CONT'D MARCH 11th DAY # 10. STANDINGS
Top 5 teams as of midnight EST:
JESSIE HOLMES MATT HALL PAIGE DROBNY MILLE PORSILD MICHELLE PHILIPS
I am "short" tonight as there was a breakdown in communications at UNALAKLEET. I will have more for you tomorrow night. It's becoming more and more exciting as the race goes on.
TILL TOMORROW
JESSIE HOLMES won the award ,Bristol Bay Native Corp ,for being the first into KALTAG 2. He won 25 lbs of fresh Bristol Bay Salmon Filets, $2,000 and a wood burned art piece, made by one of the locals.
Because of the north south route on the loop, we knew at some point a north bound would pass a south bound. JESSIE HOLMES and MATT FAILOR are doing just that.
CONT'D MARCH 10TH DAY #9. PICTURES AND STANDINGS
First the top standings at midnight EST:
JESSIE HOLMES PAIGE DROBNY MATT HALL MITCH SEAVEY MILLE PORSILD
The first three are out of EAGLE ISLAND 2 to KALTAG 2 (70 mile trip). MITCH is into EAGLE ISLAND 2 and MILLE is out of GRAYLING 2.
"Things" have changed. Recently, PAIGE caught up to JESSIE. I don't know how but good for her!!! They said the reason for that was. -- JESSIE, being first, has to pack the trail down so he is only going about 5mph. The trail will be better the more sleds on it and will be faster than the poor guy, JESSIE, who has to "plow the road"!!!!!
Not sure if I showed you the one "homestead" in EAGLE ISLAND. Population ONE!!
"There's no place like home" - no matter where you are.........
MARCH 10th DAY#9. GRAYLING 2 - EAGLE ISLAND 2 - KALTAG 2
Remember (1) after the checkpoint name means they have gone SOUTH-- (2) on the loop then head NORTH (2) 1 = SOUTH 2= NORTH. on the loop
I told you I would show you The GRAYLING Native Store. The one Greg said carried EVERYTHING. Literally soup to nuts!! SMALL BUT MIGHTY!!!!!!
CONT'D MARCH 9TH DAY #8 - PICTURES This is the first time I could get a picture of PAIGE DROBNY having her banquet. This was her award for being the first to GALENA. She chose the race coordinator and the locals to share the dinner with her.
MARCH 9th, DAY #8 KALTAG1 - EAGLE ISLAND 1 - GRAYLING - ANVIK
The 1 and 2 after the checkpoint name only means 1 SOUTH and 2 NORTH. I mentioned, yesterday, there was a loop on the trail to make it longer due to the change in route. They need to make it the distance it would be on a normal route. On with it.........
Gabe Dunham scratched in GRAYLING. She said the trip from EAGLE ISLAND was filled with ice ruts due to the thaw and then freeze. The route affected her dogs and she didn't want that so she decided to scratch.
Paige Drobny said the trail to EAGLE ISLAND from KALTAG was one of the 10 roughest she'd ever been on. So, as you see, this weather is certainly affecting the teams. BUT its SNOWING in GRAYLING and now in EAGLE ISLAND and its getting colder. Snowing very hard so there will be some accumulation. FINALLY!!!!
There is a small air strip on EAGLE ISLAND and today there were two moose on the air strip but didn't seem to cause any problems. Don't know why there is an air strip there but only for the fact the population is 1, thats ONE. I'll show you his cabin. He probably built this air strip to bring goods in. He wasn't going to parties or socializing so why not build an air strip?? EAGLE ISLAND looked like the most desolate place on earth.
JODI, our commentator and x musher, spoke about the P TEAM, the drug testing team. Times during the race, this team goes to the checkpoints and tests the dogs for any drugs or substances. Today they were at KALTAG. QUINCE MOUNTAIN will take his 24 hour lay over here. I believe he is the only one left that hasn't taken it. Good resting QUINCE!
