SPK Dog Log

Allen is racing down the Yukon River towards Dawson City and is currently in the lead. He is running about 10 miles ahead of Hugh Neff and it looks like Lance Mackey is still resting at 40 Mile. There is still 35 miles to go for the Black Team to reach Dawson and their 36 hour layover.

The Dog Camp in Dawson is ready!

Allen is resting on the trail on his way towards Dawson. He is still running in 3rd place. Lance and Hugh are resting a bit further down the trail. Luckily Hugh’s tracker is working again. They are expected into Dawson this evening.

Here are some pictures of Allen and the Black Team from the Official Quest Site.
For more photos, go to: http://www.flickr.com/photos/yukonquest

As expected, Allen arrived in Eagle with the front of the pack. He arrived at 2:40 pm AST about 30 minutes behind Lance Mackey and Hugh Neff. There is a mandatory 4 hour rest stop at the Eagle Checkpoint and Allen stayed just 5 minutes passed that time. Both Lance and Hugh stayed a total of 4 hours 30 minutes. The top 3 mushers then left in the order they arrived at 4:35, 4:37 & 4:45 pm respectively. Allen pulled the hook in 3rd position with all 13 dogs still running in the Black Team.

Althought Allen’s Spot Tracker has not updated since 4 am this morning, we know he left Slaven’s with all 13 dogs and is making his way to Eagle. It is just over 100 miles from the Slaven’s Dog Drop to the last Alaskan checkpoint, Eagle. There are no official Quest points, so the tracker is our only source of information during this stretch.

Allen arrived at Slaven’s Dog Drop at 5:10 AST and is currently resting there. He made it to the dog drop in third position behind Brent Sass and Hugh Neff. There is now a large group of Mushers camping there. The temperatures on the trail are still unseasonably warm, quite a difference from Allen’s run through this area last year.

There is an interesting shot of Allen’s patched sled at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/yukonquest/6828540987/

After leaving the Alaskan road system at the Athabaskan Village of Circle, the mushers head along the Yukon River towards the next checkpoint, Eagle. About a third of the way is the Slaven’s Roadhouse Dog Drop, always known for its wonderful hospitality.

“Located in Yukon-Charley National Parkand Perserve, Slaven’s Roadhouse is the oldest known roadhouse on the Alaskan river system. The National Park Service staff volunteers their time and hospitality to ensure the mushers and their teams have a comfortable rest on the long run to Eagle.” (Yukon Quest Website) Our friend Susan Holly is heading up the Park Service staff this year.

Allen will be back on the trail to Eagle this evening. Ryne and Bob are back from Circle and Central just crossing paths with the Dawson bound crew. Aliy, Ray and Wes left for Canada this afternoon. They are heading to Dawson to prepare a campsite for Allen and the dogs to use during their 36 hour manditory layover there.