Sunday, March 22, 2020

One last post on MARCH 22, 2020

ONE LAST POST ON MARCH 22, 2020

Just found two pictures you might like to see:


                                      I believe this is MARTIN BUSER the first of the ELIM 11 to come into
                                                                     NOME Early this morning    



This is KACI MURRINGER the last one of the ELIM 11 into NOME
THE RED LANTERN AWARD WINNER.




EVERYONE IS A WINNER THAT COMES UNDER THE ARCH

MARCH 22, 2020 cont'd again

MARCH 22, 2020 cont'd again

The last musher in : KACI MURRINGER captured the RED LANTERN AWARD.
The red lantern is a symbol of perservance for the Alaska tradition of the Iditarod. Its the final teams dedication to fullfilling their goal of safety and successfully crossing under the burled arch despite unexpected challenges. This year they did have many of those challenges.
Out of 57 mushers that started the race in WILLOW KACI was nmber 34 in the total number finished.
She finished at 4:30 EST 12:30 Alaska time today in 13 days 22 hours 29 min and 45 sec. with 10 happy dogs in harness.

FATHER DUCK --MARTIN BUSER was there, under the arch, to welcome his LASTTHE DUCKLINGS and MARTIN

 WE'LL REST NOW. TILL NEXT YEAR💘
duckling in

There was a man (much older) that was also crossing under the arch who had walked from
MCGRATH to NOME. Take a look---thats VERY FAR!!! Come on Deedee Lumb--next walk!!

ROBERT URBACH, CEO of the IDITAROD thanked everyone and wished a safe and quick end to this terrible outbreak.

We usually have photo's of the mushers, commentary etc but NOT THIS YEAR. Everyone is taking off for home. I can't blame them.

THANK YOU FOR A MEMORABLE IDITAROD. ALWAYS A HIGHLIGHT OF MY YEAR.

MARCH 22, 2020 cont'd

MARCH 22, 2020 cont'd

Just FYI:
The last musher KACI MURRINGER is still on the trail--about an hour out so I'll see if I can get a photo.
One of the ELIM 11 wrote on our chat page talking about their "adventure"!~!!!
"It has been a long tough trail up and down mountains across tundra and swamps and mud and slush but there was no real rush. The shelter we 11 came to stay at was ample enough for all of us in those dreary days. Then suddenly MARTIN BUSER got up and went to his sled, harnessed up all his puppies (he has a very young team--not his usual) and they were at the ready as all stood yapping and barking and singing a song that dog teams have been known for so very long. With his eternal twinkle in his eyes each sled got inspected and then with a shout he explained " "Follow me gang!
I'll get you all home, but I think it best if we stop first on Front St. in NOME!!"
THAT HE DID or is doing!!
He waited under the arch in NOME for all 10 behind him to welcome them. Just one left. He's waiting. So are we.

MARCH 22, 2020

MARCH 22, 2020

TODAY SHOULD BE THE LAST DAY FOR ALL THE MUSHERS TO ARRIVE IN NOME

As the sun doesn't come up until about 8 or 9am in Alaska, when MARTIN BUSER (1st of the ELIM 11) came in there were no big lites (they all went home) just flashlights to see him.
It still snowing in NOME but not as windy.
MARTIN BUSER came under the arch in 17days 6hrs 50min 5sec. The longest it has ever taken him. As you see, MARTIN must have taken the lead, as we expected, and gone out first to make certain the trail was good for those 10 behind him.
The "Mother Hen" will wait for his 10 ducklings under the arch to see that they are safe and accounted for. Good man MARTIN!!!!
RILEY DYCHE was next---missed him altogether
                                                                  WE'RE DONE!!
but I know he was warmly welcomed by MARTIN and the others there.
Next to come in MAGNUS KALTENBORN - couldn't see him either but MARTIN was there and I believe ALIY ZIRKLE was there as well to come him home.
Next was DEKE NAAKTGEBOREN ( The flying Dutchman). He was welcomed with open arms by MARTIN and others there. He smiled and spoke to "our camera" on the chat page. One of the few
that did that. He looked sweet, in a manly way!!
Next was DENNIS KANANOWICZ in 29th position. Now they are coming in very close to each other but still each given a warm welcome and recognition.
Next FABIO BERLUSCONI from ITALY. He said ?? in ITALIAN to our camera and smiled!! Thank you FABIO. I wonder if he speaks Italian to the dogs? A warm welcome.
The next two came in a few minutes apart.
First: LAURA NEESE then DAMON RAMAKER-- gee they sure looked young but very happy to be coming under that arch!! MARTIN and maybe ALIY were there to welcome the ducks home.
It has been a busy and snowy morning in NOME.
We know 15 min before a musher comes in as a siren blows in the town. Thats when the musher gets on "the ice", frozen Bering Sea, up over the hill on to Front Street and under the burled arch-NOME!!!
Sad that the mayor of NOME, RICHARD BENEVILLE was not able to be there due to the virus scare and his advanced etc. He is a REAL character. I remember meeting him--he is not forgotten easily!! He has been in the theater, which shows, and loves a crowd. He usually comes all dressed with a top hat and all to welcome everyone to NOME. I'm sure its a disappointment for both the crowds and him. A GREAT ENTHUSIASTIC  MAYOR!!!

