DAY # 12 IDITAROD THURSDAY MARCH 14, 2024

Rookie BRYCE MUMFORD was trailing last for some time. Snowmachiners were dispatched to check on his progress. After discussion with IDITAROD snowmachiners and MUMFORD, it was decided he could make it to UNALAKLEET from KALTAG. He did make it to UNALAKLEET and scratched, in the best interest of the team. The 12 dogs were all in good health. BRYCE said it would go well for a distance then the dogs didn't want to go further for no particular reason. This can certainly happen. This was slowing him down so he was lagging behind. Sad for BRYCE and his team.

Few musher comment after finishing the race in NOME:

WILL RHODES finishing 22nd said for him the Coast was great. There wasn't a lot of ice and wind at the time he went thru. The BURN was the worst for him as it was dirt and rocks. There also was a lot of dust and it was difficult breathing all that in. 

MATS PETTERSSON finished  20th with 11 dogs in 10 days 14 hrs 5 min and 6 sec. The BLOW HOLE area wasn't as bad for him as in the past. The cold and wind at night was tough.

JESSICA KLEJKA finished 19th in 10 days13 hours 49 min and 41 sec.The BLOW HOLE area for her also wasn't so bad at the time she went through. She seemed to go thru it very quickly, then there was a white out, clear then white out for a short time. Her favorite part of the race was from KOYAK to ELIM as it was just gorgeous!! She was happy to get into NOME and see her husband and 2 year old. She also is pregnant (whew!!) so she said she took it a bit slower and rested more. WOW!!

There are 8 teams left to finish in NOME possibly tonight ---8:30 EST. 5 in ELIM, 1 in WHITE MOUNTAIN and 2 in SAFETY. Then one JOSHUA ROBBINS, a rookie, in last place. He is in ELIM so he has WHITE MOUNTAIN to get to then an 8 hour rest and on to SAFETY and NOME. He'll be awhile.

I believe within the next two days or less we will see all the teams in NOME. I hope they will be there for the St. Patrick's Day Parade. It really is a hoot. Anyone in the community or from anywhere can participate including pets---dogs, cats, rabbits, fish---whatever!!! Lot of green, corned beef and beer!!

TILL TOMORROW and a few pictures: Not coming out so I will do another page😢