ID: Wednesday Through Takotna and Ophir

Time: 5.30pm Race Mile: 357

Since I last wrote, Aliy and her team have moved on through Takotna and Ophir checkpoints and are currently heading towards Cripple checkpoint where, we presume, they will take her 24 hour mandatory stop. Read a detailed description of the trail here.

Through Takotna this morning was an extremely efficient affair. Just three minutes recorded in the checkpoint. As I mentioned earlier she packed her drop bags with “to go” bags ready if she decided to move through a checkpoint. She also packed a “return” bag of all her non-perishable items and equipment such as dog sleeping jackets, fleece blankets, human clothing, harnesses etc, that can be sent home after the race. Had she stayed, all the gear was available but as she went through she didn’t want to spend time sorting what needs to go home. Sleeping jackets, blankets and clothing are waiting for her at further checkpoints.

The team stopped for just under four hours in Ophir, enough to give the dogs a good sleep in the heat of the day and a warm meal, and Aliy a nap. Both Ophir and Cripple are ghost towns now-a-days so are not as bustling as some of the other checkpoints.

Stopping at Cripple for the 24 hour break was Aliy’s plan A so we’re excited that she is sticking with that plan. According to the standings she is in 7th place but that is meaningless as many of the mushers ‘behind’ her are taking their 24 hour break and will leapfrog past her when she stops the team for their long break.

Have you been following the Teacher on the Trail – Kelly Villar’s column? It is an interesting take on the race and her latest entry has this cool pic of Aliy getting a kiss from Spark.

We expect Aliy to stop the team for a short break somewhere along this trail before arriving in to Cripple so don’t be alarmed if you see her tracker paused.