Saturday, March 21, 2020

MARCH 21,2020 cont'd

MARCH 21, 2020 Cont'd

Just an up date on the ELIM ELEVEN.  7 are into WHITE MOUNTAIN safely. 4 left that are still running. They should be in soon.They cut a path for them coming into WHITE MOUNTAIN from the back side. Don't know how that was. Hope we'll find out. MARTIN BUSER was the first one into WHITE MOUNTAIN. Not sure if NIC PETIT is there. He got "stuck" between ELIM and WHITE MOUNTAIN. They brought him to a cabin there for some time This morning he went to WHITE MOUTAIN and we aren't sure if he waited for the rest of the ELIM ELEVEN or left. The eleven have to take their mandatory 8 hour rest. They have to go by the rules if they want to finish the race. Few pictures from previous days.            
                                                ALIY ZIRKLE thankiing her dogs after coming to NOME
                                   Some of ALIY ZIRKLE's friends waiting at the finish line for her
                                   A native woman in the crowd watching the winner come in
                      KELLY MAIZNER and his wife---a welcome home greeting
                      JEFF DEETER hugs his lead dogs after getting into NOME

MARCH 21, 2020

MARCH 21, 2020  Sorry  I have two pics here but can't seem to get rid of one....oh well


THESE ARE THE ELIM ELEVEN!!! As they are now known. They all left ELIM this am but can't track them as there is no communications there. I am so grateful they have MARTIN BUSER with them. He has done this race many times (and won 3 times) so he is better versed in these conditions than most. He is naturally a leader as well so I know he must have taken charge here. They are traveling together for safety sake which is a good thing. Remember I mentioned what one of the mushers said "I appreciate the camaraderie of the musher community". Here's where it shows.
I don't know if they will have them do the mandatory 8 hour rest in WHITE MOUNTAIN or not.
I'll let you know. I'm not going anywhere as is the case for all of us!!







Friday, March 20, 2020

MARCH 20, 2020 cont'd

MARCH 20, 2020 cont'd

The weather has caused deteriorating conditions. This morning at 9am Alaska Time 3 mushers left WHITE MOUNTAIN for NOME. MATT FALLOR, TOM KNOLMAYER and SEAN UNDERWOOD. They encountered very high winds and warm temperatures. This created a deep overflow of water on a section of the Iditarod Trail near SAFETY. As a result of those conditions, they activated their SOS beacons for help. They were rescued by helicopter to the hospital where they were evaluated and left there in good health and joined their dogs in NOME. Both dogs and mushers are now in good health. WHAT A DOG AND MUSHER DAY!!!
They are now reworking that section of the trail so the teams can safely proceed to NOME.  There are 11 left in ELIM. I believe, only heard from the chat room, that MARIN BUSER is one of the eleven in ELIM and he and his teams are staying in ELIM tonight waiting for a new trail. They still have 171 miles to go to NOME. Few stories they will have.
Due to so many changes in checkpoints, weather etc volunteers and personnel had to stay in some area long over their time so The Iditarod Committee left very few in the checkpoints from ELIM with no cameras and a skeleton crew in NOME. Many were anxious to get home to their families due to all the stress in the world from the COVID 19.Many were from Washinton State were there are many serious cases of the virus.  There is a camera in NOME so we will see footage of those 11  coming under the burled arch.
There are no cameras in ELIM so we won't be able to see THE ELEVEN until NOME.
    One of JESSIE ROYER making tracks to the dog yard in NOME.
                                    STILL ON THE TRAIL

