#3 MARCH 7, 2023. ROHN/NIKOLAI/MCGRATH
STANDINGS as of Midnight EST:
RYAN REDINGTON
JESSIE HOLMES
RICHIE DIEHL
BRENT SASS
KELLY MAIXNER
JENNIFER LABAR scratched from a crash in the STEPS. She had a hand injury--dislocated a finger.
ROHN is the most isolated of the checkpoints. Due to its location, there is no ability for any reception so no live feeds are from there.
Some of the temperatures--early am--increasing as the day progressed. In the ROHN/NIKOLAI and MCGRATH area in the low 30's early in the day and up to 40 degrees in the afternoon. When the teams stopped to rest, parka's, hats and heavy pants came off. The idea is to rest during the warmer part of the day and travel early evening into the night when its cooler--much better for the dogs and for the musher.No storms in sight, at least in this area---we'll see what ole man weather has in store as we get further into the range.
I have a video of JESSIE ROYER going thru the STEPS but in case that doesn't work out I have an explanation of THE STEPS: "After a mile or so of dropping down towards the valley and zigzagging thru the forest, you'll plunge down a short but very steep hill; directly in front of you will be on of the warning signs and the trail will vanish over the edge of what looks like a cliff. It IS a cliff!! This is the entrance to the HAPPY RIVER STEPS. Stop the dogs at the top, say your prayers, revise your will and then see how gently you can get the dogs to creep down the hill. Of course, you will be standing on your brakes for all you're worth. NOT for the faint of heart.
Then you go thru the BUFFALO TUNNELS. These can be very narrow (depends on the weather conditions), there are herds of buffalo in there, moose, lot of wild life the dogs can smell which gets them exited. You have to protect them from their own enthusiasm while maneuvering thru this area. Can have a good amount of snow or if wind blown--dirt and rocks.
MATT FAILOR wiped out in the steps and found dirt and rocks in the BUFFALO TUNNELS.
NIKOLI is the first part of the native trail and is at mile 263.
ATTN TEACHERS: One of the most important volunteer groups are the volunteer pilots who give of their time and experience--using there own planes and share their years of experience to form the IAF- Iditarod Air Force--Teachers can go to the IAF web site and have their kids learn about the pilots, about the different airplanes, watch videos of pilots experience and read some of the pilots stories. These pilots deliver supplies to the checkpoints, transport people, pick up and return dogs all while ensuring the safety of their two legged and four legged passengers.
Today it was reported the trails were super good with sufficient snow that was well packed.
FYI: there are approximately 1,500 volunteers helping with the race. They are dog handlers, security, vets, trail breakers, communication people, cooks, logistic and more.
The first person into MCGRATH wins the SPIRIT OF IDITAROD award--a handmade pair of beaver mitts, musher hat and a plaque. RYAN REDINGTON won this award.
BRENT SASS now has 11 dogs. He had to drop one dog due to a shoulder injury and a "young guy" who overheated. He carried them in his sled till he got to MCGRATH.
Before MCGRATH JESSIE HOLMES had to drop a dog due to a sore wrist.
Now we will find more mushers planning their strategies and possibly finding cooler weather. They will also be taking their 24 hour rest around this time. Many take them in TAKOTNA as the food is great and the people are extremely helpful. Hank and I spent about a week there as volunteers. We were in the kitchen. It was great fun. Got to meet all the mushers, hear stories and feel part of this great adventure.
It is mandatory for the teams to take one 24 hour rest and a 7 hour rest. As I said, it is usually around TAKOTNA and the 7 hour at WHITE MOUNTAIN.
The teams seem to be well on their way. Most will travel through the night. We'll see them on the other side tomorrow.
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