Leaders Bring Sebastien Dos Santos Borges into McGrath

Wednesday afternoon finds 14 mushers parked in sunny warm McGrath.  Three more will be arriving within the hour, followed by another five who’ve recently departed Nikolai.  Seth Barnes who is here in McGrath for his long rest summed it up by saying, “It’s warm here but it’s warmer in Anvik!  Of course that can change.”

Brett Bruggeman Sorts Through Booties

Brett Bruggeman was outside enjoying the sun with his dogs.  His dogs were soaking up the rays while napping and Brett was attending to one of never ending musher duties, sorting and organizing booties.  He was happy with the performance of his team this far into the race but would appreciate some cooler weather.

Emily Maxwell Massage

Emily Maxwell who’s running Bruggeman’s puppy team just arrived in the checkpoint.  She said the Bruggeman youngsters are doing great. After spreading straw, Emily was massaging some shoulders and bedding them down with special coats that have pockets to hold little hand warmers over the shoulders and chest.  Emily described the overflow just prior to Rohn and how she coaxed her leaders through to the checkpoint.  On the way out of Rohn there was ice and more ice.  She had to do some creative maneuvering to convince her young leaders that the ice was all part of the trail.  Emily is a great mentor for young dogs.  She is extremely patient and loving!  Initially Maxwell was planning to take her long rest in Takotna but with the warmth and heat, she decided McGrath would be a better choice.  She had sent supplies to support the 24-hour layover in either place.  She hopes that Takotna will pack her a slice of pie to go when she checks in there and passes through.

Jeff Deeter’s Black Spruce Team Parked Along the River

Jeff Deeter and Aaron Peck are parked along the bank of the Kuskokwim River.  It’s a beautiful view and to make it even more fun, Jeff Deeter’s Black Spruce team is sleeping wither on or under very colorful fleece blankets. I asked Aaron if he had to pay higher rent for the premier view of the river.  He stood up from passing out kibble and said, “Wow, this is nice.  I should take time to look around.”

Klejka’s Team Sleeps with Snack Bowls.  Jessica likes Teal and Blue!

Parked close to the shipped sleds is Jessica Klejka’s team.  They are resting with bowls of kibble with in reach.  They can wake up at any time and snack as they please. This is Klejka’s rookie run to Nome. Getting to Nikolai is a big deal for all mushers but an especially big deal for rookies.  The technical challenges of the Happy River Steps and Dalzell Gorge are history as well as the Buffalo Tunnels, Glacier and bare spots of the Farewell Burn.  Not that it’s all smooth sailing from here to the coast but to have conquered the first 300 miles is a big deal.

Sebastien Dos Santos Borges climbs off the River into McGrath

Sebastien Dos Santos Borges is parked near the water source and across from the drop bags.  He’s another rookie who is happy to be in McGrath. Born and raised in France, Sebastien started racing shelter dogs.  He’s a Yukon Quest Veteran.  

Sebastian Gets a Canine Kiss

Lance Mackey is parked in McGrath.  While tending to his dogs, he was chatting with some of the village kids.  They were asking good mushing questions and he was very engaged in providing answers.  His hands are doing well, thanks to the warm temperatures and he’s been diligent about wearing insulated mittens.

Lance Mackey Sporting Mittens

Robert Redington’s dogs are sleeping and Robert is taking advantage of the long layover to do the same. Robert just asked for a wake up call for later this evening.  He said he’s got a real quiet spot under the stairs.  Says he says somebody sleeping there last and figured it was a great spot. He was pleasantly surprised this year to find the spot under the stairs open.  That’s where he’s settle down for his long nap. 

Also parked in the checkpoint and taking advantage of resting in the heat of the day are Sarah Stokey, Ramey Smyth, Richie Beattie and Lev Shvarts.  Resting in the heat of the day is advantages for two reasons, 1) dogs like running when it’s cooler and 2) they burn far fewer calories when resting in warm weather than when resting in cold weather.  In a musher’s run six, rest 6 schedule, running in cooler weather and resting in the heat of the day is quite manageable.