MARCH 20. 2020

MARCH 29, 2020

Not sure how the storm is progressing today but from the looks of NOME its still extremely windy with some snow.
JESSICA KLEJKA made it to NOME last night but we couldn't see anything on the camera as the snow was on the lens and they couldn't clean it off fast enough.
Don't think I told you all this:
ROBERT BUNDTZEN scratched in ELIM. He had to receive outside assistance from 3 snowmachines. They brought him back to ELIM and they are all ok.
JASON CAMPEAU scratched in ELIM as well.
THEN THERE WERE 37 left
ALIY ZIRKLE into NOME but again couldn't do much with pictures due to the conditions. She said her memorable moments were: ONE FOR SURE!! CAPE NOME. She said the wind was so intense that she was glad the dogs could find markers. She also thought the kids in SHAKLOOLIK were a highlight. They were so enthusiastic, home made signs and it was a fun place to be.
RIGHT NOW at 12:30 PM EST 8AM Alaska time there are 14 teams that need to get to NOME.
11 of them are in ELIM (looks like they are waiting out the storm). Then they have to go on to
WHITE MOUNTAIN and take a mandatory 8 hour rest so don't know when they will ever get to NOME.                          AARON BURMEISTER feeding his dog after getting into NOME
                                 AARON BURMEISTER's wife giving him a welcome home kiss
            JOAR ULSOM taking his team down Front St. to the Burled arch in NOME
   BRENT SASS taking his dogs down the shute to the burled arch in NOME

Thursday, March 19, 2020

MARCH 19, 2020 cont'd

MARCH 19, 2020 cont'd

I still don't have any pictures as it is blowing so hard in NOME and there aren't many people around. I always remember, no matter what time mushers came in there was a crowd to welcome them. This year, due to the virus, they only allow the residents and Iditarod volunteers etc there. Very few to welcome the racers. Sad but  true.
LANCE MACKEY and TIM PAPPAS just arrived in NOME from SAFETY. Don't have any info or pictures yet. When I do, I'll post them.
Axton wants some doggie pictures so I'll go back in the files to get some:
              DOGGIE PICTURES: Last pic the Vets are checking the dogs.



MARCH 19, 2020

MARCH 19, 2020

WHITE OUT in NOME and surrounding area. Can't see any of the livefeed. The winds are 35mph, snowing. Some of the mushers left WHITE MOUNTAIN but can't figure where they are.
Since I wrote, 3 more mushers have scratched.
KARIN HENDRICKSON scratched in SHAKTOOLIK with 9 dogs. She said in the best interest of the team. Then:
NICOLAS PETIT scratched between ELIM and WHITE MOUNTAIN due to a combination of
weather and resulting trail conditions. By activating his SOS he scratched. They rescued him and brought him back to a checkpoint to be airplained (think that's a word) out when the storm lets up.
THEN:
ROBERT REDINGTON scratched in WHITE MOUNTAIN. Haven't heard why besides in the best interest of the team.
NOW THERE WERE 39!!
Much earlier TOM JOHANSEN from NORWAY was greeted by the winner THOMAS WAERNER
a fellow Norweigen, under the burled arch. He said his trip from UNALAKLEET to SHAKTOOLIK was just magical. The views were spectacular.
I don't have any pictures to show you until the storm subsides. I'll be back--where else can I go?? Not out anywhere so its me and the computer!!

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

MARCH 18, 2020 cont'd

MARCH 18, 2020 cont'd

Time is 11:30 EST and 7:30 Alaska time: Right now in NOME that blizzard they were talking
about seems to have materialized. The temperature is in the 20's but the wind and the snow have created nearly zero visability. I heard that the weather started to change into this about 40 miles from NOME. The mushers that are already in NOME lucked out and didn't have to go through these blizzard conditions.
QUINCE MOUNTAIN (from MOUNTAIN, WISCONSIN!!) was falling too far behind and was alone and a very big storm was due in so the race marshall withdrew him from the race according to the IDITAROD rule #34 regarding competitiveness. He didn't want to leave but it was the race marshall's decision. And then there were 42!!

After crossing under the burled arch in NOME the mushers were asked what a highlight of the trip was. MICHELLE PHILLIPS said coming over RAINY PASS suddenly in front of them was a clear sky and a bright full moon. She said it was a beautiful sight.
MILLE PORSLID won the ROOKIE OF THE YEAR AWARD. Her hightlights were coming into
the small communities. They were so enthusiastic and hospitable. She also said the bright full moon around RAINY PASS was breathtaking. DEEDEE JONDROW gave her a big hug when she arrived in NOME. MILLE had a big following. She seems to be well liked.
JEFF DEETER seemed like such a nice guy when he interviewed in NOME. He thanked two other mushers for helping him in the beginning of the race. His dogs didn't like the food he packed so they exchanged it for some of their dog food and JEFF'S dogs gobbled it up. He talked about the comaraderie among the mushing community.

