While the last teams are en route to Anvik ( Cindy Gallea, Victoria Hartwick and Jeremy Keller ), they are at Mile 488, the front runners are pushing up the Coast towards Shaktoolik. Currently Nicolas Petit is the lone leader at Mile 773. That is a whopping 285 mile spread. There is still race staff and scratched teams in Iditarod, Mile 422. That brings the spread to 351 miles or 8 checkpoints. Logistics are challenging, to keep all the necessary race staff and supplies in place. 

We are anticipating Mitch Seavey here within the hour. He is likely also not going to stop, with camping near the Unalakleet River 20 miles before town. Shaktoolik will be a busy place tonight. The weather gods seem to be kind at the moment, it is by far not as windy as it could be.

The 4 teams traveling to Shaktoolik seem to have all equal speed.They are still in the same order as when they left Unalakleet. They will have to show off their efficency skills in the checkpoints. Every minute will count.

Enjoy a few areal shots from the Kaltag Portage. I was privilege to see it from the snowmachine on the way to Kaltag and then fly back today Jerry Wortley, who has been flying for the Iditarod Airforce for a long time. 

Unalakleet

Lots of open water

Good snow in them hills

3 dogteams resting in this picture