DAY #8 IDITAROD SUNDAY MARCH 10, 2024.  11:30 pm EST

Sadly three mushers have scratched (disqualified). ISAAC TEAFORD, a rookie, scratched in NULATO with 13 dogs. 200 feet outside the NULATO checkpoint his 2 year old male dog BOG collapsed. He was immediately administered to for 20 minutes but he never recovered and died. A necropsy will be performed.So sad. CONNOR MCMAHON, a rookie, scratched in GALENA with 11 dogs. No report why. ERIN ALTEMUS, a rookie, scratched in RUBY with 12 dogs. Again, no report.

HENRY: MILLE PORSILD is now in 8th place. She is moving up!!! She is now resting in UNALAKLEET.

JESSIE HOLMES was the leader early this am at mile 681 with 294 miles to go. JESSIE left OLD WOMAN CABIN, one of the cabins between KALTAG and UNALAKLEET. As it is a distance of 85 miles, with the wind blowing so hard and the temps so low, most of the teams may stop along the way. They can warm up in the cabin and take a quick rest. JESSIE took a 3 hour rest with 32 miles to go to UNALAKLEET. DALLAS, also in the cabin, left in second place after resting here for 4 hours. He is 4 miles behind JESSIE. There were 7 mushers in OLD WOMAN CABIN, bit crowded. They are usually planning out different strategies for runs and rest patterns. 

JOSI THYR, a rookie, had been traveling with GABE DUNHAM (they have run together before).They were in KALTAG. Only one of JOSI's dogs had been in the IDITAROD before the rest had not and this is her first time as well. As a first timer, she is learning her dogs better and this challenging terrain. 

GABE DUNHAM was on her way to KALTAG and saw spinning light in the far distance. Being tired and taking her attention away from the team, she was checking the time when she fell and did a face plant in the snow. Her dogs kept going. When she "woke up", dogs gone but not too far she ran after them. Luckily she wasn't far from the KALTAG checkpoint where they caught the team. 

PAIGE DROBNY also stopped at OLD WOMAN CABIN early this am and was surprised to see many others there. Speeds (now slower) have changed on this stretch due to the windblown trail and the cold temps. 

JESSIE HOLMES was the first into UNALAKLEET winning the Ryan Air Gold Coast Award. A hand carved loon by a community artist and $1,500 in gold coins. He was very grateful.

DALLAS wasn't far behind into UNALAKLEET, 7:30 pm EST. He went through. Some would rather stop outside the checkpoints as it is quieter, dogs aren't distracted and its easier to think and make plans without all the hustle bustle at the checkpoint. There is a cabin just past UNALAKLEET in the BLUEBERRY HILLS. They can then skip SHAKTOOLIK and go all the way to KOYUK. Its a haul!! May also be difficult with these winds and temps. From UNALAKLEET to SHAKTOOLIK is 38 miles and normally a good trail. The view around BLUEBERRY HILL is breathtaking. You are viewing the Bering Sea, looking out on the ocean and then drop out of the hills on to the flat tundra where SHAKTOOLIK sits. The area is flat with wind tunnels. Not pleasant!!

Another favorite place for me is UNALAKLEET. Hank and I spent 5 days there. There is no place to stay but DAVIDA HANSON, the owner of PEACE ON EARTH--pizza place--- said we could stay in the restaurant on the couches. Wasn't a problem BUT at the last minute a room they do rent out was being vacated and they gave it to us. We had dinner that night at their house. First time eating BLUBBER!!!An experience. They are the nicest family and as JESSIE HOLMES said he loves UNALAKLEET as they are so welcoming. Many families or friends of the mushers order pizza from here to pick up on their way in. Many fans also do this and  have them write a message on the box top. Its a PIZZA STOP and a checkpoint. 

STANDINGS as of 11:30 pm EST: TOP 10

DALLAS SEAVEY at mile 749 with 226 to go is out of UNALAKLEET.  He is running.                             Three teams are out of UNALAKLEET--JESSIE HOLMES, MATT HALL and TRAVIS BEALS. The rest of the top 10 are INTO UNALAKLEET. PAIGE DROBNY, RYAN REDINGTON, JEFF DEETER, MILLE PORSILD, JASON MACKEY and PETE KAISER.    

TILL TOMORROW:💤          Few pictures to follow