They talked about the "blow hole" and how calm it was this year. I think it was JEFF KING last year that had problems there that took 1st place from him.

They also said the temperature changes have been intense. From - 52 outside of MCGRATH to
+45 in SHAKTOOLIK.                                                                                                    
 Some St. Patrick's Day treats at one of the
 checkpoints








All the pictures below are THOMAS WAERNER coming in FIRST to NOME-the crowd cheering etc



MARCH 18, 2020

MARCH 18, 2020

WE HAVE A WINNER!!!THOMAS WAERNER his words "this is actually a dream". His first win. He was a little tired but more relaxed now. He came in with 10 dogs. He did it in 9 days 10 hours 37 min. He is married to a vet, lives in NORWAY and has 5 kids!!!

                    THOMAS WAERNER WINNER!! With his lead dogs BARK and K2
JOHN SCHANDELMEIA ,MEREDITH MAPES and GABE DUNHAM all scratched in UNALAKLEET in the best interest of the team. MEREDITH was for personal health reasons. We  have 43 teams left. MITCH SEAVEY was second. He was running with many young dogs but he is rebuilding his team. Not bad for a rebuild. 
Those that placed in the top 10:
THOMAS WAERNER
MITCH SEAVEY
JESSIE ROYER
BRENT SASS
AARON BURMEISTER
JOAR ULSON
PAIGE DROBNY
RYAN REDINGTON
TRAVIS BEALS
JESSIE HOLMS
NOME is now 26 degrees with 100% chance of snow and 25-35 mph winds.
The mushers all agreed that from SAFETY to NOME was very windy with snow.
AARON BURMEISTER's greatest moment was from KOYUK to ELIM. He went from plus 25 but felt like minus 25--winds then some freezing rain followed by ICE FOG!! Can't see anything with Ice fog. Came down over the hill by ELIM and it was crystal clear with the northern lights ablaze.
He said a sight to behold!!!
QUINCE MOUNTAIN is in last place and is hunkered down in UNALAKLEET

Tuesday, March 17, 2020

MARCH 17, 2020 again cont'd

MARCH 17, 2020 again cont'd

Before I sign off for the evening at 11:35 EST I will catch you up on a few things.

THOMAS WAERNER still in the lead. Has left WHITE MOUNTAIN is now only about 10 miles from SAFETY then approx a 3 hour ride to NOME. JESSIE ROYER will leave in about 15 minutes.


BRETT SASS' Father waiting in NOME for him
BRETT SASS'dog

Kids in KOYUK waiting for the mushers

   



FINALLY a glimpse of the aurora
Clearing the snow off Front Street in NOME. Getting ready for the mushers to arrive. 

MARCH 17, 2020 cont'd

MARCH 17, 2020 cont'd

Just an update as of 3pm Alaska time 7pm EST:
THOSE INTO WHITE MOUNTAIN:
THOMAS WAERNER
MITCH SEAVEY
JESSIE ROYER
BRENT SASS
AARON BURMEISTER

LARRY DAUGHERTY scratched in UNALAKLEET in the best interest of his team.
They are now saying RICHIE DIEHL scratched in UNALAKLEET as his dogs had a cough and he knew from  UNALAKLEET to KOYUK there wouldn't be any vets to recheck the dogs (usually there are but they closed the SHAKTOOLIK check and thats where they would be) and his last 200 miles were tough so he decided to scratch for the health of the dogs.

**mistake** the picture of the tent checkpoint was NULATO not KOYUK as I had said. Sorry.

Thought I said this but will repeat that MARTIN MASSICOTTE and LINWOOD FIEDLER scratched. The BERRINGTON TWINS, ANNA and KRISTY scratched in UNALAKLEET. ANNA was running with only 9 dogs and Kristy had more but Anna was worried that only 9 wouldn't be good enough and then news came that they had a death in the family so both of them scratched to go home. So sorryANNA and KRISTY.





