Tibby's Blog

Day #4 IDITAROD WEDNESDAY MARCH 6, 2024

Some teams will rest here in MCGRATH checkpoint. There is an airplane hanger for shelter with cover pads on the floor for resting. There are snacks, drinks, power for GPS, phones, music, headlamps and earbuds. They also have huge water tanks the mushers can use for cooking, dog meals etc. Good facility to stop for a dog and musher rest. Then 18 miles from MCGRATH to TAKOTNA.

As of 5:30 pm EST DALLAS was out of OPHIR in first place then JESSIE HOLMES, MATT, JEFF, NIC PETIT all in OPHIR.

There were 14 in TAKOTNA, 8 in MCGRATH, rest of the teams are in NIKOLAI. JOSH ROBBINS, a rookie, is in last place. This is unusual!! At least the last 5 or 6 usually are quite far behind, but in this race they seem to be grouped together.

Mushers can send extra sleds to checkpoints large enough to have planes land to bring larger equipment like sleds. Drop bags are sent, before the race, packed by the mushers themselves, for anything they think they may need.

ISAAC TEAFORD was in MCGRATH with a broken sled. This happened in The BURN. DALLAS sent a sled here but didn't need it and gave the sled to ISAAC to use.

KATTI JO FALLER interviewed SEAN WILLIAMS in MCGRATH. He will take his 24 here. He has had some experience in the IDITAROD. 3 years ago he was ready to go and his Mom got sick so he had to pull out on the day of the race. The next year he was one of the mushers that got STUCK in a major storm at WHITE MOUNTAIN and had to be rescued. That meant he had to scratch (disqualified) along with many others like KATTI JO. Then last year he had a baby so he was home. This year he saw that a few of the teams that he was in the storm at WHITE MT with were signing up. That inspired him and he began his preparation for this race. He said there was a lot of snow in The Gorge and one open water area. He was astounded when he lead dog just easily jumped over the water and, as he was the leader, the others did the same. He had never seen that before. He mentioned The BURN was full of exposed dirt and not a fun ride. He was still smiling through it all!!

TAKOTNA is mile 329 with 646 miles to go to NOME. As I have said, many times, TAKOTNA is one of my favorite places. Hank and I spent a week here some years ago volunteering. The people in the community were so friendly and fun. I helped cook!!! This is a popular stop for a 24 hour mandatory layover as the facilities are great and the food is wonderful. Used to be known,and still is, for the pies. I remember MITCH SEAVEY coming in and requesting a steak. They grilled up one huge hunk of steak for him!!

JESSIE ROYER will take her 24 hr layover in TAKOTNA. JESSIE said all went well till NIKOLAI and on to MCGRATH. She said the trail was bad and could only go about 2 mph. Then from MCGRATH to TAKOTNA she was carrying two dogs in her sled--130 extra pounds with her, not pulling. She said SHE got "beat up" on the trail that was bad--not so much the dogs.

PAIGE DROBNY was in TAKOTNA and was very happy her team seemed very strong and doing well. The area of The BURN was most difficult for her. She was glad to be in TAKOTNA.

MILLE PORSILD is in 15th position coming into TAKOTNA. This info is for HENRY--he is cheering for her.

TRAVIS BEALS' team is doing fine but TRAVIS is sick. Haven't heard any more.

The big news today was about DALLAS SEAVEY'S penalty. The authorities said he did not dispatch the moose properly. He tried his best to gut the animal but apparently it was not cleaned to their satisfaction. The laws in Alaska on this type of situation are very strict. The meat has to be dressed properly to give to the community. His penalty is two hours added to his 24 hour mandatory rest.

It is now 2am EST (I know!! I stay up late!!) and the weather in MCGRATH is 17 degrees and snowing lightly. Same weather in TAKOTNA. Only a difference of 18 miles.

The standings have changed a bit:

DALLAS remains first into CRIPPLE where he received the GCI Dorothy Page half way award. He has a choice of $3,000 in gold nuggets or a smartphone of choice and a year of free GCI mobile service. This also comes with a trophy. I'll let you know what his choice was.

NIC PETIT is out of OPHIR and JESSIE, MATT and JEFF are into OPHIR. 6 other teams are in OPHIR, 17 are in TAKOTNA and the rest are in MCGRATH.

coming into MCGRATH