Tibby's Blog: MARCH 9th CONT'D

MARCH 9th CONT'D

Now that it's 11:45 ET I can report what has happened and is happening.

Most of the teams are in NIKOLAI. 11 teams are still in ROHN. The trail is getting more rough and worn down from ROHN to NIKOLAI. Was better the earlier you were on this stretch. In NIKOLAI there are a lot of sleds that the mushers can exchange. Their dropped bags are there as well containing extra food for the dogs and any ointments etc needed for them. Also any change of clothes for the mushers, socks, heavier clothes as you get to more interior Alaska, food and whatever they think they may need. Its a plus if you've done this before to know what to pack in these bags.

In NIKOLAI it is still warmer during the day--in the 20's and down to -10 at night. Today is clear with no wind. DALLAS SEAVEY was the quickest to go thru the NIKOLAI checkpoint on to MCGRATH.

MCGRATH: DALLAS SEAVEY was the first to MCGRATH winning the ALASKA AIR TRANSIT SPIRIT AWARD created by MCGRATH residents. Hank and I were here to see ALIY ZIRKLE win this years back. We stayed in MCGRATH for several days and enjoyed this checkpoint. DALLAS also was given a pair of handmade musher mittens made of beaver fur and moose hide also a fur hat. (see photo)

STANDINGS: BRENT SASS (only one OUT OF MCGRATH), DALLAS SEAVEY, PETE KAISER, RICHIE DIEHL, JOAR OLSOM. The others are in MCGRATH. Many will take their 24 hour layover here. MARTIN BUSER is 20th and said something is amiss with his team. He can't put his finger on it. They are only putting out about 60% when they are capable of more. SO he is taking his foot off the pedal and resting them more. BRENDA MACKEY is 37th. LUCY EGRASS (below)