by elsietee » Tue Mar 07, 2023 5:58 pm
On the way to McGrath:
Brent - says he had a rough 24 hours carrying dogs, but now things are better - the remaining 11 dogs are healthy (sounds like he has a cold, though). They are where they want to be - everything going good, resting in the sun, and letting Jessie lead the way (laughs). Asked about the dogs: one had a tricep injury, another a shoulder injury - all coming down through the gorge - and the last one was a young dog who overheated last night and locked up - a furry guy who "hasn't bin there and done that", so had to carry him from about 10 miles out of Rohn all the way to Nik. "That was no fun". But they didn't lose much time. Hates dropping dogs and doesn't have to very often, but these ones needed to be dropped for their health. But on the bright side, he now has three less dogs to bootie, carry food and straw for... So the sled will be lighter and maybe they can move a little faster. The remaining 11 dogs are all his veterans. The main effect was it was a bit more challenging and taxing on his dogs, having to carry the extra weight. Going to push on to Ophir and look then. Planned to 24 either in Ophir or ID, but given that the dogs had a bit more stress carrying the dogs, and he's a little tired also, he'll probably stop in Ophir. Says he hasn't slept at all really yet, so it might be time for a good long nap in Ophir., but will make that call when he gets there. Highlight of the trip was Rainy Pass - a blue bird day - reminds you why you're out there. Rested at the perfect time in the middle of the day - same as today - resting at the perfect time.
[I'm always amazed at how coherent the mushers are, functioning on no sleep since Sunday]
JessieH - trying to get as close to McGrath as he can, so he can run all the way to Ophir. Pondering about the heat - may rest longer because of that, to "keep the fire in the dogs". Had an extra hour of rest this morning, knowing that it would let the competition get a jump on him, but also knew it was the right thing to do for the dogs. They ate really good and were throwing him all over the place on the twisty, mogully trail. Was very refreshing to make it through the burn and the gorge without issues. Doesn't have a spare sled on the trail, no where near as strong as he was last year (presumably because of his injuries), so huge sigh of relief to get here. Doesn't necessarily think that being out front is significant - lots of good teams behind him. Had to drop a dog in Nik - always a bummer - the dog had a sore wrist which was getting better - but the rough trail stopped that. And he might have to drop another one - but should make it to Ophir with 12. Says he busted up his knee last night wrecking the sled on some rocks in the burn, but took some Advil, put the liniment he uses on the dogs on it, massaged it, took a nap, and it was alright. When it happened he could hardly walk on it - but still had to run and pedal uphill and that inflamed it pretty bad.
So in conclusion - these two may be in front, but they both feel pretty battered at this point - much more so than the cheery mushers still back in Nik.
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elsietee AT ponyhill DOT org
Repotted english person in the Sierra foothills, CA
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