The handler crew has just arrived into Pelly Crossing checkpoint and we are going to get some rest before the teams come in later this morning or early this afternoon.
In the meantime check out this interview.
Clyde found time in his busy Dawson schedule to answer a few questions from Aliy about how the race has gone so far.
Watch for the out-take at the end as he literally falls asleep mid-question.
Allen and the Black Team left Dawson at 2.19am. Leading the team out was Kodiak and Mismo with Scout and Waylon in swing, Chipper and Izzy will run this next leg together followed by Schmoe and Scruggs; Dutch and Willie partner up, and Mac took his place alone on the line. Clyde and Commando bring up the rear in the wheel position.
In this video you’ll see them leaving the camp spot with both Allen and Aliy on the sled as they make their way out to the checkout point. Allen’s mandatory gear was checked then they were sent on their way.
We got Allen and 13 of his team mates on their way to Pelly Crossing right on time and rearing to go.
The great news is we have 13 fantastic, strong, healthy and enthusiastic dogs on the trail with Allen!
Unfortunately Felix is still with us.
He came into Dawson looking great but he didn’t eat as well as everyone else during the layover. He had a bit of a runny bum (not the technical term) and as departure time got closer it was clear he wasn’t feeling 100%. We just ran out of time to get him over it completely.
He needs a couple more days rest, hydration and medicine but it is something we expect him to get over very quickly. Allen decided it was in Felix’s best interest to do the rest of the race in the truck.
Allen is very fond of Felix and will miss him on the team.
We don’t see the team now for a long time as they travel the 200-odd miles to Pelly. All we will see is the bouncing dog on the tracker so will be hitting refresh repeatedly!
We are catching some sleep now and will break camp down tomorrow. Thanks for waiting up with us!
It’s T minus three hours! Allen and the Black Team will pull the hook at 2.19am (local time). Brent Sass and his team leaves a hair under two hours ahead and Hugh Neff half an hour after Allen. Matt Hall and Ed Hopkins also leave just a few hours behind.
Right now in Dawson it is 18F and there had been snow falling for at least 24 hours but it has now cleared a little. It’s been a lot warmer this year than last which is great for the dogs while resting to stretch out when sleeping to ease their muscles and relax. It’s not so great for the dogs running though as they would prefer a little colder.
Allen is about to head over to camp to start packing his sled and gearing up for the 200-odd mile run into Pelly Crossing. He will ensure he has enough dog food and snacks to feed meals along the way. He’ll need human food also, and enough fuel for his cooker to make dog and human water to keep them all hydrated. It’s so warm right now so hydration is important. Spare clothing and equipment for both musher and dogs is critical on such a long run because, as we know on the Quest, anything can happen and they must have contingency plans in place.
We will help gear the dogs up by dressing them in T-shirts and/or jackets if needed, booties and harnesses. At around T minus 15 minutes they will leave the camp spot and make their way down to the opposite end of the camp ground to sign-out and go.
As the run is over 200 miles they will need to stop between Dawson and Pelly – at this stage we don’t know whether Allen will ask his team to do it in two runs or three. Historically he has run it in three but he could mix it up a bit this year. Who knows? (Well, actually, we do know but we ain’t gonna share that piece of strategic information!)
About halfway along the trail to Pelly Crossing is Scroggy Creek. Scroggy is a dog drop stop manned by volunteers and vets and there won’t be recorded times in and out as it is not an official checkpoint. Allen described Scroggy as an “8′ x 8′ uninsulated plywood cabin with a wood stove”. It’s an important milestone for the mushers to know they are almost halfway to Pelly! Any dogs left there will make their way forward to be picked up by the handler teams. The teams then get to Stepping Stone hospitality stop – famous for their creative signage and good food; then onto Pelly.
Earlier today there was a myriad of tasks to be completed. Mark was in charge of ensuring the sled was ready and all the gear dried out. Bridgett and Aliy have been mostly in charge of the dogs with help from Mark and I. As you will have seen, I’ve been in charge of letting y’all know what’s been going on. The Dogs’ and Allen’s job today was to sleep and eat.
The town is really getting behind the race, as it does every year. This evening there is a city bonfire to celebrate the race and there are lots of people out and about to watch the first bunch of mushers leave. We are excited to get the team back on the trail this morning. I’ll be back briefly after they’ve left to update you.
As promised – this video shows you around the Dawson Dog Camp!
We all sat down for breakfast together and caught up with Allen where he told us some stories of his trip so far.
I think the main thing on many mushers’ minds when they arrived into Dawson was the extra “hill” they had to climb. Allen said he must have misunderstood the trail report when they were told they had AN extra climb over A hill. Turns out it was about 50 miles of UP. He said he kept wondering at what point there was going to be some downhill!
