Dallas Seavey was the first musher of the 2016 field to reach McGrath.  Spectators saw Dallas as he rounded the bend of the Kuskokwim River but then lost sight of the team as they climbed the bank to the trail along the river.  When they came back into sight, the team was smart looking and spirited.  Danny Seybert was on hand to present the PenAir Spirit of Alaska Award.  The award consists of a $500 voucher for travel or freight on any of Pen Air’s routes and an original spirit mask.  the spirit mask is created by Bristo Bay artist, Orville Lind.  The center of the mask has a figure that’s half dog and half human.  The belief is that in Iditarod the musher and the dogs become one.

Dallas Seavey receives the Spirit of Alaska Award

The younger Seavey was followed into the checkpoint by his father, Mitch.  Dallas planned to stay for a couple hours to rest but Mitch went on through.  With the speed of the trail, teams may very well go beyond the traditional 24-hour layover spots of McGrath and Takotna.  Time will tell how that all plays out.

Wade Marrs, third into McGrath, has declared his 24-hour layover.  He took care of his dogs and headed for a nap himself.  Pete Kaiser stopped only long enough to check in and go through the vet exam then he went on toward Takotna.  The same was true for Aliy Zirkle who was number five into McGrath.

Official check in

By the time Noah Burmeister came down the river road to the checkpoint the sun had set and darkness was closing in.  The dogs become magical creatures at that time of night with flash photography.

Noah Burmeister’s dogs are all eyes coming into McGrath

Sebastian, the Armchair Musher was here to cover the first teams into McGrath.  He, like Mitch, Aliy, Peter and Noah is on his way to Takotna.  Stay tuned to both blogs as we’re covering different aspects of the race.  It’s pretty rare that we’re actually on the ground in the same place.  Tonight was one of those times so enjoy his stories.