A wave from JESSIE ROYER on the trail






The storm that was predicted has come into WHITE MOUNTAIN with snow and blizzard warnings.
The temperature is 29 degrees with winds of 15 mph gusting up to 21 mph. Warning is snowstorms
(2 colliding storms) sweeping east.
THOMAS WAERNER finished his mandatory 8 hour rest in WHITE MOUNTAIN and left in the storm. JESSIE ROYER is waiting for her 8 hours then will follow.
Usually the mushers go from WHITE MOUNTAIN passing SAFETY and on to NOME. All this could depend on the weather. Perhaps THOMAS will arrive in NOME late tonight???

MARCH 17, 2020 ST PATRICKS DAY

MARCH 17, 2020
HAPPY ST. PATRICKS DAY EVERYONE.

In the past, NOME has always had a St. Patricks Day parade. EVERYONE comes out--kids, animals inc. dog, cats, goats, pigs, chickens etc etc with homemade articles on their bodies, pulling them or pushing them. It is certainly classic. EVERYONE is invited to parade along or just enjoy watching.
Its a hoot!!!I also remember in NYC after the St. Patty's Day parade you could go into bars and some restaurants for a FREEEE corned beef and cabbage dinner.
One year when Hank and I were in NOME for St. Patty's Day we entered the golf tournament on the frozen Bering Sea. They set up the "green" with evergreen trees and it looked almost authentic.
Lot of participants and lots of fun. After the tournament we were given a free corned beef and cabbage dinner at the local bar. Good memories. Nothing like that this year. All cancelled.
Little info about population at some of these villages:
TAKOTNA  51
MCGRATH 310
RAINY PASS 2
RUBY 187
UNALAKLEET 882
KOYUK 258
NOME  3576
So you see some of these small villages rely on and anxiously anticipate the IDITAROD. The schools prepare signs and gifts and cheer the mushers on. Much excitment to look forward to.
Coming from SHAKTOOLIK to KOYUK is 50 miles and as I said before they just pass thru KOYUK. You saw the tent set up there. Just stop for a check.
JEREMY KELLER (the Edge of Alaska series guy) made it back home. He is the one that scratched, turned around and drove his team back to ANCHORAGE to be with his family and friends at these stressful times. They kept an eye on him with GPS to make sure he got back safely.
LARRY DAUGHERTY scratched at KALTAG in the best interest of his team.
MARTIN MASSICOTTE said the race took a wrong turn on day 2 when his dogs started chasing
buffalo en route to NIKOLAI. There is a place called Buffalo Tunnel so he wasn't kidding.

***Complete geographic isolation has allowed this race to continue amid changes in the world.***



Sunset at UNALAKLEET





This moose is dressed up for the occassion--his name is Henry, today O'Henry
 Vets checking the team

Son Henry sent these oranges from his backyard trees in California. Good virus protector.

Monday, March 16, 2020

MARCH 16, 2020 still cont'd

MARCH 16, 2020 still cont'd
From UNALAKLEET to SHAKTOOLIK is one of the longest rides 85 miles. They have assembled the checkpoint outside SHAKTOOLIK and I don't have any pictures of it. Hank and I were here delivering mail as we passed thru flying to NOME.
 SHAKTOOLIK to KOYUK it is 40 miles so most of the mushers just passed thru on to KOYUK.
As of 1:30 Alaska time and 5:30 EST TOM WAERNER, JESSIE ROYER and AARON BERMEISTER checked in to KOYUK.

Some musher thoughts:
TOM WAERNER said it had been warm and that slowed his dogs down. He liked going slower but now that its cooler his team came more alive BUT he said his"brain is shutting down". His mind is playing games with him. He may be reacting to his dogs. They are getting distracted. When he came into KOYUK there were some dogs barking and his team wanted to go join them. He had a hard time getting the dogs attention. He said he had to break trail from SHAKTOOLIK to KOYUK so that slowed him down.
JESSIE ROYER said the weather has been great, a little warm with a tail wind. She had not experienced a tail wind--usually wind that comes from her right side, going into UNALAKLEET.
She said coming into SHAKTOOLIK it was cooler and the dogs responded much better as did she.
TIM PAPPAS is driving with MARTIN BUSER'S dogs that are older and have been on the trail before. MARTIN is taking his "puppy team" which he is not used to doing. He is more used to going for 1st place. Can't do that with a puppy team and he's fine with that. They have to get their experience too.
JEFF DEETER was having some trouble getting his plan worked out so he talked with many of the
mushers in UNALAKLEET, got some rest and now feels better about going ahead.
 some dropped dogs, flying to ANCHORAGE where the mushers will pick them up when they finish. They are dropped for a lot of different reasons--sick, lagging behind to mention a few. A first class seat in the plane.

