MARCH 8, 2025 DAY#7 IDITAROD. NULATO - KALTAG - EAGLE ISLAND

 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.

Above: BRUCE (R) GREG (L) ,the commentators I speak about frequently, were in GRAYLING talking with DAVE HAWKINS, a pilot for the Iditarod. Dave was taking time out to do some "tree skiing". WHAT?? That is skiing around trees on the mountain areas. There is a passion for everyone!!!

 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!!!

                                               

On to page #2 for pictures. Don't forget to turn your clocks BACK!!