SPK Dog Log

It’s 9.30pm Wednesday.

BLACK TEAM UPDATE

Allen and his 15 team mates have pulled in to White Mountain at 8.34pm tonight. The earliest they can leave is 4:34am tomorrow morning.

Depending on what the Weather Gods throw at them tomorrow we should be expecting them mid to late afternoon tomorrow.

The eight hour checkpoint routine includes a couple of big meals and plenty of hydration. Aliy said that the cold weather combined with wind, hydration is really important for the dogs so Allen will ensure their meals are watery and they eat lots of fish snacks (these have more moisture than, say, beef or poultry skins). Allen will also get a chance to have 3-4 hours sleep at the checkpoint and, no doubt, spend some time talking with the other mushers around him.

Along with teaching a young team to run to Nome, one of Allen’s other favourite things about running the “second” team in this race is he gets a chance to enjoy the fellowship of the other mushers he might never normally get to spend time with. I know that several young mushers have learned a lot from Allen through the years and appreciate his wisdom on everything from dog care, to strategy and to life in general.

We are so excited to see everyone in Nome! One more sleepless night before we can rest our refresh finger until next season.

RED TEAM UPDATE

Everyone is sleeping.

RETURNED DOG UPDATE

Commando and Schmoe are with us in Nome. They made their way here today.

“Hi Chris, I just ran 900 miles! It’s nice to see you Schmoe

Hotshot is now out at Knik with Margie, Violet and Woody. He’s not a fan of being inside so he is happy outside with his own house and his mates nearby.

Kodiak, on the other hand, is enjoying some inside time in Anchorage with Linda and Midnight. He’s decided he’s the King.

Mismo and Champ are still enjoying the hospitality of the volunteers out on the trail. We’ll hopefully see them either in Anchorage or here tomorrow.

Aliy said Mismo was left in Koyuk due to a torn toenail. It is something that will heal just fine but he needed a few days rest to heal.

Congratulations Aliy, Junior, Izzy, Dutch, Amber, Spark, Rodney, Driver, Iron, Felix for crossing under the burled arch in Nome in 8th position. And to Kodiak, Violet, Commando, Woody, Mismo, Schmoe and Champ who helped them get there.

We’re so proud of their strong finish and they looked super coming up Front Street to the cheers of the crowd. It’s always an emotional time to see your team finish any race, and to see them look so good is thrilling.

Near the road crossing five miles from town

Near the road crossing five miles from town

Near the road crossing five miles from town

Finish chute

Dutch and Spark lead the team in (Photo: Sheryll Cornforth)

Finish Line Love

Official stuff

The crew waits; Kisses from Spark

Izzy; Rodney and Felix watch for the snack bucket

Bridgett and Chris take the team to the dog lot (Photo Sheryll Cornforth)

Enjoying a huge meal (Photo Sheryll Cornforth)

Iron has his vet examination; Nighty-night Rodney

Everyone is sleeping. Check back soon for some video and tomorrow for dog lot pictures.

Well this sure is exciting viewing!

Aliy, Spark, Dutch, Amber, Junior, Rodney, Iron, Driver, Felix and Izzy are through Safety checkpoint and are just 22 miles from Nome!

She and Pete Kaiser are literally breathing down each others necks and, because the trackers are not synched up, it’s really difficult to know who’s got the edge at any given moment. At Safety checkpoint they were one minute apart with the Red Team in front by a nose in 8th position.

We all are about to head down to the dog lot to set up for our athletes. We’ll set up their kennels, line them with fresh straw and lay out warm fleece jackets and cozy blankets. We’ll thaw out some fish and beef snacks for the finish line and prepare a tasty meal.

A few of us will head up the road to the road crossing to catch them about five miles from home and silently cheer them as they go by.

One of the most thrilling experiences is to hear the town siren announce their arrival as they get closer to the finish line. A police escort will greet them on Front Street as they come off the pack ice and they will make their way down to the chute.

Then, they cross under the burled arch finish line.

We’re so excited to see them. They’re nearly home to Nome!

Once they are officially checked in and welcomed we’ll drive the team the 100-odd yards to the dog lot where all the dogs will undergo a thorough veterinary examination. We’ll feed them, massage them, cuddle them and settle them into their temporary homes for a good long sleep. Aliy will head home, also for a good long sleep.

It may be a while before I can get anything up on the blog so keep an eye on our Instagram, Facebook or Twitter accounts as, depending on internet coverage, I will hopefully be able to post a few pictures directly there.

LET’S GO RED TEAM!

Aliy, Spark, Dutch, Amber, Junior, Rodney, Iron, Driver, Felix and Izzy left White Mountain right on time at 12.39am and are on their way home to Nome!

There is still some racing to be done and we will be watching closely as she and Peter Kaiser go head-to-head for the finish. Don’t discount those behind them also – a lot can happen in 77 miles as we well know! Teams have one more hill to climb, up and over Cape Nome then hug the coastline to Nome.

