SPK Dog Log

Aliy was the first musher to pass through Hal Morgan’s Cabin, a stop/go checkpoint along the trail, at 10:38pm. Ryne wasn’t far behind at 10:48pm. We assume they stopped for a short rest somewhere along the trail between Nowhere Checkpoint and Morgan’s cabin. Both seem to be doing fine, and are the first mushers to push up the trail to Kershner’s cabin. We expect them to arrive at Kershner’s around 12:30-1:00 AM, to begin their mandatory 6 hour rest.
We’ll update you when they check out of Kershner’s and hit the trail again.

Aliy and Ryne raced through the Nowhere checkpoint on their first leg of the race. Aliy and Dallas Seavey were the first to show up at the checkpoint, however looking at the standings board, Aliy and Ryne posted the fastest times on that stage of the race–2:48 and 2:57 respectively! Our SP Kennel teams are 1st and 2nd in this race after the first stage!
We are awaiting the next race report from the HAM radio operators. The mushers should reach “Hal Morgan’s Cabin” checkpoint around 7:15 local time–about 15 minutes from now. We’ll post the run times for our teams as soon as we know them.

Wes is driving the dog truck to the Kershner’s Cabin Checkpoint, where the mushers have a six hour layover.

Aliy with the Red Team and Ryne with the R&B team have departed Willow Lake, the starting point of the 2012 Don Bowers Memorial 300. It was a crisp -30 degrees during hook up but the sun is persistantly warming things up.

Aliy left with a team of 15 dogs with Beemer and Pud in Lead, Tony and Honda in Swing, and Viper and Bonita in Wheel.

Due to the ongoing debate in another post about the starting line up of Ryne’s R&B team, here is the full lineout.

Ranger-Stormy;

Kipper -Lester;

Butterscotch – Spicy;

Skittles – Rose;

Moonpie – Tug;

Mac – Chemo

Boris – Cutter

For the first time this season we won’t be the first to provide you with race updates. A couple of the checkpoints have no communication other than ham radio operators and they are going to be keeping everyone updated. We will relay information to you as soon as we get it.

We are going to see a slightly different tactic among mushers this race. There are reports of a very large number of moose in the area. Last night a cow and calf wandered right through the dog trucks in the parking area and made themselves at home infront of the Eagle Quest kitchen. Some mushers are informally agreeing to team up and travel in convoy in order to address any encounters as a group. We could see people checking in and out of checkpoints in groups.

Aliy goes out # 7!

Here are a few pictures of Aliy and Ryne on their way to the Race today. Check out the deep snow in Trapper Creek!

The Don Bowers 200/300 Sled Dog Race is new to the SP Kennel racing schedule. We are excited to race on some different trails and meet some new sled dog enthusiasts.