SPK Dog Log

Wow!

That’s right. WOW. (All capitals letters that time.)

Mark and Bridgett brought the Yukon Quest dogs home to SP Kennel yesterday evening. It was a delight to see them. They snuggled into cozy straw beds in the dog barn. Each stall opens with a doggie door so they can do their business when ever they desire. They have eaten and rested, been massaged and petted. We have whispered congratulatory “ohhhs” and “ahhhss” in their ears and rubbed their butts.

Then today, we harnessed them up and hooked up the team. Time to go on a slow 2 mile stretch out run — less than 48 hours from crossing the finish line. And WOW. I mean WOW!

All fourteen of the 2016 Yukon Quest 3rd place team members are awesome. (Although… I haven’t actually seen Allen yet, I hear he, the 15th member, is doing well.)

See for yourselves…

I am amazed that these 14 dogs just ran 1,000 incredibly competitive miles and are now back at home — healthy and happy — and ready to run. That’s right… 14 dogs. Felix has recovered from his gastrointestinal issues.

Crossing the finish line with 13 dogs is huge. As I look back through the Yukon Quest data I find no team in the past 5 years to have finished with more than 12 dogs. (The YQ website didn’t have any data for last year. Although I know Brent finished with 12 dogs I don’t remember if anyone finished with more than that. Let me know if I missed someone.)

It is, of course, a testament to Allen, his skill as a dog musher and a racer and the fact that he cares. He puts booties on dogs when they need booties, he medicates dogs if they need medication, he rubs down muscles and wraps wrists and blankets dogs and puts on wind breakers and feeds them snacks on a schedule and urges the team. Many of you may be saying… “Well, of course he does these things.” But, no, you are wrong. These are not givens and to take magnificent care of 14 dogs for the first 500 miles and then 13 dogs the next 500 miles is a BIG DEAL. A really big deal. And I saw it first hand while watching this dog team today trot down the trail in Two Rivers while over 40% of the Yukon Quest teams haven’t even finished yet. Am I proud?! Why yes. Shouldn’t I be?

The public and the media doesn’t get much drama, stories, poetry or tears from Allen. What they get is the ‘real deal’. That’s Allen. You can bet that he is trying run the best Yukon Quest possible and I can guarantee you that he is always trying to win. He did his absolute best this year. Hugh Neff has a truly amazing dog team and Brent Sass is incredibly dedicated to his Yukon Quest dream. Placing third behind these two teams is excellent.

This is the first year that Allen has raced in the Yukon Quest and I have not greeted his team at the finish line. I, like many of you, sat at home and chewed on my finger nails and pressed refresh every few seconds.

I was at the starting line, then I saw his team on the trail camped before Two Rivers Checkpoint and again camped at Mile 101 as I was racing the YQ300. I then went to Dawson for the 36 hour lay over. I said my ‘Good Byes’ to the Black Team as they left Dawson to climb King Solomon’s Dome and I left to go conquer our Iditarod Food Drops.

As you can imagine, SP Kennel is a whirlwind of activity right now. So, this year I choose to leave the Yukon Quest handling duties to professional handlers and head home. Trust me, I am a very poor handler. Ask anyone. Ask everyone. I pance, get cranky and pop more Prilosec than is reasonable even for a Wall Street stock executive. There is really no need for me to be standing at the final 3 checkpoints, eye balling everything and anything that Hugh, Brent and Allen do. I am truly no benefit in that situation because a ‘calming influence’… I am not. I LOVE being there (although my belly doesn’t) but such was not the case this year.

I “watched” the finish like many of you. Three of us sat around the kitchen table watching the tracker at SP Kennel (Wes & Wendy couldn’t make it over in time because they wouldn’t leave their tracker unattended for the 5 minutes to get here!)

When the Black Team crossed the finish line we did a celebratory “Hip Woo”. We had cupcakes (those of you who know me, know that I don’t eat sugar… but I had a cupcake.) I had a beer (those of you who know me, know that I don’t drink during the mushing season… but I had a beer.) I know… now you are all worried that perhaps I SHOULD have just stayed in Canada. Well… don’t worry because: I’m headed back. That’s right.

There are many festivities in Whitehorse this week surrounding the Yukon Quest and, plain and simple, I want to be part of it. It is time to celebrate the awesome 3rd place finish of our dog team. So, put all the other stuff aside… get off the phone, unplug the computer, enough sponsor obligations, sled rebuilding, Anchorage commitments, Iditarod planning… I’ll have no more of that. Time to go celebrate with Allen!

Yesterday, Bridgett and Mark drove with precious cargo back to Fairbanks. They stopped a couple times along the way to let everyone out to pee and they had a lunch break near Beaver Creek.

Lunch break at Beaver Creek

Sights along the Alaska Highway

All the dogs are now in the dog barn at home and will get a couple days off. Aliy will then take them for a couple of short, slow stretch-out run to get them moving again to loosen up joints and muscles before starting to build their mileage back up ready for their next race.

