SPK Dog Log

Since the Black Team left us in Dawson at 9.18pm on Wednesday we have been somewhat incommunicado. You all have likely known more about what was going on that we did!

What we know is that Allen and his team mates took their mandatory six hour rest in Eagle and left at 4.58am this morning with all 14 dogs still on the line. Right now they are resting at Trout Creek Hospitality Stop, enjoying a rest in the heat of the day before continuing on to Circle City.

Meghan and Mark are on their way to Circle to greet them.

The Black Team about five hours from Eagle (photo: Codie Malloy)

Our drive home was long; and it felt even longer as most of it was during darkness. We did get treated with sightings of some exciting wildlife: wolf, lynx, moose, bunnies and squirrels!

All the Red Team dogs are very happy to be home and at their houses. We’ll do a Red Team YQ300 wrap-up soon. Until then, have a guess who Aliy’s MVD was – see if you get it right!

As the Black Team heads towards Circle checkpoint, let’s go back 48-odd hours to see the dogs resting in camp at Dawson.

IT was about 15 hours into their break and everyone had just been up for a meal and a stretch out jog, had received a massage and kisses and they were about to be covered up with their fleece and/or insulated blankets for some more sleep.

Doesn’t it look peaceful?

If you are interested in knowing more about our camp – take a look back at the previous two years: 2014 and 2013 Dawson Dog Camps

After Allen and the Black Team left Dawson last night, Aliy, Ray, Spenser and Moira all got a good night sleep before packing up the Dog Camp and heading off on the long ride back to Fairbanks.  They will make a quick stop in Whitehorse before starting the 12 hour drive home.  Moira has some great video to share and will get that up as soon as they get home. 

The black team is making their way to Eagle right now.  As we get more information, I’ll get it up for you.
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We sent Allen, Quito and Scout, Izzy and Chica, Schmoe and Sissy, Mac and Waylon, Outlaw and Chemo, Nacho and Scooter, and Willie and Clyde into the night, right on time at 9.18pm. They all looked happy and healthy and were excited to head down the trail.

Phew – we are happy to get them off safely but looking forward to seeing them again in Circle – some 225-odd miles from Dawson. The teams have a compulsory stop in Eagle but in the winter, it is not on the road system so the next time we can catch up with them is Circle City.

We’re going to sleep now. Will tear down camp in the morning then start the trek back to Two Rivers where we will deploy a handler team up to Circle.

During the Dawson layover handlers are allowed to make any necessary sled repairs to the musher’s sled. This one of Ray’s many responsibilities while we are here.

I followed him to the RCMP workshop to find out what he does.

The Black Team crossed the line in Dawson at 9.18pm looking absolutely fantastic. They were animated, had wagging tails and eagerly ate up their thawed steaks in front of a crowd of media and onlookers.

Allen himself was great! But, I’m quite certain he will be looking forward to a sleep.

The run/rest schedule Allen has run thus far looks to have paid off as the dogs still were perky and had good energy. Remember, they have 24 hours here in Dawson, not 36 as they have in previous years. There are 12 fewer hours to rest and recharge.

What happens now? Aliy took over the team and mushed them across the river to the campground where Spencer (who got a lift by truck) was waiting for them with a big warm meal. Aliy and Spencer then undressed the dogs of all their coats and harnesses etc. The veterinarian team will do their thorough dog-by-dog check on them before the dogs settle for a rest.

At various intervals throughout the night and tomorrow we will walk, feed, massage them etc. It’s important to get lots of calories into them so they are primed ready to go the next 500 miles.

As far as Allen goes, Ray whisked him immediately off to the truck to change into some dry clothes. He will head over to the camp for the vet checks then we’ll get some food into him before he catches some sleep. He will need no rocking tonight!!

Ray then takes Allen’s sled to the RCMP facilities where he will thaw it out, check it out for any necessary repairs and get it ready for Allen to pack up in 22-odd hours from now.

Check out the Yukon Quest Facebook page for good pics and video of the team’s arrival. I have some footage and will get something up as soon as I can.

After a short nap and some hot breakfast and coffee – lots and lots of coffee – the handler crew of Ray, Aliy, Spencer and picked up our drop bags and straw from the lovely volunteers at the checkpoint HQ then drove over the Yukon River ice bridge to the campground so we could set up camp.

The rules are specific about what kind of shelter we can set up for the dogs so we string up rope from tree to tree and stretch the biggest tarpaulin you’ll ever see over it. The shelter must be open ended and have enough room for the veterinarians to get inside and complete their dog checks. Inside the shelter are the drop lines where we will hook up the dogs and two whole bales of straw are set up ready for them to snuggle in.

We have all the dog food kibble and snacks we could want and we spent time organising it and laying it all out to make dispensing it easy when the time comes.

We also set up an arctic oven tent with a heater so when Spencer spends the night he doesn’t freeze! We’ll show you around the camp after our guests have arrived.

Before; check out our awesome view across the river!

Our completed campsite/doggie hotel

Right now we will nap some more then we expect the team to arrive later this afternoon/this evening. From the time they cross the line and check in it is all hands on deck. Aliy and Spencer will take over dog-care, with a meticulously planned timetable of food, sleep, stretch-out walks, massage and love. Ray will take of Allen-care and sled-care. I will float between the two doing what else needs doing and keeping you up-to-date with it all.

We also have the Red Team here with us in Dawson. They may not go into the camp with us but we have a schedule set of for them also that includes pretty much the same thing as the Black Team only they will be based on the truck.

We are excited to see the team later today! It will have been a long time since we caught sight of them leaving Pelly. For Aliy the last time she saw them was in Carmacks on, what was it, Sunday? I’ve lost track!

Congratulations Aliy, Beemer, Olivia, Junior, Lydia, Kodiak, Dutch, Felix, Mismo, Nelson, Chipper, Sandy and Wedgy! They finished the Yukon Quest 300 in second position at 1.30am Tuesday, with a race time of 57 hours, 36 minutes.

Congratulations to Michelle Phillips, a deserved win with an awesome team! Also to Alex Serdjukov, who at the time of writing is the only other musher to finish, so far.

It was cold out there on the Pelly River and Aliy was happy to be home. The dogs went straight to the truck, ate a huge meal and are now happily sleeping for the next few hours.

The handler team has just arrived in Dawson and we will sleep short and fast, caffinate then set up camp for our Black Team athletes.

More soon!