SAMANTHA LALONDE came limping into EAGLE ISLAND as she twisted her ankle!! She is powering thru and did see one of the VETS!! Hey,Vets cured my daughter when she was in a foreign country. They will now begin to feel the intense winds so many will put on their "wind suits". I will show you a picture of Dallas Seavey in EAGLE ISLAND wearing one. DALLAS is there to see SAM, his friend and she also is running some of his dogs. He was talking with the dogs and taking pictures--in his wind suit---blurrrrry picture but you get the idea of the wind suit.
CONT'D MARCH 8th DAY # 7 PICTURES
MARCH 9th DAY #7NULATO - KALTAG - EAGLE ISLAND
Lets get the sad news behind us and then move on.....Rookie Musher MIKE PARKER scratched in RUBY.
A necropsy on DAN KLEIN'S dog, that died, determined the dog was pregnant but further testing is needed. That was not the reason for the death. Everyone asks why would you race a pregnant dog? The gestational period for dogs is just a couple weeks. The pregnancy was not detected for the long and comprehensive VET check that was two weeks prior. No, it was not known the dog was pregnant yet that was not the reason for her death.
There are now only 25 mushers left to race to NOME.
FYI: Alaskan villages have different structure than other states and places. They were colonized a little over 100 years ago. Their school system and structure isn't what we are traditionally used to. Many villages take extra time in the year , out of school, for hunting purposes. Most houses have running water and housing is provided. Alaska is one of the highest funding for education yet these funds are not being utilized for the best result.
On my Iditarod Chat the site suggested RUN DOG RUN for video's . Maybe you want to try that as I found it to be wonderful.
I couldn't figure the trail taking a loop to KALTAG 1, EAGLE ISLAND 1 and GRAYLING 1 going south then repeated these checkpoint as #2 going north back over the same trail??? Reason being: they needed to add miles to the route after changing the destination due to lack of snow. They wanted the route to be as close to the usual route miles as possible. Strange but true. Not a lot of choice as the conditions of the trail have to be considered and we are dealing with little snow and rough, dirt trails in many of the areas.
Below: Teacher On The Trail, MAGGIE HAMILTON, goes to many of the Stopovers. She is amazed what goes on at the checkpoints--- behind the scenes. Just transporting all the packed bags for the mushers, I mentioned earlier, is such a chore. Also getting food ready, the cameras, some mushers have extra sleds in a few of the checkpoints, place for mushers to rest, dog lot areas and straw for them etc etc. MAGGIE was amazed at how much work went on behind the scenes. Its not just dogs and mushers stopping and checking in.
Bruce thought when the teams get back to KATLAG 2 (going north) the field will spread out with few being in front of the pack. He was surprised at how MITCH SEAVEY quietly keeps moving up. He takes his time in the beginning and suddenly makes his move and steps on the gas. FYI :BRUCE (above)has run the Iditarod so he is very familiar with the race and passes his info on to us, the INSIDERS (as we are called).
A book that was suggested to learn more about the impetus for the Iditarod Race is "Champion Of The Alaskan Husky" by Katie Mangelsdorf.
KEATON LOEBRICK'S team in GALENA. One of the dogs anxious to keep going!!!
CONT'D MARCH 7THE #6 DAY. --PICTURES
JEFF DEETER giving an interview about why he scratched the race (wish I could do video's)
MILLE PORSILD's DOG in the sled
MARCH 7th. DAY #6 GALENA - NULATO - KALTAG - EAGLE ISLAND
It is 36 miles from NULATO to KALTAG.Many of the teams are taking their 24 rest in GALENA. Looks like PAIGE is behind (4th place) BUT she has already taken her 24 hour mandatory rest. A few of the others ahead of her are now taking theirs.
Few sad events today--DANIEL KLEIN, a rookie, from Eagle, Wisconsin had to scratch at GALENA and one of his dogs died. We don't have any further info until a necropsy is performed. SO SAD.
