Niklas Wikstrand Talks to his Dogs

The population of mushers at McGrath checkpoint is dwindling.  Sebastien Dos Santos Borges, Emily Maxwell and Niklas Wikstrand are making their way to Takotna and perhaps some pie.  Like teams earlier in the day, these afternoon departures have indeed been on their feet, barking, howling, lunging and ready to get back on the trail. Six teams remain at the checkpoint.

Emily Maxwell Departs for Takotna

Teams who will depart after good photo light this evening include Blair Braverman, Anja Radano and Ryan Santiago.  Then the population will be down to three.  The final trio will clear the checkpoint in a tight group.  Jeremy Keller can depart at 04:32, Cindy Abbott can depart at 04:39 and Victoria Hardwick can depart the checkpoint at 04:53. 

Maxwell on the River out of McGrath

Once the all the mushers have departed the checkpoint, volunteers go to work distributing musher dog food that was left behind and racking up straw.  Returned dogs in McGrath will remain open until all teams have cleared the checkpoints that are in the McGrath hub area.

Earlier this afternoon, Jeremy Keller was explaining and demonstrating a process called Harmonic Resonance Healing.  Keller was using a tuning fork to create for vibrational resonance and healing frequencies that promote relaxation.

Cindy Abbott Changing Necklines and Loving Dogs

Cindy Abbott was moving through her team changing necklines.  She uses lines that have elastic inserted into the rope.  The lines stretch and aren’t attached to the collars but to a Martin ring on the top of the harness between the shoulders.  It’s another great innovation mushers are so well known for.