There are a number of different events on this week in Whitehorse so if you are here in town, drop by to one or two and maybe we’ll see you there!

All week mushers will be crossing the finish line up at Takhiki Hot Springs (the finish line was moved on Monday evening due to the rapidly changing river conditions into town). The tracker has been updated to show the miles left to the new finish line so you can keep an eye on that to estimate arrival times.

Tuesday and Wednesday evenings is the World Premiere Screening of Red Letter Films’ documentary series Mushers: Conquering the Yukon Quest. See the flyer and media release (below) for more details. Allen, Hugh, Brent and Matt will be there taking part in a Q&A following the screenings.

All through the week are various presentations and films at “QuestFest” at the Frank Slims Building in Shipyards Park (by the finish line). Friday evening is the “Meet the Mushers” evening at the Mount MacIntyre Recreation Centre starting at 6.30pm. Come along and get your Quest poster or T-shirt signed and get a picture with your favorite mushers!

Saturday night is the Finisher’s Banquet at the Yukon Convention Centre. We’ll hear from each finishing musher and we are bound to hear some great stories from the trail!

See you there!

Wow! Thirteen dogs to the finish line and they were yelling and howling in the finish chute.

It was so exciting to be in the chute waiting for the team. Every couple minutes we would check the tracker and it moved excruciatingly slowly! They were making great time along the trail, it just seemed to us to take ages before we caught sight of them.

We were speculating who Allen would have in lead, none of us guessed Izzy! Izzy and Scout proudly trotted up the chute with giant Mismo and tiny Chipper in swing, Kodiak and Waylon, Scruggs and Schmoe, Dutch and Willie, Big Mac then Clyde and Commando.

Handler crew ready and waiting in the finish chute

The dogs enjoyed their thawed salmon and beef snacks and we almost lost some fingers in that manoeuvre! We took booties off and got a chance to really love on them all for a few minutes as Allen was asked some questions by the media. He said how excited he is about next year’s race because of the youngsters that finished today. He choked up a little bit while talking about Scout and how he’s been with him on every Quest he’s run. He’s a good boy!

The vet team did a check on every dog before we left the chute, they have been very vigilant in their care for the canine athletes in this race.

There was a heap of people out cheering them on and Brent (right) and the W&F crew came down to see the team come in.

Check out the Newsminer story and pictures from today’s finish line action.

Allen and Bridgett drove the team the short distance back to the truck, led by Mark, and we set to feeding them their three-kibble mix and the remainder of the meat snacks. Quite a crowd stood around watching and asking questions; it is so cool that so many people are becoming interested in the Quest!

At the same time we fed the 13, we dropped Felix out and gave him his dinner. Allen said “Felix, buddy, how’ve you been? It’s nice to see you boy!”

We frantically texted Aliy during events and Allen called her as soon as we got back to the truck. She can’t wait to see everyone again soon!

Bridgett then spent some time rubbing pink ointment into feet and algyval massaging joints then they were all ready to get into bed and sleep for a few hours until we get them out of the truck later tonight to relieve themselves and eat more meat.

After a long, hot shower and a good meal Allen is now relaxing and, my guess is that, any minute now will be asleep. We’re all in the same hotel room so he warned us that he is still on ‘checkpoint time’ and will wake up every couple hours and even start ski-poling and running in his sleep. I guess that will go on for a few days yet!

Tomorrow Bridgett and Mark will drive the dogs home to the kennel where Aliy has set up the dog barn waiting for them. Allen has some media and other engagements during the week including the Meet the Mushers on Friday evening and Finishers Banquet on Saturday. I’ll stay here with him. I’ll will use some of the ‘down time’ this week to get Allen’s dog-by-dog wrap-up of the race.

Izzy and Scout lead the team over the finish line

Izzy and Scout plus Mismo!

I’ll write some words soon. The dogs are fed, we’re feeding Allen and we’re all so happy! I’ll just say: how many dog teams howl at the finish line after 1000 miles? I know of one!!

Congratulations to our Black Team of Allen, Scout, Willie, Scruggs, Waylon, Schmoe, Mac, Mismo, Izzy, Clyde, Chipper, Kodiak, Dutch, Commando and Felix.

Throwback to the Black Team at the start line last Saturday

It’s been amazing to watch the six Quest rookies (Felix included) come of age in this super competitive 1000 mile race. We’ve made a lot of the fact Allen has a young team but it has been equally thrilling to see the ‘older hands’ continue their great race records with enthusiasm and professionalism.

We are heading down to the finish line at Shipyard Park in Whitehorse soon to welcome our best friends home. We have thawed some salmon and beef snacks and have a kibble meal ready and some cool, plain water; along with plenty of kisses, ear scratches and butt rubs on stand-by.

As I write this we don’t know the final outcome yet but, regardless, congratulations to Hugh, Brent and Matt for making this an exciting and fascinating race to follow to the end. You all have extraordinary dog teams and to have been close-up to see them first-hand has been a pleasure. We’ve also enjoyed the company and banter of all the other handler teams along the way.

