Bridgett is watching Allen crisscross down Eagle Summit as we speak. I am sure he will rest at 101.
Photos of Allen arriving in Central
These are photos of Allen arriving in Central today. Hard to believe there was a whiteout not 7 miles away!
Allen Arriving in Central
By the Yukon Quest
From Official Yukon Quest Flickr Page
Allen Arriving in Central
By the Yukon Quest
From Official Yukon Quest Flickr Page
Allen Arriving in Central
By the Yukon Quest
From Official Yukon Quest Flickr Page
Allen Arriving in Central
By the Yukon Quest
From Official Yukon Quest Flickr Page
Race Takes Some Serious Turns
The last 24 hours has been very rough on the racers and changed the entire outlook of the Quest. If you have been following the Quest on Facebook, you know how scary it got for a bit.
Hugh Neff left Central at 4 am this morning. They sent out snowmachines to look for him at about 5 pm when he hadn’t yet reached the 101 Dog Drop. The summit was reported as clear for short periods of time and then fierce blowing winds. Temperatures were bitterly cold through out the day.
Dan Kaduce, who was the next musher to leave Central, ran into problems as well. He and Hugh were found at the treeline just before the summit, but indicated that they were okay and about to attempt the summit again. They did, but both teams turned back around, refusing to continue up Eagle Summit. Sebastian Schnuelle said that when he passed them, Hugh laughed and said, “I knew it would be you!” When Ken Anderson passed them, he tried to help get Hugh’s team over the summit, but again, they turned around.
Ok, as I was writing this Bridgett called. It gets even crazier. First the good news. Allen looks fabulous. The team looks great. He is heading out as I am writing this. He did have to drop Viper as we thought. There is a window right now with the weather. Although it is still cold, the wind is calm over Eagle Summit and down towards Central. Allen is gunning for that window.
The crazy news is that it was Bridgett that helped Dan Kaduce when he arrived back in Central. He had waved down a car on the Steese Highway to get back to Central. A judge and a vet used the SP Kennel truck to head back to where Dan had staked out his team along the road. They picked up Dan’s team, Hugh and Hugh’s team and took them to 101. To put this in context, any outside assistance withdraws you from the race. In order for two VERY tough men and two teams of VERY tough Alaskan Huskies to ask for help, it had to be a life or death matter. All we can say at the moment is that both mushers are safe and they and their dogs are in 101.
Back to the race, Sebastian is still resting at 101 after being the first musher to make the summit. Ken Anderson went through at about 8 pm AST and then Dallas Seavey went through about 9 pm AST. The rumor, though not released by the Quest, is that Ken forgot to sign out of 101, which, if true, would be a 2 hour penalty.
As the Quest Turns!
Central, Alaska
This seems so insignificant with everything going on, but here it is for those who are interested.
Central, Alaska was built around the road house Central House, built in 1894. It was the way point between Circle and the mining operations at Mammoth, Mastodon, Preacher and Birch creeks. Central was a small community supporting the miners in the area. In 1906, a wagon road was started from Circle. In 1927, the road was completed to Fairbanks. This road has become the Steese Highway.
Mining is still the main industry in the Central area. After World War II, mining declined, but in the Mid-70s, Central and the Circle Mining District had the most active mines in Alaska. Today, about 130 people live in the area.
Allen arrives in Central
Allen arrived at Central at 3:25 pm AST, happy and healthy! I can’t tell you how elated I was to get Bridgett’s call. She said that the team actually look better arriving in Central than leaving Circle.
The trail was as bad as we had heard! Allen and Kelly Griffin worked together to get through the deep overflow and blown trail. The key to getting around the overflow? Necklines for the dogs. We don’t usually use them and only have them on the Quest because they are required gear. Also, Allen put bags over his boots. It actually kept his feet completely dry. It was key that he went through the worst during daylight hours.
Sebastian Schnuelle’s Boot at Central
after Rescueing Hans Gatt
By the Yukon Quest
From Official Yukon Quest Flickr Page
He is planning to give the dogs a good long rest in Central before heading for Eagle Summit. Allen said that it was “near whiteout conditions 7 miles out of Central, so ahead must be bad.” The road to Circle and Central was closed for several hours today. It was completely blown in. The road is less than a 1/4 mile from the trail’s summit. Eagle Summit is extremely tough at good times. It will be VERY challenging now.
Allen will be dropping Viper in Central . We don’t know why yet. Aliy and Ryne are on there way to Central now. They really want to see Allen and the Dog.
Allen and Dogs Safely in Central
Mobile Update: Bridgett just called. Allen is into Central and he and the dogs look GREAT! She says they look better than when he left Circle. More soon.
Allen on Trail to Central / Videos from Circle
We are waiting for Allen’s arrival at Central. Reports on the trail have it VERY rough. Overflow and bitterly cold temperatures are the biggest obstacles during this section of the trail. Hans Gatt had another very hard run into Central, but he seems to be alright. The trail is slow, but now it is daylight. Allen will be able to see. A huge advantage!
Here are two videos of Allen from Circle. The 1st is him coming in and the second is an interview. It is difficult to hear Allen’s voice.
By the Yukon Quest
From Official Yukon Quest YouTube Page
By the Yukon Quest
From Official Yukon Quest YouTube Page
Allen Out of Circle
Allen left Circle at 7:48 pm AST with 11 dogs. Bridgett was very pleased with the attitude of the dogs and the musher as they pulled out. Nothing like 8 hours of rest, some good food and a place to warm up to lift the spirits. Allen is planning to stop on his way to Central, probably arriving some time mid-morning.
Allen & Black Team At Circle
By the Yukon Quest
From Official Yukon Quest Flickr Page
The report on the dogs is that Biscuit is STILL in lead and is as crazy as ever. Nacho had great energy leaving, wagging his tail and just ready to go. Quito and Meg are 100 percent there. A very nice looking team leaving Circle.
Allen & Black Team At Circle
By the Yukon Quest
From Official Yukon Quest Flickr Page
Allen had dropped Rambler at Slavens for a bicep problem. Rambler flew in earlier today and is now with Bridgett. Allen also dropped Beemer before leaving Circle, but not for any major issue. He was just tired. Both dogs are eating well and are currently curled up in the dog boxes.
Allen & Black Team At Circle
By the Yukon Quest
From Official Yukon Quest Flickr Page
Tonight will be very cold for Allen. It is currently 42 below here and colder in Circle and colder still on the rivers. The most amazing comment to me that Allen made was that he was “warm.” He is a tough man!
Allen & Black Team At Circle
By the Yukon Quest
From Official Yukon Quest Flickr Page
On the home front, Ryne, Aliy and I just finished closing up the Iditarod Food Drop Bags. Everything is ready to be dropped off at the shipping company tomorrow morning. We will let you know how many pound both Aliy and Allen are sending out on the trail. Anyone want to guess?
Allen & Black Team At Circle
By the Yukon Quest
From Official Yukon Quest Flickr Page
There are so many great pictures of Allen and the dogs on the Yukon Quest YouTube Page. You can see them at http://www.flickr.com/photos/yukonquest/.