IditaProject Forum

Tracker Snap of the field:

I assume this is the new trail after the Happy River steps (highlighted in yellow) which avoids the side slope that was so dangerous to mushers in past years.

Jessie and Aliy (ringed in blue) are both resting just after the steps ("Let's not do the steps with a fresh team, eh?"), which I assume means they'll sweep on by Rainy Pass and on to Rohn and beyond.

I think the steps are what I ringed in red - Richie and Scott J (23 and 29) just went down them, while Aaron is about to.

Finger Lake vids:

Andy Pohl remembers doing the stair steps over the beaver pond on his bicycle - says it was very pretty, but this year he did it in the dark.

Matts - all his dogs doing well - eating... all except one. Trail wasn't as soft as he feared.

Rick Casillo - passing other teams [off the side in the soft snow] wasn't an issue. Everyone was professional and patient. There were some good spots and his dogs wanted to run 10 mph, but he didn't want them to, since every quarter mile or so there'd be a trench that they'd fall in. So he's been travelling at 9 mph.

Martin - has an instant tent - his "napping house" - a bright yellow insta-tent. He says now he's old and in the back of the back pf the pack it's harder - there's no room at the checkpoints - laughs - so an old man has to bring his own tent.




Aaron - his team are "building" - he didn't expect them to be this strong this early. He kept trying to stop and pulled down three trees trying to set his hook. He's trying to get them to settle down a bit more. There's a lot of youth and gung-ho attitude in his team.

Charlie - slow and punchy - dogs not used to it. Keep an eye on wrists and shoulders. Smaller dogs fall in holes.

Anna - said a spectator yelled at her "You're winning!". She retorted that it was because she drew #4. Said it was funny. They had a nice night camping on the far side of Skwentna.

I like the instant tent idea!