When we left Kaltag last night, it was clear and beautiful. We stopped at Tripod Flats cabin and it was nice and calm. For the first time in a long time, the temperature was dropping and it got to about 2F above. NICE. Than approaching Old Woman, still daylight about 8.30 p.m. we could see some clouds roll in and the the wind picked up. No surprise here. This country is alway windy. The temperature rose quickly too. But the strange thing was for a while it was east wind, than it switched to the north and all for sudden west. I had not seen that before, usually its always from the east. Sitting her in the checkpoint with, Sam Towarak, who ran the educational program for the school here for many years, he had the answer. A low pushed through the area last night and we were right in the heart of it.
Not a big deal on a snow machine, but for the mushers it was even worse. Talking to Aaron Burmeister, he said that only about 5 miles out of Kaltag, it started blowing for him and the trail was pretty much obliterated. That was only a few hours after we passed through and had great conditions. After running his team by Aliy camped out, Aaron pretty much had to to break trail till about 18 miles before Unalakleet, when he pulled over to work on some dogs and feed them. That is when Mitch Seavey took over the lead, to be the first team into Unalakleet. So it is no surprise that his team looks tired, when they arrived here after 13.5 hrs of running.
Will these 2 be able to hang on to the lead? Honestly I am doubtful. My money is still on Jake Berkowitz being able to do a strong push, he has 15 dogs left. He rested more, still keeps on hanging back, playing it patient. But also Jeff King and Dallas Seavey have preserved their teams strengths well. And than there is this incredible ROOKIE, Joar Leifseth Ulsom, how did the same strategy, and stop in Old Woman Cabin for a nice long rest. Ray Redington nicely hangs in the new chasing pack now too, We sure have a race going along the coast.
Another example how quick things can change, the long time leader, Martin Buser, is parked at old woman cabin, while teams are passing by. It is disheartening to see him drop in the standings like this.
