March 10 Wht Mtn. 6:40 Am  King leads to White Mountain

Jeff King, according to the great tracker tool at the Insider, has gradually increased his lead through the night over Aliy Zirkle and is on the Golovin Bay ice heading to our location in White Mountain.  The trail on the ice is flat, featureless, and not much mental stimulation, especially in the dark hole of the morning.  We think King is now ready to climb off the ice to the trail winding on the Fish River Delta , about 6 miles or so from White Mountain.

Our checkpoint comes to life at 6am as lonely sentries at the computer advise King is approaching in lead.  The library floor, strewn with bodies at all angles, clears and the sound of Velcro and zippers mixes with hoarse, “good mornings.”  Its five below outside, but the heater in the checkpoint has been pegging close to 80 and the humidity is equal to the desert. 

Our trail breakers are amongst the wakened and putting on layers.  They will go ahead and mark the trail to Nome.  I put it out there “How far is it?”  One of the guys says, “74.” But Dustin says, “Oh , he doesn’t know,” more laughs and finally the classic figure of 77 is agreed.

The checkpoint clears at 6:58 am.  The road from the city hall/base of operations is icy, treacherous to the riverbed dog parking area and official checkpoint.

King leads to White Mountain.  Aliy in pursuit.  Dallas Seavey gained 9 miles or so, but it seems too late to bring the time  to Aliy and King seems for this year’s race.