Then JEFF DEETER scratched in GALENA. He had difficulty in the "sand storm" area. He encountered intense winds with blowing sand, glare ice and driftwood!!! As you can tell, he was off the trail, he couldn't find the trail markers, as ANNA encountered. At that time he noticed soreness in some of the dogs. He watched them carefully and it wasn't getting any better. Then they encountered "punchy" snow. They described that as the dogs taking three steps and then stepping into instant box mashed potato snow that was "punchy". Like running down the stairs and missing the last step. That went on for miles and miles. The dogs then couldn't anticipate having stable footing and it took a toll on them. He wouldn't put his dogs through any more so he scratched. A brave choice but a humane and intelligent one. Always thinking of the dogs!
One of the people on my chat said he was an Iditarider at the Ceremonial start for two years. I explained Iditarider at the beginning of my blog. I asked what he paid for that as it is thru a lottery. He said the first year he rode with a well known musher and his wife with another. I didn't think they could choose who they rode with but perhaps if you pay more you can? He paid $5,200 for the two of them. The next year he did a VIP Anchorage package which consisted of he and his wife as Iditariders, lodging, meals, VIP access(don't know what that entails), area transportation and some tours. He paid $16,000!!!!! All the money is used for the Iditarod race. Some hefty funds being spent here.
Due to not much snow and a rough trail 22 dogs were dropped in TANANA for various reasons. As they usually train all year on mountainess areas and less rough dirt trails, they were not training for these dirt, rough, long flat runs much of the time on glare ice. This was because of the change of the route due to lack of snow.
As of midnight EST these are the top 5 teams: JESSIE HOLMES NIC PETIT ALL IN KALTAG EMILY FORD PAIGE DROBNY
MICHELLE PHILLLIPS BOTH IN NULATO MITCH SEAVEY
MIKE PARKER RUNNING LAST AND IS IN RUBY
As it is almost 1:00AM EST I will put pictures on the next page and call it an IDITAROD DAY!!!
CONT'D March 6th Day #5. pictures and top 5 teams:
As of midnight EST the top 5 mushing teams:
MICHELLE PHILLIIPS JESSIE HOLMS MITCH SEAVEY TRAVIS BEALS PAIGE DROBNY MILLE PORSILD (one of my favorites )is 8th and is resting in GALENA
Check out ANNA BERINGTONS' face after going through the "sand storm"
MARCH 6th DAY #5. RUBY - GALENA - NULATO
PAIGE DROBNY was 1st to GALENA on the YUKON so she won the award, the feast on the Yukon. This is a gourmet meal from locally grown restaurants. One of the restaurants was The Snow Cafe in Anchorage. My favorite place for breakfast. That is just one of the restaurants, many local ones were involved. PAIGE can invite whomever she wants to share this meal and she chose TIM BODONY, the checkpoint coordinator and elders from GALENA. The menu sounds great: Alaska King Salmon with lemon-thyme oil, roasted butternut squash bisque, charred cabbage salad with candied walnuts, radish, carrot and onion. Braised beef cheek bourguignon, asparagus, mashed potatoes and shallot leaves and the piece de resistance -----chocolate bourbon pot de creme dessert. WHEW!! Could you jump on your sled and mush 50 miles after that???? I thought it was smart of PAIGE to take her 24 hr. layover here. She could take her time with her gourmet meal, digest and rest then go on. Good going PAIGE!!!
PAIGE coming in first to GALENA--with a smile!!
Sad to announce that Rookie Charmayne Morrison from Bozeman, Montana scratched at TANANA with 14 dogs all in good health. Thats all we know.
Still hearing stories about mushers coming through the "sand storm". MATT FAILOR said after all the dirt, sand and glare ice he noticed some soreness in a few of his dogs so he decided to take his 24 hr in GALENA to rest his dogs and rub those sore legs. JEFF DEETER did the same.
I said I would talk about THE TEACHER ON THE TRAIL, MAGGIE HAMILTON, a 5th grade teacher from Mitchell, IN. Her purpose is to teach beyond the walls of the classroom and reach students from all over the world. She posts lessons and journal entries to the Iditarod EDU website. She offers classroom visits thru video conferences. Each year teachers from all over the country vie to be the chosen one, thru writings, interviews etc. Only one person is chosen from hundreds. This is a unique opportunity for one selected educator incorporating math, reading, social studies and other academic areas with the theme of the Iditarod.
