SPK Dog Log

The team blew through Tolsona Resort checkpoint around 8pm on their way to the Crosswind Lake turnaround then arrived back at Tolsona at 11.20pm. Meghan said the run was good; there was some minor overflow that the team took in their stride and they are all still running strong. She’s really happy with how the team looks and with her run times.

She has snacked, massaged and bedded them down for a good rest under the full moon and she herself is sleeping now.

Meghan massages Lester; the team settles under the full moon

Meghan and 13 team mates left Lake Louise Lodge checkpoint after five hours of rest, this was all part of the plan to rest the team a little longer than the minimum required at that checkpoint so she actually left right on time! She allowed some time in her routine to give the dogs some loving!

Ranger and Meghan share some love; I.V. gets a kiss while Beemer and Viper look handsome

Tatfish gets in on the action while the young boys sing!

Meghan has left Tug-boat with me. Tug had some soreness in her wrist so to ensure no further injury, and after consulting with the race Veterinarian, Meghan decided to leave her to do the rest of the race in the truck with me.

The team is expected to pass through Tolsona Resort checkpoint shortly on their way out to Crosswind Lake and back.

The team arrived into Lake Louise Lodge checkpoint at 12.14pm looking great! Here all teams must take at least four hours rest plus their time differential to make up for the different starting times.

Meghan said the dogs are doing a fantastic job; Ranger is solid and confident and Beemer is a star as always. Felix and Nelson are doing well running with “the big dogs”. Everyone was feeling the warmth of the last few miles on the lake which was sheltered from the wind so she watered them all and gave them lots of watery fishy snacks. They are currently stretched out on their straw sleeping through the heat of the day. They will get their bigger kibble meal before setting out on the next leg to Tolsona.

Meghan said the trail conditions are “perfect”, if a bit “fast” and the trail markers have done an excellent job. She said the scenery was spectacular and it was really special to share such a beautiful sunrise with her team. She’s taking a rest herself now as she had a very early start and there is still a LONG way to go.

The team arrives to Lake Louise Lodge

Meghan removes booties from the team

Meghan and her R&Bs set off at 6.30am this morning from the Sheep Mountain Lodge bound for an adventure. Everyone, including Meghan was excited to get on the trail! Ranger (barking as usual) and Beemer lead the team out of the staging area and through the start gate before quickly disappearing down the trail. It was still dark as they left and it was just below zero with a cool wind and some light snow.

It soon dawned into a gorgeous day as the team passed through Eureka Lodge. The Lodge is not an official checkpoint for the 300 mile racers so we won’t get official times but she covered the 18 miles of trail in just under two hours. As she went passed she had a big grin and called out “They’re looking good!” I caught this on video and will upload as soon as I can.

The trail followed the road for a short way so I was able to catch her to get these pics and I heard a “Woohoo” as she went passed so it looks and sounds like they are all having fun!

The team has arrived at Sheep Mountain Lodge after a seven hour drive from Two Rivers; the conditions on the drive varied from snowy and blowy through the Alaska Range to clear and blue through the Glennallen area. Right now, as you can see from the pictures below, visibility here is limited but it is expected to clear for the race start tomorrow.

The dogs have had their dinner and will get fish snacks later this evening before getting a good night of rest. We have an early start in the morning to get the team ready for the 6am start!

Unsure when we will next get internet access but we will update you as soon as we can.

The team for the Sheep Mountain 300 is a real mixture of youth and experience!

Beemer and Ranger will lead the team out on Tuesday morning, followed by Boondocks and Rambler, Sissy and Viper, Lester and Chemo, Mac and I.V., yearlings Felix and Nelson with Tug and Tatfish in wheel.

Click here for the full team roster.

The team travel down to Sheep Mountain Lodge tomorrow ready for the 6am race start on Tuesday. We will update you as and when we can during the race.

The racing season is not over for SP Kennel!

Meghan and 14 SPK canine athletes will compete in the ‘Sheep Mountain 300’ race starting on Tuesday. Earlier in the season the Sheep Mountain 150 was cancelled due to snow conditions so Zack Steer and his team have put together a spring race around some of the most beautiful parts of interior Alaska. We’re excited to have another race on our calendar that you can follow along with us.

The route starts from the Sheep Mountain Lodge and teams will travel to Eureka Lodge and on to Lake Louise Lodge for a 4 hour minimum layover. After this rest they head to Tolsona Resort and then go out-and-back to Crosswind Lake and complete another minimum four hour layover back at Tolsona. Next they return to Lake Louise Lodge and go out-and-back via Susitna Lake and the Tyone River to a remote checkpoint where they have to camp along the trail for a minimum of four hours. They then return via Eureka Lodge to Sheep Mountain Lodge. Some of this trail was used for the Copper Basin 300 which Allen won earlier in the season.

We will post the team roster a little closer to the time; expect to see a mixture of youth and experience in the squad.

When Aliy was the first musher to reach the village of Grayling on the Yukon River she was presented with magnificent hand made beaver fur and moose hide beaded mitts locally made by Sue Nicholi.

Not only was it a beautiful and unexpected gift but take a listen to how the presentation of them might just have changed the course of Aliy’s race. She could not wipe the smile from her face from then on despite the challenging weather conditions!

Grayling: You Rock!