ID2020: Wednesday Morning – Last Leg Towards Nome

Congratulations Thomas Waerner! What a spectacular run and what a thrill for him, his family and his team.

Time: 11:40am Race Mile 906

Aliy and her team left White Mountain at 10.30am for the final 77 miles to Nome. She left with Dutch in single lead followed by Junior and QT in swing, Spark and Decaf, Five and Rodney, Jefe and Cloud and Violet and Amber in wheel. According to the tracker they are moving nicely down the trail.

Thanks to Padee back at the kennel and Barbara we have some screen shots of the team leaving from the Insider Live Stream.

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Don Bowers Junior described this leg to Safety:

The trail leaves White Mountain on the Fish River for about three miles, and then leaves the river to cut overland to the southwest, crossing low, rolling tundra and several streams before reaching the Klokerblok River. It runs up the river and across some low ridges, and then crosses into the drainage of the Topkok River.

The trail then turns west and climbs over a series of barren ridges to a 400-foot saddle just northwest of Topkok Head, overlooking the coast. It then descends sharply to the beach, reaching the Nome Kennel Club shelter cabin at the foot of the hill, 30 miles from White Mountain.

For the next 12 miles the trail runs along or just behind the dune line and the “driftwood line” on the shore. This stretch is wide open and is subject to winds of more than 80 miles an hour from the north, as well as blinding whiteouts. The trail will join the Nome-to-Council road (not plowed in the winter) at the Bonanza Ferry bridge and then follow it for the last 12 miles to Safety.

The team will then stop to check in at the checkpoint in Safety and Aliy will gather her race bib to cross the finish line. After that they will climb Cape Nome to get a view of the city below then drop down to the shore line before popping up onto Front Street for the run to the burled arch.

Returned Dog Update

News from Linda: Kodiak has been glued to me since the return. He wants to be snuggled and to be indoors. Chevie is very happy with her outdoor house and play area. She has been in the doghouse all night. I think I hear snoring…

Both dogs seem happy to have nothing to do but nap! They are following their mentor Midnight’s example.