The wind between White Mountain and Nome is blowing hard currently. A few of the crew took snow machines to White Mountain this afternoon and reported they had to drive through some pretty bad weather to get home. We’re watching the weather forecast and hoping the report that the wind is supposed to decrease overnight is true.

BLACK TEAM UPDATE

In the meantime, Allen and his 15 team mates pulled in to Koyuk at 10.15pm. I’m not even gonna try to guess how long he will stay, I think I’ve got it wrong every time.

Hotshot is the dog that Allen left in Huslia; he simply got tired. It was the furtherest he had ever been in a race and Allen decided 500 miles was enough. Hotshot was Allen’s dog #16 and was chosen for his rookie Iditarod because of his enthusiasm but sometimes his enthusiasm can get the better of him and he uses all his energy up quickly. He’s had a good season, finishing strongly in the Yukon Quest 300 with Aliy.

He’s back in Anchorage with Linda and is feeling better already as he’s had three days rest since leaving the team on Saturday so he’s rearing to go! He’s experienced a bunch of new and interesting things on the way home and will have lots to tell his mates back home.

A few of our crew took snow machines to White Mountain this afternoon to see Aliy and the Red Team arrive. They were able to speak with Aliy for a short while before she went in for a nap, and caught up with who she still has on her team. They called by satellite phone before heading home, reception was poor but this is what I got:

Mismo was left behind in Koyuk yesterday. I didn’t catch the reason why and we’ll have to wait to see the vet paperwork that accompanies him home.

Schmoe stayed behind in Elim. He was fit and well right up until just before the checkpoint. Evidently there is a downhill somewhere just before town and he stepped badly and tweaked something on the way down.

Commando will finish his race in White Mountain. He worked and worked so hard for 900 miles he was simply tired. Aliy carried him for a while into the checkpoint and felt it was better for him to finish the race out of harness. He will be transported forwards to Nome hopefully tomorrow and be reunited with his team mates here.

We’re not certain at this stage whether Mismo and Schmoe will come forwards to Nome or go back to Anchorage. We believe the former but will wait and see tomorrow. There are a large number of dogs to be transported; if you think about it, if every team drops one dog, suddenly 60-odd dogs need transportation. Throw in some weather issues and the dogs can take a little while to get home. We will hopefully find out more tomorrow and let you know.

Allen and Aliy are always so sorry to leave anyone behind, they feel it keenly, but you know it is always the correct decision for the individual dogs and the team.

We’re really proud of Hotshot, Mismo, Schmoe and Commando. They’ve each had fantastic seasons and contributed greatly in this race. Good boys!

So, to catch you up – the Red Team is now Spark, Dutch, Amber, Junior, Rodney, Iron, Driver, Felix and Izzy. The Black Team is Chemo, Waylon, Chipper, Chena, Scout, Lydia, Scooter, Tinder, Olivia, Willie, Nomex, Five, Outlaw, Scooby and Clyde.

Kodiak is also now back with Linda in Anchorage. Kodiak was left in Huslia due to a shoulder injury and he’s certainly enjoying extra care and attention from Linda. Photos to follow.

Its 5pm Tuesday afternoon.

Congratulations to Mitch Seavey and his absolutely phenomenal dog team. Wow! Just, wow! We went down to the finish to see them cross the line and it really was impressive.

RED TEAM UPDATE

Aliy and her team arrived in to White Mountain at 4.39pm and are currently sitting in 9th position. She and Pete Kaiser have been neck and neck for a couple hundred miles; currently Pete holds the advantage by one minute. He is a good guy and Aliy will be enjoying the competition with him and his team, and it will be all on once they leave in the morning.

The teams must stop for eight hours in White Mountain which means the earliest the Red Team can leave is 12.39am Wednesday morning. Nome is another 77 miles from there.

BLACK TEAM UPDATE

The Black Team is resting at Shaktoolik having arrived at 12.40pm this afternoon. They’ll maybe rest for a couple more hours before heading out to the pack ice and Koyuk checkpoint, 50 miles away.

EDIT: So to prove that we have no idea what Allen is doing until he has done it – just as I hit “publish” he checked out of Shaktoolik with all 15 dogs.

It’s 10.30am Tuesday.

Sunrise in Nome

RED TEAM UPDATE

The Red Team pulled in to Elim at 7.40am this morning, with Pete Kaiser and Michelle Phillips hot on their tail. After a fast rest they pulled out again at 9.53am and are headed for White Mountain. Aliy left a team mate in Koyuk and one in Elim, we’ll let you know when we find out who they are.

The trail between Elim and White Mountain sees the teams pass through the village of Golovin. Don Bowers Jnr’s Trail Notes says of this part of the trail: “This is one of the more interesting legs on the race, with quite a variety of trail and terrain in a very short distance.”

Once in White Mountain there is a mandatory eight hour stop then they have their final run home to Nome. We are excited to see them some time late tomorrow morning/early afternoon. (We recalculate their estimated time of arrival at each checkpoint.)

BLACK TEAM UPDATE

Allen and 15 Black Team mates left Unk at 7.30am this morning after 8 hours, 15 minutes in the checkpoint. Allen will enjoy the sunrise as they travel up the coast.