During the supper hour on March 8th, there was a flurry of activity in teams leaving McGrath. Pat Moon, leaving with 10 of his 12 dogs from Middy Johnson’s Unalakleet team departed at 17:26 followed by Hank Debruin’s Siberians at 17:41 and Karen Ramstead’s Sibes at 17:48. There wasn’t a reluctant starter in the whole bunch of dogs that left during the 1700 hour. Hank DeBruin finished putting booties on and attaching tug lines, walked back to his sled and said, “Okay boys.” In a unison move, 13 powerful Huskies stood, head and tails high and began howling, barking and lunging. They were more than ready to go, no questions about it.