MARCH 10th IDITAROD

MARCH 10,2018

Weather is the problem today, snow and winds.

As of 2PM EST here are the standings:

INTO GRAYLING: 29 mushers with NIC PETIT at the lead
29 are in GRAYLING
5 in ANVIK
4 IN SHAGELUK
3 IN IDITAROD

MOST OF THE TOP RUNNER HAVE TAKEN THE MANDATORY 8 HOUR REST BUT THE BOTTOM HALF HAVE NOT.

THERE ARE STORMS BETWEEN IDITAROD AND SHAGELUK.
KELLY MAIXNER'S DOGS HAD TROUBLE, AT TIMES, FINDING THE TRAIL. HE EXPERIENCED BLIZZARD LIKE CONDITIONS.

EACH RACE HAS ITS OWN CHARACTER. THE CHARACTER OF IDITAROD XLVI IS
BEING REVEALED ON THE YUKON RIVER.

ON THE YUKON THE WEATHER IS HAVING A HUGE IMPACT ON THE RACE DUE TO THE LIMITED VISIBILITY , THE PLANES ARE NOT ABLE TO GET SUPPLIES INTO EAGLE ISLAND. MUSHER WILL HAVE TO CARRY SUPPLIES SUFFICIENT FOR THE RUN OF 122 MILES FROM GRAYLING TO KALTAG WHERE THEY CAN RESUPPLY. MANY ARE TAKING THEIR 8 HOUR MANDATORY AT GRAYLING DUE TO THE WEATHER.

SOME THOUGHTS ON FOOD FOR THE LONG RUNS: KIBBLE WILL BE LIGHTER AND CONTAIN MORE CALORIES THAN FROZEN MEAT. IN RACING, WEIGHT CARRIED TENDS TO EQUALIZE SPEED.  WEIGHT ISNT THE ONLY FACTOR, AS YOU CAN SEE, WIND AND SNOW CAN ALSO PLAY A ROLE.

THE INSIDER TEAM WHO BROADCASTS LIVE FROM THE CHECKPOINTS ARE ALSO NOT ABLE TO FLY SO THEY ARE STILL IN IDITAROD WITH THE TEACHER ON THE TRAIL.

ANVIK IS AT THE MOUTH OF THE ANVIK RIVER AND 34 MILES FROM HOLY CROSS.
HOLY CROSS!!!!!HANK SURE HAD A LONG WAY TO GO FOR COLLEGE!!!!
POPULATION HERE IS 104. IT IS HOME TO THE DEG HIT'AN PEOPLE. ANVIK IS YUP'IK
MEANING EXIT.

EAGLE ISLAND IS TRULY AN ISLAND AND A TENT CAMP. NO POPULATION HERE, JUST A CHECKPOINT FOR THE RACERS.

THE VOLUNTEERS ARE TRULY A DEDICATED AND INTERESTING GROUP OF PEOPLE
(WELL, HANK AND I WERE VOLUNTEERS AND ALL I CAN SAY IT WAS FUN AND EXCITING).  THERE ARE SO MANY AREAS TO VOLUNTEER AND EACH ONE IS JUST A GREAT EXPERIENCE. ANYONE CAN VOLUNTEER.