MARCH 16, 2020 cont'd

MARCH 16, 2020 cont'd

as of 7am Alaska time 11 am EST TOM WAERNER was in the lead into UNALAKLEET
with JESSIE ROYER5th. Things can change quickly. It is now much warmer with very little wind.
This makes the dogs go slower and the trail is slower as well. Both want the cold.  I have to show you the fellow in UNALAKLEET where its warmer--I mean 27 degrees. He has shorts on, T-shirt, no hat or gloves. He is carrying a very large camera so not sure if he's one of the camermen or a UNALAKLEETER (is that a word??)  Thought I had a better pic. well you get the picture.


Sweet sign for Thomas
 One of the happy vets
The NULATO checkpoint---not much but........

Sunday, March 15, 2020

MARCH 15th (Ides of March)cont'd

MARCH 15th cont'd

It is now11pm EST and 7pm Alaska time here are the top runners

INTO UNALAKLEET:
TOM WAERNER
BRENT SASS
WAKE MARRS
AARON BURMEISTER
JESSIE ROYER
MITCH SEAVEY

PAIGE DROBNY just came in as I was watching.

TOM WAERNER winner of the Ryan Air giold coast award being first into UNK. $2,000 in gold nuggets!!
UNALAKLEET was another place Hank and I stayed for about 5 days. There is one restaurant PEACE ON EARTH serving as a place to stay (on the floor) and eat. We were to stay on the floor but they had one room in another building that the people just left so WE GOT IT!! Great place to go for a checkpoint. There is a coffee shop as well where they have WI FI so all the visitors go there to hook up!!Its now an 85 mile trek to the next checkpoint of SHAKTOOLIK so a lot of the mushers rest a bit here. Sometimes they order pizza to bring down to their sleds so they can eat there and head out!!
UNK TAKE OUT!!!

This is BLUE STEEL--MONICA ZAPPA'S leader. She says he is an amazing dog. Has an ego, he knows he's the man and everybody like to take pictures of him which he enjoys BUT when it comes to getting thru a storm in lead is his favorite position. He plows thru the wind and he has run most of the Iditarod's in single lead.

MARCH 15th cont'd


MARCH 15th cont'd

NULATO: FYI
There is an alternate checkpoint in NULATO. Thanks to local help of 1982 Iditarod Musher
Dean Painter and his connections to the Kruger Family they were able to set up a great checkpoint on the shores of the mighty YUKON RIVER. The KRUGER family offered their cabin. They have been tirelessly supporting the Iditarod every need. Lots of last minute logistics, and a fun crew of 7 were "open for business" before the mushers arrived. Thanks to Dean Painter and Larry Esmilka they got a big hot dog water stove set up, a hole for water in the Yukon and the school principal donated a load of wood. Hot water is a very nice surprise for mushers. Many families dropped by with nice home cooked meals.
The next curve ball came with a change in the weather. The days of -30 are over and its now climbed to 32F above. Its wet out there!! Travel speeds on the trail have dropped. 
Some of the musher said the trip on the YUKON was a bit boring--flat and straight!!!

LANCE MACKEY spread his Mom's ashes along the way. 

KELLY MAIXNER wondered if he would be able to race this year after a terrible accident. He was out training with his dogs. There is a metal hook used when they stop to secure the team and sled by fixing it firmly into the ground. This time it slipped and came back and hit him in the back of the head. He has been recuperating from his injury but said he found being out on the trail to actually be therapeutic. The cold wasn't bothering him and he felt great. Good luck to KELLY and his team.
TEAMS IN THE LEAD AT THE MOMENT: 1pm Alaska time 5pm EST
THOMAS WAERMER in to UNALKLEET
AARON BURMEISTER not far behind
JESSIE ROYER may be passing AARON
WADE MARRS
BRENT SASS


Dog on the right is one of SEAN UNDERWOOD's dogs. He is running the team for JEFF KING who is recovering from surgery.

MARCH 15, 2020

MARCH 15, 2020

I may be a little behind as some of the livefeed is back.
2 more mushers have cancelled in  GALENA in the best interest of their teams: MARTIN MASSICOTTE and LINWOOD FIEDLER.
On to NULATO: snowing but a wet snow which slows the trail down.
Here they can rest in a nice cablin and they can enjoy a local home cooked meal.





A few fat bikes in NULATO--riders resting



BERRINGTON twins resting--its where you find a spot





Resting on the Yukon







ALIY ZIRKLE enjoying a home made hot meal at DEAN PAINTER's cabin