This is MAGGIE HAMILTON, TEACHER ON THE TRAIL
DAY #4 MARCH 5th TANANA to RUBY
Sorry to report BRENDA MACKEY scratched in TANANA with 14 dogs all in good health. We don't know the circumstances yet.
The trail from MANLEY to TANANA had some difficulties. ANNA BERINGTON reported going through a sand storm. The winds were intense and as there wasn't snow, sand was the problem. She lost sight of the trail markers and therefore got off the trail and was lost!! Using her GPS helped her find a marker but wasn't sure which direction to go so took a chance and it turned out it was TOWARDS TANANA not away. Her lead dog also helped her find the trail--hopefully you have a lead that is astute at times like this. She had sand in her eyes, hair and teeth!!! Her dogs were fine. She was very grateful to arrive in TANANA. SAMANTHA LALONDE met ANNA just coming into TANANA and went thru the same storm but it wasn't as intense as it was for ANNA. She also had sand in her hair, eyes and teeth!!! This area where the sand storm occurred is not uncommon for intense winds. It is 10 miles before TANANA--just a fierce blow hole!!
QUINCE MOUNTAIN (love the name!!) had a dog in heat that was causing a problem and had to "drop him" at the checkpoint. If he put the dog at the end of the line, all the dogs in front were turning around and distracted. If he put him in the front he was turning around all the time to catch the eye of those behind him. It was a problem- the reason to leave him behind. When a dog is "dropped" that is not a bad thing. Jodi likened it to the check light in your car. Nothing is really wrong but you take it to the repair shop just to make sure and you don't have problems in the future. A dropped dog is left at a checkpoint with the VET there. They are then flown (the Air Force supplies small planes for the Iditarod use) to Anchorage into the hands of a VET there and picked up by the owners when possible.
Leaving TANANA to RUBY they now will travel to the confluence of the TANANA and YUKON RIVER. The Yukon usually is windy and of course is flat ,creating different strategies for the mushers to consider.
Many will be in RUBY tonight.The temperature during the day today was 35 degrees!!!BUT I just read where snow is predicted tonight 60% 1-3" going down to 23 degrees. We'll see.
I know PAIGE DROBNY is close to RUBY. She may be the 1st in. I do hope so!!
I will find out who the top five are right now and show you some pictures on the next page.
con't with pictures March 4th NENANA - MANLEY
DANIEL KLEIN passing melting ice---ooooh not good
DAY #3 MARCH 4, 2025 NENANA-MANLEY
From NENANA to MANLEY it is 85 miles. This being the beginning of the race all the teams are very close together. They are running slower as it is so warm- about 40 degrees. The dogs like 0-minus degrees. Mushers' said in the warmer weather they take extra breaks, give different snacks to the dogs like pure beef and kibble for warm weather and fat for cold weather.
JUSTIN OINES spoke with Jodi (the commentator this year and previous years a musher in the race).He is running mostly rescue dogs. His passion is working with the Junior mushers and being their mentor. He rescues dogs and trains them with the Jr. mushers. When asked about the name the rescue came with, he said they stick with their inherited name. Sounds like such a passionate guy. Good luck to him.
Some mushers use the pattern. RUN, REST, RUN. The dogs get used to a pattern and thats what they expect. They do 50-60 mile runs, rest etc. During rest periods the musher first takes care of the dogs--Booties (protect their feet with trail conditions) changes, put hay down for the dogs to rest and snack them. The musher will reorganize, fill a thermos, do any repairs and rest if possible.
Jodi said after a very long run she did experience hullucinations. She said she saw a giraffe on the Yukon River---OOOH Run was too long and she didn't do that again without a break.
Being so warm during the day, the teams usually rest, as they did in NENANA. You could hear the dogs barking and jumping around READY TO GO!! So early in the race they had a lot of energy to spare. As the race goes on you can tell that pent up energy is used and rest time is well accepted and much quieter.
JASON MACKEY and PAIGE DROBNY are leading the pack. CALVIN DAUGHERTY is pulling up the rear. He is a Rookie but is taking his time and sticking to his pattern. ALL the mushers are now in or leaving MANLEY on to TANANA -65 miles away.
