Thread: Who's the Leader?

[Another UK Fan]

Three leaders - all stopped at mile 676: Dallas, Travis and Jessie. Is there a cabin there?

[flowerpower]

Is that Old Woman Cabin?

[libby the lab]

correct Old Women is 676

[Another UK Fan]

Thanks libby.

Matt Hall has stopped at Old Woman Cabin too. Four leaders.

[elsietee]

More from the Seavey Camp:

“ There's another pile up at the front of #Iditarod24.

Dallas Seavey took the lead last night, passing Travis Beals camped on the trail last night and leading a pack of 6 mushers into Old Woman Cabin, halfway between Kaltag and Unalakleet.

This was an unplanned stop, his schedule called for going another 12 miles to set up his usual strategy on the coast. However, he was supposed to run just 7 hours to get there.

Instead, it took him 7:45* just to get to Old Woman, a mere 46 miles. I'm sure we'll get details later, but that trail is ugly and slow, and they're adding extra rest accordingly. EDIT * Daylight Savings Time may have gotten me here, his run time s/b 6:45 +DST.

It's unusual to have so many teams running the exact same schedule, but it sure makes my job easy, whoever's in front, or moving faster is winning.

In this case, Dallas arrived at the current camp at 4:45am, Jessie Holmes was 2nd at 5:13, Beals a5 5:19, Hall at 5:57, Drobny at 6:48, and Redington at 7:03, Kaiser at 8:06.

This should be fun!”

[elsietee]

And from Squid Acres (Paige Drobny) FB:

"Sunday Morning Isquidarod Update: Musher party at Old Woman cabin!

Paige rolled into Old Woman cabin about 6:45 am and I imagine she was shocked to see all teams that had left in front of her resting here. Including Travis, who had taken a rest at Tripod cabin which is a short distance away. That move shows either his team is experiencing issues or it could mean that weather conditions are extreme. Speeds have changed dramatically on this stretch and I imagine they are dealing with wind blown trail.

When you have cold temperatures and wind blown snow on the trail, things tend to get real slow. The granules that deposit in the low points of the trail are heavy and sand like. You can hear the runners sound like being drug through sand. It can be incredibly demoralizing to get in these conditions and suddenly drop 2 mph.

As I'm writing this, Jessie's tracker has turned green and we have a new race leader leaving Old Woman. Will he stop in Inalakleet or go through to Blueberry Hills cabin? Who will leave next? Grab another cup of coffee folks!
I hope Paige makes an offering to the Old Woman for safe passage. From here to Nome is such a magical section of trail. I hope the mushers get the chance enjoy it!"

Most interesting about Travis having only camped at Tripod and then moving on to OWC.

Coming into Kaltag, Travis, Jessie, and Paige had pretty identical run times (4 hr 22 m), while Dallas and Ryan were moving a bit quicker (4 hr 9 m), and Matt being the slowest (4 hr 46 m).

Note, Matt also rested slightly shorter (3 hr 58 m) in Nulato, the checkpoint before Kaltag and ran slower, while Ryan also cut his rest (3 hr 45 m) there, but was still able to keep his speed up.

But keep in mind this weather advisory:

03/10. 7:11 am AKST. WIND CHILL ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM AKDT MONDAY...* ...Wind chills as low as 55 below!
Now: Unalakleet: -25 deg. F (windchill-44 deg. F), Kaltag -33(-48),Nulato -29 (-43), Galena -22 (-36), Ruby -19 (-29)

Still a close race, though, with 16 teams OUT of Kaltag within 22 hours of each other. One big blow could really shake things up.

[Pippiroo]

Looks like we have the first scratch- Erin Altemus scratched in Ruby.

[Another UK Fan]

So sorry to hear Erin scratched and hope all is (will be) well. Just come off the phone to Tangles and remarking how great no scratches this year . . . and then see this.

Hope all will be well for Erin and the team.

Meanwhile . . . thanks for all the info about weather and other factors elsietee

[Another UK Fan]

Jessie Holmes first into Unk. Dallas a mile away.

[Another UK Fan]

Top ten

Jessie mile 714 Unk
Dallas 713
Travis 700
Matt Hall 698
Paige 691
Ryan 685
Mackey 683
Deeter 680
Mille 678
Hunter 676