique and is one of the things that makes the Yukon Quest extraordinary.
Handlers are important people as Andy Pace will tell you in his latest Armchair Musher piece.
I understand the Yukon Quest visual content team will be live broadcasting teams’ arrivals into Dawson via Facebook (**temperature and cell coverage permitting – a common disclaimer for this race) so make sure to catch that. If you can’t, the video should stay up on their page to view later.
The updates are GREAT.
Thank you.
john gomes
Love seeing the accommodations each year! The dogs are sure blessed and the handler doesn’t live too awfully either for those 36 hours.
Now we wait for Allen to come on in and rest as well.
Love these audio updates! I wonder what dogs think when they see that big tarp, straw and the smell of a warm meal when they pull in? 36 hours is a good chunk of time to get all the TLC they could want….the veteran dogs are probably like “Oh yeah, this is the race with Dog Camp….Magic Dog Camp!” Allen I know enjoys the respite too…great time to refuel for part 2 of the race! Great job handlers…..and Ziptie….I knew she talked ya into taking her!
The camp looks fantastic. The team should be quite comfortable there and super excited to see their other family members. <3
I wondered if it was possible Tig might go.
How exciting.
ok, Ziptie? lol
I thought she looked peppy,
now I think she is mellowing. lol
😉
Nice setup in Dawson for the team Aliy and Bridgett. You are prepared for sure! Dawson is like half-time and sometimes things change after half-time. It will be interesting to see how the race unfolds after half-time. In the meantime the dogs and Allen will get pampered and prepare to finish the race. Love Dawson. It’s a checkpoint like no other. Go Black Team! We are with you in spirit.
P.S. Really cute mystery rider!
The camp looks comfortable for canine athletes and human handlers. I enjoy this aspect of the YQ, when everyone takes a break. I enjoy following this race and cheering on SPK from wherever I am. Run, dogs, run!
Camp looks awesome as usual! They will all enjoy the comfort and warmth! Nice to see Tig there.
Aliy and Bridgett–the dogsw know you both so well and that will be what the dogs need also!
Rest well all!
Zip-Tie must be so very proud – she’ll be wanting to go into training for next year’s teams!!!
And such good news that the Crew didn’t have to shovel out the camp spot!!!
So exciting!!! WOOF WOOF WOOF – love Aliy’s voice messages of play-by-play action!!!
Really interesting to see the organization of the camp – the arctic tent looks cozy! Logistics – getting a camp stove from Fairbanks to Dawson (wrapped my head around that one a bit).
Linda