I’ll be back as soon as we have seen to the team with some pics and a report from the finish line. Keep watch on the Yukon Quest Facebook Page for pics and stories until then!

Local Whitehorse radio station CKRW will be broadcasting live from the finish – listen here.

In the meantime, enjoy these pics of the handlers. We’re looking forward to a full night sleep also!

Woohoo! Run like the wind! And not like a light zephyr but a strong, storm force wind! We can’t wait to see you at the finish line.

We said goodbye to Allen and his 13 team mates at 3.33am when they trotted off into the night on their final 95-100 mile run into Whitehorse. As expected, it was a little stop-start out of the chute as a few dogs decided they needed to pee, one after the other, but they got on the trail and are moving nicely now.

Earlier this morning Allen got up after a good, long sleep, had eggs for breakfast then went out to tend to his team. The routine for an 8 hour rest is a little different to a regular checkpoint in that he took extra time to walk each dog around for a while and give them a massage to warm up their muscles, giving them a chance to stretch out and empty their bowels and bladders (not all of them took that opportunity and decided the exit chute was the place to do it). After 8 hours the dogs can start to stiffen up a bit, much like we would in the same situation.

He also gave them another big, hearty meal and packed his sled, double checking he had all his mandatory gear and enough snacks and food to sustain them for the long run ahead.

While he was getting the team ready, both Brent and Matt were outside tending to their dogs also. All three men are fiercely competitive yet took the opportunity to wish each other well and share a few jokes. Matt told them he felt like an old man and Allen quipped back, “well, that’s good ‘cos I feel young”. Brent laughed and said “I’m right in between.”

The few of us that were out there with them were treated to an aurora show of white dancing light. Pretty impressive!

Allen was excited to get on the trail and give this team one more run. We figure now is the time for a rallying cry! Aliy recorded this in Dawson and it seems appropriate now so turn up the volume and enjoy!

The handler crew is having one last meal here at Braeburn Lodge before we head to Whitehorse to set up for their arrival this afternoon. Thanks to the wonderful team at the Lodge for being so welcoming and accommodating: cooking eggs at 1am, burgers at breakfast time, keeping the coffee topped up… and all with smiles on their faces. If you are passing through, make sure you stop by.

We were so happy to see the team pull in to Braeburn at 7.33pm. They are currently sitting in third position, about three hours behind Hugh, just over 20 minutes behind Brent and only 90 minutes in front of Matt.

We could see the teams coming on the nearby ridge so it was exciting to catch a glimpse of Allen’s headlamp as they came down the hill.

They pulled into the checkpoint and Allen was immediately engulfed in the media scrum while the dogs waited patiently to be let go to their parking spot. When he said “you ready?” they all jumped up and Schmoe (of course, Schmoe) and Mac yelled.

He pulled in with Mismo and Scout in lead, Chipper had been in lead for a while but ended up in Swing with Waylon. Kodiak was running with I.Z.Z.Y. and the rest of the lineup of Schmoe and Scruggs, Willie and Dutch and Clyde with Commando in wheel remains unchanged.

Once in their parking spot Allen gave them all a bunch of snacks and some kibble and plain water and they all ate like hungry hogs! It’s a great sign at this stage of the race. They even pulled the hook a couple times and had the energy to covet each other’s snacks! He then de-bootied and bed them down for their nice long rest here. They will get another big kibble and meaty/watery meal before they leave.

The teams are parked fairly closely together in the order they came in with Hugh’s team closest to the exit chute, then Brent’s team and ours. Matt will slot in alongside them ready for the race to the finish tomorrow.

This checkpoint is another opportunity for the vet team to do a thorough and meticulous check of every dog. They spend a lot of time looking through every foot (that’s 52 feet), listening to their hearts and lungs, checking hydration status and mobility of wrists and shoulders. They take such care of our canine friends and we so appreciate having them available to us.

Allen is now in the lodge eating one the of the plate-sized bacon-cheese burgers. Most of us, when we see the burger, say “Wow!” – Allen said “I could probably eat two of those!”

Allen told us the trail was pretty much as he expected. The heat is the biggest issue, as it has been for the last few days, but the dogs are coping okay with it. Even Mac who doesn’t always excel in warmer weather is doing well.

He’s really proud of Commando! He was wavering about taking him on the race as a two year old but he’s done 900 miles of a competitive race with just 100 left to go. It had been a bit hard on him mentally but he’s doing so well and still pulling.

So far, Allen thinks Scout has been the strongest dog. He keeps putting him back in lead and Scout is steady and reliable. This is Scout’s sixth Yukon Quest so he certainly knows the way!

We’ve been frantically texting to and fro with Aliy with updates as cell coverage is limited. She said she has been circling for the last couple of hours trying not to hit refresh constantly. She is happy and relieved they are in and can now enjoy eight hours of rest here. She’s also happy the Iditarod drop bags are completed ready to be turned in tomorrow!!

The team and Allen will enjoy their break here and leave for the finish line at 3.33am!

Nap time now for everyone.