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On Halloween, I tested the waters as a dog “driving instructor,” giving a one-on-one seminar on how to camp with a dog team. The class went so well that I’m considering opening it up to anyone interested in becoming more efficient or just gaining confidence in taking a trail break, whether inside or outside of checkpoints.
I sat down with the musher for two hours on the night of the 30th, going over what she knew and what she needed to learn. And the next day, she was on her own to pack her supplies (cooker, straw, booties, etc.), and head out on a training run to a spot where I could meet her. She set about doing all the routine dog duties while I watched and we talked about her routine. After a two-hour pitstop, she turned her team around and drove them back to her dog truck.
I had to post a link to this article about sled dog psychology, and specifically recognizing burnout and fostering a happy attitude in your kennel. Even if this is nothing new to you, it’s a good reminder as the fall training grinds on and the miles get longer as we wait for decent snowfall. It’s probably a good read for non-mushers and non-pet owners as well. Works with people as well as dogs. Here’s the link…
I’ve added a page showing some images of the guys and gals I’m working with this winter. It’s under the heading of “The Crew.” The page is not comprehensive yet. It will include the adults and maybe a few puppy shots.
Also, yes, some of the images are blurry, so I will work on improving some of them.
Contrary to popular belief, the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race does not end when the nose of the first dog crosses the finish line. There’s 35 other teams out there still “racing” at that point.
Lance Mackey’s 15 dogs looked so good coming to the finish line that it was almost inconceivable that they’d just raced nearly 1,000 miles through some of harshest weather the Bering Sea coast can dish out.
Word from Zack Steer, who got a call from his puppy team in the race, Jake Berkowitz, was that a bunch of teams are holed up at Grayling because the wind overnight blew in the trail. The temps have plummeted and the trail is obliterated. They’re hoping for a snowmobiler to break new trail for them. The tracker verifies this. You can see about 20 teams camped at Grayling. Makes me wonder what those teams between Eagle Island and Kaltag are enduring right now with winds and drifting snow; those guys are still moving.
Also, stay tuned with Sebastian Schnuelle. Video of his team looked good, and he’s plainly making a move to reel in Mackey, who also has a sharp looking team. Seavey’s and King’s teams looked awesome in the video, too.
Got an email from someone wondering why I’m not mentioning one particular musher. Just an oversight. I’m not out there covering the race, so I’m focusing on what I can see in the numbers.
I’ve been talking about the joys of stopping at Takotna. Well, this photo proves it:
2009 Iditarod: Day 5: Iditarod photos and interactives | adn.com
A: I doubt it. Read this for an explanation…
Eye on the Trail » Morning Has Broken in Takotna
The best option right now is to enjoy the pie in Takotna and wait for trail breakers on snowmachine to get out in front, and let the trail set up. Or let other mushers go for it first. Although, if there is a thin crust of broken trail atop two feet of snow, then the first few teams will be able to ride it out but it will deteriorate as each team goes by. Some might be left wallowing.
You might get one or two cruising up to Ophir and taking their 24. Martin Buser is just about into Takotna as I write, with one of the fastest times over there, and could either pull up at Takotna or head on to Ophir, or points yonder if he feels it’s worth the risk. He alone has the most positive rest of any team near the front.
The Anchorage Daily News has reporter Kevin Klott up the trail as usual, and he has gotten a couple of stories with the flavor from Rainy Pass. I miss being there. No doubt you have already seen this, but here’s one of his stories…
Iditarod rookie crashes on Steps; rescue under way: 2009 Iditarod 37 | adn.com
The Eye on the Trail has some good essays, two so far, by the Insider’s expert commentator, Bruce Lee. Here’s a link to the latest one on how best to approach a thousand-mile race. (Just like eating an elephant: one bite at a time.)
Eye on the Trail » What are Mushers Really Thinking Right About Now
These are nicely written and easy to read.
