MARCH 11th CONT'D

 MARCH 11th CONT'D

Between OPHIR to IDITAROD there are gentle rolling hills and some mountains but not like the Alaska Range. There are black spruce and spindly brush then comes open tundra with a lot of tussocks. If it gets windy there is no wind breaker and can be difficult to go through. 

DENNIS KANANOWICZ said he doesn't think he'll be able to finish. This was said before he had had any sleep and he was also explaining how tired he was. 

It was interesting to see IDITAROD. It is very desolate and considered a ghost town. It was bustling during gold rush times. 

CHRISTOPHER PARKER (r) scratched at MCGRATH. He had 8 dogs in harness at the time. He said it was in the best interest of his team. Sorry to see him go. 

AND THEN THERE WERE 41 !!!

At the back of the pack 6 are still in MCGRATH. 

LIZ RAINES spoke with a volunteer vet from Michigan, SUSAN DRAPEK. She said they look at ALL the dogs at checkpoints even if they are going on through. The mushers have to get their vet books signed before going on. 

I mentioned previously that BRENT SASS won the 1/2 point --IDITAROD-- award. I said he had the choice of the gold nuggets or the cell phone. He chose the gold nuggets. Who wouldn't!!!!

VICTORIA HARDWICK-- After ROHN she had to return as she had a broken sled. She was told she could use ALIY ZIRKLE'S sled but they were already breaking it down when she got there so she had to do some repair in ROHN and wait for a new sled she had sent to MCGRATH. She didn't want to use that sled unless it was absolutely necessary as it is heavier but it was necessary. The repair was working and she found the trail into MCGRATH good but will be happy to have her other sled.

Early on the mushers did not have any tracking device. It was then decided that, for safety reasons, a device would be necessary for them to carry. For a long time they had a 5 lb device they had to carry. NOW they carry a SPOT tracking device. It is small enough to fit into a dog bootie and is pinned to the sled bay. 

AT 10:30 EST the standings: DALLAS SEAVEY, RYAN REDINGTON, RICHIE DIEHL, PETE KAISER and JOAR ULSOM. They all have done their 24 hour layover. RYAN is the only one that has done both 8 and 24. They are all out of IDITAROD doing the "turn around" back to OPHIR. This will be interestng.

This was the 5lb tracking device

This is the SPOT tracking device

BRENT SASS who was the leader till DALLAS has just taken over that position. 

MARCH 11, 2021 MCGRATH-OPHIR-IDITAROD

 MARCH 11, 2021

Today the teams will be in MCGRATH, OPHIR and IDITAROD.

GUNNAR JOHNSON has been withdrawn in MCGRATH where he tested positive for COVID. He is asymptomatic and didn't come in close contact with race personnel or community members. He did not enter any buildings or community spaces in MCGRATH. 

AS of 1pm EST the standings: BRENT SASS, AARON PECK and MILLE PORSILD all in IDITAROD. MILLE has had her 8 hour layover and the other two neither.

The rest of the pack: DALLAS SEAVEY, TRAVIS BEALS, JESSIE ROYER, JOAR ULSOM are all in OPHIR. 

22 teams are in OPHIR everyone else is in MCGRATH.

AT 8pm Alaska time last night the temperature started going down in MCGRATH and the winds started picking up. The temp was predicted to go down to -20--25 tonight. Good for the dogs!! 

MCGRATH is a popular checkpoint and 30 of the teams took their 24 hour layover here. Hank and I spent a  few days here and loved it. We stayed in a "home" with many others and in the am a moose was looking in the window. There was a lot of snow that year and very cold. They had a grocery store which was fun to explore and a cafe (very upscale for a native village). They had great sandwiches, coffee and internet!! We did spend time there.

I didn't realize they do have a TEACHER ON THE TRAIL for the IDITAROD. He is JIM DEPREZ teaching 3 grade in OHIO. He is the 23rd IDITAROD TEACHER . He grew up in Central MASS. went to school in OHIO and enjoys the outdoors and sports. He and his wife have 2 daughters. His wife is also a Teacher. This year is quite different. Jim will NOT be on the trail but behind the computer in his classroom. This is a wonderful program for students. The curriculum involves math, science, social studies,reading, geography, care of dogs and the excitement of the race. One year the Teacher on the Trail had his students help build the sled he would be using, pack his bags etc. He even had them come to ANCHORAGE for the beginning of the race. These students are from all over the world. This is now possible with all the technology we have. 

