It’s 1.30am Yukon time. It’s just below 0F (Updated 2am with pics and video from crew)
Allen and ALL 14 OF HIS TEAM MATES – Spark and Five in lead, Amber and Dutch in swing, Chipper and Commando, Bruno and Jefe, Perky and Rodney, Scooby and Clyde, Decaf and Violet in wheel – left Dawson city headed for the next checkpoint in the village of Pelly Crossing, 201 miles away.
We are really delighted and proud that all 14 are fit and ready to go with Allen, showing his exceptional dog care skills for the first 500 miles combined with Aliy and Bridgett’s ‘Princess Cruise for Canine Athletes’ for 36 hours paid off.
Aliy went over to dog camp at about 7.30pm to slowly and quietly prepare the dogs while Bridgett stayed with Allen while he sorted out his personal clothing and equipment back at the hotel before heading over to camp for the final time at about 10.30pm. Once there he packed his sled while A&B dressed the dogs.
Allen said he was feeling great and was ready to tackle the last half of this race. He slept well, ate well and was able to relax knowing the dogs were in the best handler hands.
By obsessively watching and refreshing the zoomed in tracker, I could see that they had made their way from camp to the start point with plenty of time to spare. But then the tracker didn’t update for AGES so when it did it jumped right out of my zoomed screen. What the heck? They followed along the river for a short while out of town then exited onto Bonanza Creek Road to climb and climb.
This next section of trail includes a climb up the highest point on the Yukon Quest – King Solomon’s Dome, just outside of Dawson. I’ve seen varying measures from 3,800-4,002 feet – either way, it’s quite a climb! Back in 2015 Allen took video of his team climbing the dome – they were travelling in the other direction from Pelly to Dawson in this video but I have a feeling this is the only video Allen’s ever taken during a race so I thought I’d include it here. He will be travelling it in the dark tonight so will miss this view.
Check out this page that I stumbled upon while googling “how big is King Solomon’s Dome?” Don’t worry, it’s not a risky click – it will take you to a Yukon Quest page “Where to Watch the Race“. I had never noticed this page before so I’m sharing with you in case you haven’t either. Some really interesting information.
Time to get those refresh fingers back into gear – 460 miles to go.
All 15 athletes looking ready to tackle the second half of this race!! Way to take the lead Five! (I’m sure Jefe’s ready to move up into his new found role if needed.) 😉 Hopefully sassy Chipper won’t be too distracted by handsome Bruno being BEHIND her. Oh that’s right– she’ll probably switch focus to that amazing guy and running mate right beside her…..COMMANDO❣Wishing SPK Black Team a safe fleet journey. Go Take King Solomon’s Dome!!!!
I hope Allen and his team get a break from the wind on the dome this year too, even though it’s nighttime.
My tracker wouldn’t refresh either. In fact it had him back in camp on my computer.
I didn’t know it could show differently. I guess my poor internet has an impact, lol.
Fortunately I checked the YQ1000 current standings and they had updated with Allen’s time and 14 dogs. They hadn’t updated Cody’s before that so I wasn’t even sure they had access. Then Allen’s tracker shot out onto the trail. Woohoo!
I hope all the handling crew get some well deserved rest tonight.
I’m off the check out that “not a risky click.”
Wow….all 14! That is awesome! Hope the trail conditions are better for the Team on this half of the race….thanks for posting the 2015 blast from the past video…I can see Chemo and Outlaw motoring along up the Dome…..and those views…. incredible!!! Allen was no doubt looking forward to all the sleep waiting for him in Dawson!
Time to get back to the Tracker!
14 dogs out! WooHoo! Pretty Amber is going to sit for a little while longer. And Bruno 😂. I’m sorry Allen will not get the view he had in 2015. Beautiful landscape looking out from King Solomon’s Dome.
Go Team! Stay safe, stay warm, stay happy! I hope handlers get a little rest now! Thanks for giving the dogs the “Princess Cruise for Canine Athletes”.
Thanks ever so much for this news and all I can say is…
WOOF WOOF WOOF
Go BLACK TEAM!!! Go ALLEN!!!
Sparkie and Five in lead–go get um Boys! Watching on the tracker and fingers are ready!
Hope the next 500 is easier on the sled! Go Black Team!!!!
OMG. I am checking all the time. God speed, Allen, God Speed. Go commando, go Violet. I am crushed by feelings for these dogs and this human. I am humbled by their abilities. I sit in NE MN with rescued sled dogs that no one else wants and we are perfectly happy. We don’t have to race. We just go out for fun runs and enjoy life. And then sleep in a warm house – and they sleep all day while I’m at work. We’re a bunch of very pampered mammals. But we’re happy. I can’t imagine the pressure and the decision making every step of the way. It’s a marathon, not a sprint; but that makes it even more complicated. All thoughts out to you, SPK, all thoughts and energy to the Black Team!