When we look at the tracker elevation map of the whole race (below) you can see the obvious peaks: Rosebud and Eagle Summit at the start, American Summit is next, the BIG wide one is the Clinton Creek “hill” right before Dawson. After Dawson you’ll see King Solomon’s Dome which, up until this race, was the highest peak they climb then it is followed by the Black Hills.
Elevation map of the whole race
When you see the elevation map expanded you can see the nature of their additional climb. For much of the time they are travelling along the Top of the World Highway and Allen said it is so far up – you are above the treeline and higher than everything else around! So, I think all the mushers and dogs will be pretty happy to get that climb behind them and have 36 hours of rest!
A closer look at the Clinton Creek Hill
Along the top of the ridge when the Black Team went by, evidently there were some Caribou on the trail. Allen said as soon as Mac saw them he went completely crazy! He started barking and lunging and the whole team perked up and flew along the road for a few miles chasing them. “If only they’d seen that 20 miles earlier” Allen quipped.
You may have seen the Newsminer article that told us Allen broke his handlebar just before Eagle. He said that they had been travelling on jumble ice for miles and miles with the sled crashing and banging all the way. On the very last ‘jumble’ before Eagle the handlebar broke so he had to navigate his way into Eagle without one. He was able to fix it at the checkpoint well enough to carry on to Dawson. Mark was on hand to reinforce the fix once he got his hands on the sled in Dawson.
Over breakfast Allen told us about his scenic excursion through Eagle.
We tell you about the dogs and how and what they eat on the trail but what about the musher? Allen works incredibly hard behind the sled ski-poling and running up hills that he burns a lot of calories also. He was talking to Bridgett and I last evening about how hungry he is right now.
On the trail he eats oatmeal bars, nuts and bacon as snacks then freeze dried meals or seam-sealed “proper” meals for a bigger meal. Once at a checkpoint, however, he will eat all the food he never eats at home: burgers and sandwiches and more burgers… and he said at this point he is always hungry. Aliy and Allen are very strict and regimented with their diets during the year but when racing Allen he can and will eat anything. And he doesn’t put on weight.
Bridgett and I thought that sounded like the perfect scenario so Allen suggested we could do it too “just run up Rosebud, Eagle Summit, American Summit and Clinton Creek Hill and that’ll do it!” Thanks Allen, but I think I’m okay.
I have two videos for you!
The first is the team crossing the line and Aliy mushing the team literally right into their tent! (NOTE: the little red spots on the ground in the finish chute is salmon roe from the thawed fish snacks they got at the finish – it looks pretty gruesome!)
The second is the audio Bridgett captured as they crossed the line combined with some fantastic photos from Jen Nelson and Urs Wyss. You can hear Allen’s mandatory gear check by Janice the volunteer checker, his passport check by the officials, then he answers some questions from the press nearby. Listen for when Aliy tells him she’s going to take the team and you’ll hear Mac and Schmoe start screaming to go again!
NOTE: The first minute or so is a little quiet but it gets louder.
Also: Head over to the Yukon Quest Facebook page for more arrival videos!
As at all checkpoints, the old adage “hurry up and wait” definitely applies to Dawson. After the drive over and setting up camp all we could do next was wait and prepare. We all got a really good night sleep, especially Aliy who hadn’t stopped since Friday night before her race.
This morning we refined our plans – planning is an essential part of the 36 hour layover. Who is doing what and when are we doing it? We prepared a meal for the dogs, got a change of clothes, a meal and thermos of water ready for Allen then waited…
With the change in route the teams didn’t come down the river like ‘normal’, rather they came down the road so we caught sight of them just over the other side of the river. It was thrilling to see them after a couple of days! They trotted down Front Street with Mismo and Scout in lead and all of them looking fantastic! They quickly gobbled down their thawed salmon snacks Mark had on hand.
Allen had his mandatory gear checked then Customs and Immigration officers checked his passport and did their immigration duties right there in the chute. Aliy took the team over from him and mushed them back over the river to camp while Allen answered a few questions from reporters.
I met Aliy and the team over at camp and we both set to and removed harnesses, booties and jackets while the others made their way over from town. Next was the compulsory and thorough veterinarian check of all the dogs while we fed and rubbed them down, and gave them fresh jackets and fleece blankets. One by one they settled into their straw beds and are now fast asleep, stretched out in their warm, cozy accommodations.
Allen is also fast asleep, stretched out in his warm, cozy accommodations.
I have video and pics to edit and will get them to you soon.
We are so happy they are here and looking great!