BRENT SASS of EUREKA (I told you this was a very remote part of Alaska) won the DOROTHY G PAGE (no relation to Helen!!) being the first to reach the halfway point of IDITAROD. The award was made of Alaska birch and marble with a photo of Page - considered the "MOTHER OF THE IDITAROD".

OK how did all these pictures get back on here?????

Don't know if you did see the one with the red sled and red and black parka. Thats DALLAS SEAVEY at FINGER LAKE

MARCH 10,2021 CONT'D

 MARCH 10th CONT'D

Another sad story. BRENDA MACKEY scratched in NIKOLAI. Not sure what happened. I was so excited for her first IDITAROD. She was so ready. She's young, guess there is always next year.

I saw the video after ALIY ZIRKLE was being helped to the helicopter for transport to ANCHORAGE. She really looked beaten up and hurting. Not the ALIY we know. She said she had a concussion and a dislocated shoulder. No further reports yet. 

MCGRATH is where many mushers are taking their 24 hour layover. They also have to have a COVID test there and the dogs are being tested by the vets. There is a very large hanger where they can dry their clothes, get something to eat and rest inside. That hanger is a luxury they won't find at many of the checkpoints so they are taking advantage of it. 

SEAN UNDERWOOD is in MCGRATH taking his 24 hour. He said he was very tired. When he was coming thru the GORGE he saw a headlamp on the ground and thought how strange.( It was ALIY'S). I think maybe she fell there?? and thats where the accident happened?? SEAN said he fell in that very same place. Before that he heard a helicopter overhead and couldn't imagine what that was doing as that really is only used in emergencies. Later he heard that was the helicopter for ALIY. He said there were many bridges to cross and there were some that were VERY narrow. Coming upon those at night you didn't see them until you were on top of them and prayed you got over them. One had about a 5' drop. He wasn't sure those areas were designed for the return trip so he wasn't looking forward to coming back to that area in the other direction. He found the BURN area with less snow. He was moving on rocks and dirt but that, to him, was better than moving on the ice. On the ice you didn't have any control. You would just slip your way across. They took the booties off the dogs so they would have a better grip. SEAN said he was "working his butt off" and he thought going fast and was in 30th position. It amazed him how people like DALLAS SEAVEY could be in the front of the pack. He mentioned DALLAS' experience, good training, strategies that seemed to work and he knew what his dogs needed. He admired his abilities and his team.

BRENT SASS has been the leader thru most of the race. He lives in a remote wilderness of Alaska and when there is a big snow he packs it down with his snowmobile and then takes his dogs out. He is used to this cold and these conditions. He has good outdoor skills. 

**The trail has been altered. The trail went from IDITAROD to the FLAT and that was the turn around. The trailbreaker crew had a challenging time breaking the trail open due to the sheer volume of accumulated snow. They were unable to dig out a safe and well marked trail so the teams will go from IDITAROD and turn around back to OPHIR. That will take off about 20 miles in length so the new total distance is 832 miles.  

Sorry there really aren't any new pictures so I'll wait till tomorrow and hope for some from IDITAROD in particular. That is a ghost town--once a gold mining area. There is no technology there and it is DESOLATE so its amazing how the INSIDER has been able to set up video coverage of the area where that was NEVER available before. 

MAP OF THE IDITAROD 2021--

 MAP OF IDITAROD RACE--ends in IDITAROD and then turn around go back same way

MARCH 10, 2021 OPHIR

 MARCH 10th OPHIR

Not a lot happening today. The trail from NIKOLAI to MCGRATH JEFF DEETER said was wet with a lot of overflow due to the warm temperatures. His two lead dogs went right in the water and had to be pulled out. They all got wet on that one but got into MCGRATH. They were ready to take their 24 hour layover and dry off---dogs and JEFF.  

RYNE OLSON said it was beautiful weather for humans but a little warm for the dogs. She was enjoying it and trying to run when it cooled off--evening time. She did say she was having a great run.

The mushers were saying that they were hoping for cooler weather to be able to wear their heavier clothes rather than carry them on the sled. Also would help with the overflow caused when the rivers start running as the ice is melting. 

