Yukon Quest, discussion

[flowerpower]

If Allen maintains his current speed of about 7 mph, he should be in Dawson in 7 hours or so? Assuming he only stops to snack.

[elsietee]

More about that mile 403.5 rest stop location:

Smokin' Ace Sled Dog Kennels

Rise and shine Smokin' Ace fans! Matt and the team is up and at it again after a nice 3-hr camp in the trees before he dropped down to the 40-Mile. Matt's a smart camper making sure he stopped up high before he dropped back down to the cold sunken air in valley--Temperature inversions can be pretty dramatic and I'm sure the dogs (and his fingers!) appreciated the few degrees of warmth gained on the hillside while they rested. It's reported to be 50 below in Eagle and 50 below in Dawson, so I'd assume it's at least 50 below on the 40-mile!

Last night the team left Eagle and traveled 17 miles of gradual climbing above treeline to American Summit, where he and the team mushed through alpine conditions with either "hard drifted snow or soft team swallowing drifts with wind." The team is traveling nicely and from where I sit I'm seeing nothing but good things.

Now he'll drop down to the 40-mile and run towards Clinton Creek Hospitality Stop 41 miles away. Sandy and Earl run this out of there beautiful homestead right off the river. Here they provide water for the dogs (that they've collected by melting blocks of river ice) and a nice warm meal and spot for musher to sleep.

The trail the crosses back and forth along the Yukon Depending on trail conditions. We'll see what he does when he gets to the junction!

[libby the lab]

Looks like Allen is about an hour out of Dawson!

[elsietee]

Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve:

The first of a few flights has left Slaven's Roadhouse for Eagle, loaded with five dropped dogs and the Yukon Quest - Official Site veterinarian. They're waiting on the second Yukon Quest flight for the remaining five dropped dogs and the race official. The Alaska National Parks staff are also waiting for a flight, because - get this - it's too cold out! We have a safety policy of -40 degrees being a cut-off for NPS flights and it's at least 40 below at Slaven's right now and even colder down on the river! Word on the Yukon River is multiple local Eagle residents reported -55F at their cabins this morning.

[flowerpower]

Any idea why Jennifer Campeau looks like she camped about a mile from Trout Creek?

Also, does anyone else have the feeling that Hugh isn't really racing? That he seems to be more "enjoying the scenery" so to speak?

[mira]

Allen is in Dawson some time ago..

Paige and Matt is approx. 23 and 25 miles from Dawson.

Thanks for all updating through (my) the night!

[mira]

From FB:

"Jennifer Campeau takes a rest 35 miles outside of Eagle where all remaining mushers have departed from and are now scattered throughout the trail to Dawson City. The checkpoint in Dawson saw it's first bit of action with Allen Moore's arrival and are looking forward to seeing Paige Drobny and Matt Hall in the early morning hours!"

[txbennett]

Allen has over a seven-hour lead ahead of Paige and around eight-hours ahead of Matt at the halfway point in Dawson. 500 miles is still a long way to go and anything can happen, but seven+ hours is a pretty comfortable cushion at this stage in the race.

Go Allen Moore and SP Kennel dogs!!

[fladogfan]

From FB:

"Jennifer Campeau takes a rest 35 miles outside of Eagle where all remaining mushers have departed from and are now scattered throughout the trail to Dawson City. The checkpoint in Dawson saw it's first bit of action with Allen Moore's arrival and are looking forward to seeing Paige Drobny and Matt Hall in the early morning hours!"

Jennifer is still stopped, looks like over 9 hours.

[flowerpower]

I think about 13 hours now. The tracker kinda reminds me of when Brent had that concussion. It looks like she sort of wanders around in that area and then stops again. The YQ site says they are monitoring, but I am concerned for sure.

OK, looks like she is FINALLY on the move.