6:38AM, Scene in the White Mountain checkpoint

Jeff King, running number third to the front, has not arrived at White Mountain.   Aliy, done with her chores, entered the checkpoint at  6:38AM, obviously jacked about gaining time on Mitch on the run from Elim to this checkpoint, quickly distributed wet clothes in the furnace room.  Ten minutes later Mitch, frosted, still wearing his heavy one piece suit, entered with sleeping bag and a checkpoint bag that probably contained his dry extra clothes like socks, maybe new boot liners, and his personal food.

The aim of the checkpoint drill is quickly attend to the dogs, then leave them alone to get some real sleep.  In this case, both mushers should be aimed to the floor of an office room cleared for musher sleeping  in the city hall complex.

I took some photos, but the internet is so hammered that I can hardly get the bandwith to put up an ariticle.   Check out the insider video, which has finally loaded, to get an idea of the lay out at White Mountain.

6:54 AM, a volunteer sees a light in the bend and deduces it must be Jeff King. The race judge, Thomas Tett, and Jenson, our Comm/checker quickly exit to the ice. Normally, just my opinion, King would be considered out of contention as he is now over an hour behind Seavey and Zirkle.  Looks like Mitch and Aliy are the contenders.

Thomas, our race judge, walked back up the hill and told me.  “I think Jeff must be really cold.  He was calm, just wanted to know where the dogs could be parked, and that was it.  He didn’t have a lot of questions.” One of our camera guys added, “He is so tired its comical.  His hands are cold, and he just laid on the sled for a  minute.”  At one point, he couldn’t find his knife, “Just took his axes and cut open the feed bag.  He thought it was funny, too.  He’s just really tired.”  Our producer says, “did you get it on tape?”   Our cameraman replies, “Oh, yeah, for sure.”

Next in Ray Redington and Dallas Seavey.