This comes from Kaltag. Just arrived here. This run ahead for the mushers is not an easy one. Leaving Eagle Island about 3 a.m. it was raining, which eventually switched to wet snow and than to real blowing snow and temperatures below freezing. Specially the first 15 miles out of Eagle Island, there is quite a bit of overflow. Some of it deep, I first time sank the super wide track, but we got it out ( or no update ). Than it was pretty good going for about 25 miles. The last 20 some miles into Kaltag it was blowing fairly hard on the river. Although we knew quite a few machines had just been over the trail, in parts of it, the trail was almost all blown in.
Its been a huge effort on Iditarod side, to make sure all mushers have their food drops in Eagle Island. 6 Machines loaded to the gills made it ” down ” from Kaltag late last night. Before Jeff Praille from the Insider Team hauled bales of Straw from Grayling for the front runners. When we got to Eagle Island, it was still pretty ” bare bones”. 2 Vets and 2 Officials, but very knowledgeable ones with Tyrell Seavey and Jim Gellea. They worked around the clock to get things ready as best as they could. Once the machines arrived from Kaltag, there was even Propane to heat up the tents. 2 big 10 x20 Arctic Ovens are up for the mushers to sleep in.
Martin suck up on the checkpoint, having his light turned off. He was the only team there. Not the happiest of campers with having to drop 2 dogs of his squad. Looking at his runtime, it is much slower than the chasing pack. Martin has run a risky race and it comes down to crunch time now. This run he is on right now is demanding. The pack behind him hungry to hunt him down. I am super impressed with ROOKIE Joar Leifseth Ulsom. He is running a hell of a race, not that the others are not, but his placing as a rookie says it all. Most teams were parked off the river in the trees, only Aaron Burmeister and Jake Berkowitz were parked on the Yukon River. At the time, no disadvantage, as it was raining everywhere… and it was not windy in Eagle Island. In wind, the river is not a good resting spot. Both Jakes and Aarons Teams look superb. They ate like alligators. Something I have not seen Martin s team do in a while. Nicolas Petit sure his giving it his all to. He is a fun guy with a great sense of humour, not only was he giving his mascot mutt ” Ugly ” a ride during the ceremonial start, he also don’s a huge picture of some Australian pet dog on his sled…. taking him along for the spiritual ride. A ride that dogs is getting, as Nicolas is doing very well.
Jessie Royer and Jeff King were also in Eagle Island, but both of them yet have to take their 24 hr layover. Mitch Seavey is running a very solid race. He team is firing on all cylinders, eating like a machine. WHen I asked Aaron about what he was going to do, he commented well: ” I am not racing Martin Buser, I am racing these guys I am here with in Eagle Island “. I think that sums up the situation well.
If I find my USB cable, I will update some pictures.
Sebastian
