Rohn-Nikolai-McGrath

[elsietee]

Bruce is saying the trail was pretty rough from Rohn to Nik - he says it is wind scoured with no snow, just blue glare ice, overflow and rock. Says Aaron B says he had a rough trip over.

Not many stayed in Rohn.

Bruce also says that Brent and Dallas' teams looked amazing in Rohn - esp. Brent's. Just watched the vid of Brent coming through Nik (after just doing an 80 mile run from before Rohn) and a couple of the dogs were jumping in their harness to get going. He stopped about 20 miles past Nik - so a 100 mile run total (if the mileages on the tracker map are correct). He dropped one dog in Nik.

Richie and Ryan both dropped a dog at Nik, while Mitch dropped two.

Liz Failor (Matt's wife) reporting from Rainy Pass says the vets are saying this is the lowest number of dropped dogs in ten years - only six or so dropped there. Figure the trail must have set up nicely for them.

[Breeze]

Shush, we haven't had a scr*** yet, either.

[emwcee]

Sorry -- I should know this -- but why are they not stopping at Takotna this year? Is it a COVID precaution?

[Breeze]

EM, I think the easy answer is < COVID precaution>. The more in-depth answer recognizes that each village has the right AND the responsibility to decide how, or even whether, their facilities can be used in such a way to protect everyone from everyone else.

Remember Unalakeet last year ? Villagers trucked out a generator and fuel, refrigeration, LP gas tanks, gas grills, twinkle lights, and food to a fish shed outside the village, and essentially moved the entire UNK check-point from the airport to way outside the village.

As longterm race supporters, I hope we can also be sensitive to the vulnerability of the trail villages, as well as quick to appreciate how fast they can start a party or mount a rescue operation.