MARCH 8, 2021 RAINY PASS

 MARCH 8, 2021  RAINY PASS AREA

I have waited until this evening to post as the teams are still getting their bearings and setting their pace. I didn't have much to report until now. It is 10pmEST and 39 teams are in RAINY PASS. Only 7 more teams have to come in. Six teams are still in FINGER LAKE and one on the way to RAINY PASS. They have reported that the trail is fast with a lot of snow, sunny today and getting warm during the day. It was -20 last night in RAINY PASS and now is above 0. As I said previously, the dogs run better in the cold so most of the teams like to travel at night. Today many of the teams are resting in RAINY PASS. The mushers are lying in the sun resting and the dogs the same. They will start again about 4pm,

COVID TESTING

YES THEY ARE EXCITED TO RUN!!

their time, to take advantage of the cooler weather. 

RAINY PASS is a popular checkpoint. The planes are constantly coming and going bringing supplies, picking up dropped dogs etc. A few of the dogs showed signs of a virus and as they are checked all the time by the Vets those dogs were dropped. 

As of 10pmEST the standings are: RYAN REDINGTON ,MARTIN BUSER, RICHIE DIEHL and DALLAS SEAVEY. All are in ROHN.

There are some difficult runs coming up---from RAINY PASS TO ROHN and then from ROHN TO NIKOLAI. This last run is where the infamous BUFFALO TUNNELS are. Yes, there are buffalo, wind swept areas and difficult terrain.  They have predicted a snow storm in and around this area. Nothing is visible yet. 

ALIY ZIRKLE and BRENDA MACKEY are in RAINY PASS--resting. 

CINDY GALLEA of Minnesota became ill (non COVID related) and scratched in SKWENTNA. I am sad to hear that as she looked so excited to run. She has been at the back of the line most of the years but she just loves the sport, her dogs and being outside in this beautiful country. Wishing her speedy recovery.

Last tip of the night: You only go as fast as your slowest dog. That is stressed for the health of all the dogs.