Just a word about MANLEY Population 20: that is the site of MANLEY HOT SPRINGS. This is an unexpected oasis in Interior Alaska. It is 156 miles, by road, from Fairbanks. The Springs are now privately owned (don't know how that is but this is Alaska!!) They have a greenhouse that is heated by geothermal energy so they boast lots of "luscious" vegetables. MANLEY is 674 miles to NOME.
Hank and I spent 5 days at CHENA HOT SPRINGS, 60 miles north of FAIRBANKS. The University of Alaska, in Fairbanks, uses this area for experimenting with their geothermal energy and have greenhouses and several experimental areas. The hot springs were wonderful especially when the temp at that time was in the minus area!!! Their restaurant was excellent as they made use of all their "luscious" vegetables from their greenhouses.
Its now past midnight EST and TANANA is the hot spot. The teams are now moving as its cooler and they are "pouring" into TANANA. First to arrive was JASON MACKEY, followed by PAIGE DROBNY and GABE DUNHAM. As it is only 9pm there so the townspeople are filling the street with pots and pans of home made food for the mushers. Big wood stove in the hall where they have a huge pot of moose stew cooking along with all the local food. They have music and singing at the checkpoint and all the cameras and BRUCE LEE and GREG HEISTER, commentators for the race are there as well. Many will stop here as it is 117 miles to the next checkpoint - RUBY.
Several of the locals are setting up a grill with moose burgers for a stop half way to RUBY.
Till tomorrow. I will use the next page for a few pictures.
CONT'D DAY #2 JEFF DEETER going down the Tanana River(foreground) to the right the
Tripod on the river
CONT'D MARCH 3, 2025 DAY #2
No feed from FAIRBANKS.Had to wait till they got to the first Checkpoint of NENANA. From FAIRBANKS they travel on the Tanana River up to NENANA. Population is 400. Comments were how warm it was. The dogs like the cooler weather to run in. It's 34 degrees!! Very unusual.
In years past, people used to travel up the Tanana River to NENANA to trade with the Russians --fur for western goods.
On the Tanana River, close to the NENANA checkpoint ,there is a tripod set up. One can purchase tickets with guesses on the exact time the ice will break up. There is a rope attached to the tripod and when the tripod begins to move the rope trips a clock that registers the exact time the break up began. The person or persons who guess the EXACT date and time win the jackpot. In 2024 the jackpot was $210,155!!! Its worth a try!! I have taken chances but NEVER won!! This game was started in 1817 by railroad engineers.
Some say the trip on the river is just boring but ANNA BERINGTON, a musher, said "some mushers think the river is going to be boring and boring suggests waste of time. There's nothing about the Iditarod thats a waste of time, it's a challenge. So if you're of the mindset of accepting it then it can be a new fun way to experience the Iditarod". Positive thinking Anna!!
EMILY ROBINSON, a young musher lives in NENANA. She is 17 years old and has won the Junior Iditarod 4 times. Next year she will be of age to run this Iditarod. Because she won the Jr. race, she lead the mushing teams out at the ceremonial start. After that, she and her Dad, will go from ANCHORAGE to NOME with their dog teams. She will get the experience before she gets on the trail next year. That's commitment and love of the sport and a good Dad!!!!
Sorry no feed from the start but I'll try to make it up as we go along. Here are a few pictures.
Day #2 FAIRBANKS --START
Well, bad news. The feed from Fairbanks went down. No broadcast!! Maybe aliens that don't like dogs or something!!😝I hope they rerun the start of the race. If so, I will provide some feed at that time. Half of the mushers have left Fairbanks on their way to the first checkpoint NENANA which is 52 miles. JASON MACKEY (LANCE'S BROTHER) was first out of the gate as he pulled the #2. Skies are blue, not very cold and lot of excited people. I'll be back. I do have Jason Mackey live from my Facebook page.
iThis is some of what they haul now from Anchorage to Fairbanks.
Bit of a moving circus😝