AARON BURMEISTER was changing sleds in OPHIR using a lighter sled that will go quicker in the deeper snow. 

It is noon EST and the standing are BRENT SASS (out of OPHIR for IDITAROD), RYAN REDINGTON, AARON BURMEISTER and RYNE OLSON. 

I am going to give you a map so you can follow better--sorry I didn't do that sooner.WHOOPS having a little trouble. I'll be back.......

    

MARCH 9th CONT'D

 MARCH 9th CONT'D

Now that it's 11:45 ET I can report what has happened and is happening.

Most of the teams are in NIKOLAI. 11 teams are still in ROHN. The trail is getting more rough and worn down from ROHN to NIKOLAI. Was better the earlier you were on this stretch. In NIKOLAI there are a lot of sleds that the mushers can exchange. Their dropped bags are there as well containing extra food for the dogs and any ointments etc needed for them. Also any change of clothes for the mushers, socks, heavier clothes as you get to more interior Alaska, food and whatever they think they may need. Its a plus if you've done this before to know what to pack in these bags.

In NIKOLAI it is still warmer during the day--in the 20's and down to -10 at night. Today is clear with no wind. DALLAS SEAVEY was the quickest to go thru the NIKOLAI checkpoint on to MCGRATH.

MCGRATH: DALLAS SEAVEY was the first to MCGRATH winning the ALASKA AIR TRANSIT SPIRIT AWARD created by MCGRATH residents. Hank and I were here to see ALIY ZIRKLE win this years back. We stayed in MCGRATH for several days and enjoyed this checkpoint. DALLAS also was given a pair of handmade musher mittens made of beaver fur and moose hide also a fur hat. (see photo)

STANDINGS: BRENT SASS (only one OUT OF MCGRATH), DALLAS SEAVEY, PETE KAISER,  RICHIE DIEHL, JOAR OLSOM. The others are in MCGRATH. Many will take their 24 hour layover here. MARTIN BUSER is 20th and said something is amiss with his team. He can't put his finger on it. They are only putting out about 60% when they are capable of more. SO he is taking his foot off the pedal and resting them more. BRENDA MACKEY is 37th. LUCY EGRASS (below)

MARTIN BUSER in to NIKOLAI

DALLAS SEAVEY

from MCGRATH models the gloves and hat she made for DALLAS as first to MCGRATH.

LUCY EGRASS 

IDITAROD 2021 NIKOLAI MARCH 9

 MARCH 9, 2021

Many mushers spent the night outside RAINY PASS. Sleeping in the straw with their dogs. Guess you can get used to that!!! Those that went on to ROHN found a warmer temperature therefore a slower trail. They go through the Denzel Gorge which can create problems but not this year, so far. The BURN can also create problems due to the terrain. Some of the mushers have expressed concern coming BACK OVER THE BURN as not an enjoyable thought. Many years ago, in this area, there was a huge fire leaving the land flat enough for the wind to blow any snow off the trail and no barrier to stop the wind. 

NIKOLAI is the first native community on the trail but they do not go into the community (due to COVID) and stop at tents where they can rest and pick up any supplies. Early this morning it was snowing a few inches and was warm. When the sun came up it started to warm up and the snow is predicted to continue all day. This will slow the trail. 

IAN PLANCHON and SACHA GROS are the video guys. They travel on snowmobiles and stay ahead of the mushers to capture pictures. They also send up drones for better shots. 

At the moment 2:30EST the standings are: RYAN REDINGTON, AARON BURMEISTER,RICHIE DIEHL,PETE KAISER and JOAR ULSOM. MARTIN BUSER is in 11th, DALLAS SEAVEY 13th and BRENDA MACKEY just into ROHN.

TERRIBLY SAD NEWS: ALIY ZIRKLE has scratched at ROHN. She was injured while coming into the ROHN checkpoint. There was a significant impact resulting in a concussion and orthopedic injuries to her upper torso. She was flown out to Providence Hospital (where my Mother worked as a Nurse) in Anchorage. She is now out of the hospital and resting in Anchorage with her family. Her team was uninjured and being well cared for by volunteers in ROHN. Wishing her a speedy recovery. NOT a way to finish your last race. 

Northern Lights over FINGER LAKE

FINGER LAKE AREA

BRENDA MACKEY AT FINGER LAKE