Handler flew over the Alaska Range in a Cessna 180 to get to McGrath where she is writing stories for Iditarod’s Eye on the Trail Exclusive Coverage. It was a little bumpy below 5,000 feet so the pilot took the little plane up to 6,500 and the ride was smooth as cream. On the trip from Anchorage, they flew above the Iditarod Trail. The checkpoints of Finger Lake and Puntilla Lake were quite evident because of the straw still laid out at the checkpoints. They also passed over the infamous Happy River Steps, over Rainy Pass, above the Dalzell Gorge and over the Rohn Cabin Checkpoint. Soon enough Egypt Mountain came into view, then the Buffalo Tunnels and the Farewell Burn. All of that was interesting but she didn’t call it spectacular. That she reserved for Denali. From take off to landing, Mount McKinley or as the Alaskans call it, Denali loomed off to the right. It’s brilliant massive white shape could not be mistaken.

Stay tuned for another telephoto story tomorrow. Beauty isn’t in the guide book, adventure not on the map, seek and you will find.

Born to run,
Sanka