It’s 11pm Yukon time – Tuesday night
Our 13 athletes left Braeburn and headed off down the trail towards Whitehorse, right on time at 6:46pm. As I write they are about 22 miles into the 95 mile run home. As mentioned in the previous post, Decaf is finishing the race in the truck, he’s doing just fine but certainly enjoying a sleep.
Here is Aliy’s audio update from today:
Dutch and Sparkie led the team out with Amber and Five in swing, followed by Jefe and Bruno, Commando and Rodney, Scooby and Clyde with Chipper and Violet in wheel.
At the checkpoint the dogs ate well and slept long so were ready to hit the trail again come leaving time.
Seems Commando is none too pleased about running further back in the team and not in lead so twice during the race he has shown his feelings by gnawing on the main gang-line instead of sleeping. Figures if he cuts the front dogs loose he can be in the lead and in charge! Luckily both times was at a checkpoint and Allen was able to fix it before leaving.
The handler crew have made it to the hotel in Whitehorse and will try to get some sleep, although I’m sure they will be up and checking the tracker all night as obsessively as all of us. We expect the team to finish sometime in the middle of the day tomorrow, depending on trail conditions, so the morning will be spent preparing for their arrival. They will clear out the truck, sorting all the returned gear from drop bags and disposing of trash to make room for the precious cargo it will be carrying. Shortly before the team arrives Aliy and Bridgett will thaw some snacks for the team to eat in the finish chute and prepare a warm meal for them to enjoy back at the truck after their final veterinary exam.
One last night of refreshing the tracker (until that other race!)
Commando has a bit of his auntie Quito.
I always suspected she chewed loose to find a handsome male dog, perhaps on Jeff’s team. 😉
Who knows maybe Commando saw an attractive athletic femme on Cody’s team, but he chewed the wrong line?
Rest well if you can handlers.
It looks like Allen and his teammates are working their tails off.
Too funny about Commando…I mean, not cool Commando, Not Cool! LOL, but I like his way of thinking to cut the leaders loose so he can be in the lead. Smart dog. 😉 I will be hitting the tracker refresh all night…being a night owl has its advantages sometimes.
I can totally understand how days just blend together on races like this…the audio rundown was awesome once again! We will all be watching the tracker today on this last long run to the finish…hope Commando behaves himself and leaves the gang line alone during the snack breaks!
The final run to the finish. This has been a race to watch. The Quest really does throw something at the team’s every year. Wind and snow this year. Was it last year or 3 years ago the temps were below frigid at Whitehorse start?
Curious if Allen has a favorite direction to travel the Quest? Maybe a question for a later interview?
Again, good boy Decaf. You’re like your sponsors. Great work ethics but tend to overdo it!
Safe finish wished for the team and sweet dreams for the brothers in the truck.
Checked the tracker before I went to bed and during the night. I hope Commando can
get up front for the finish. He just likes the lead!! Rest well everyone and Go Allen and Team!!
Yip! Yip!
Go team go! Can’t wait to see them safely cross the finish and hugs all around! WAY TO GO SPK!
Then we can all sit back and relax……until that NEXT race……hahahaha
Little Violet, how I love her. The wheel dog extraordinaire! I love all of them. Maybe Allen will put Commando back up front at some point so he gets a little ego stroking?
GO BLACK TEAM!!!
Commando is a darling.
These audio reports are wonderful – thanks so much, Aliy!!!
WOOF WOOF WOOF!!!
Commando…… one smart dog! Best wishes for an awesome finish.
Ridiculous that I wanted to stay up all night watching the tracker, but I had to make myself go to bed @ midnight.
But I do get to the watch the finish, so there is that.
I have seen people persevere through many things and given the state of Allen’s sled now I am guessing it is simply a matter of will power to not be defeated by circumstances.
Looking forward to seeing them all home in Whitehorse – safely off the trail.