Temperatures & Trail Conditions

[Quadsquad]

I notice a lot of temperature reports off the GPS at 28 to 35 degrees F. That can't be good for the dog's performance or for the long-term condition of the trail. It's really gotta be whacked up by the time 30 or so sleds bash through the soft stuff, then (maybe) it refreezes. Hopefully the temps will drop when they get further into the interior, but it looks like the back of the pack is in for a nasty ride over the early going.

Moderator Edit: Added the "and Trail Conditions" since this seems to be a thread that has developed to cover both.

[Heidi]

I notice a lot of temperature reports off the GPS at 28 to 35 degrees F. That can't be good for the dog's performance or for the long-term condition of the trail. It's really gotta be whacked up by the time 30 or so sleds bash through the soft stuff, then (maybe) it refreezes. Hopefully the temps will drop when they get further into the interior, but it looks like the back of the pack is in for a nasty ride over the early going.

Well said. Yeah, I definitely would not want to be at the back of the pack right now! I'm also wondering how many have lost their GPS thingies by now. The best-laid plans...

[Di*]

Hey Heidi!
Don't think they would lose those GPS boxes, they ride in the sled and are kinda big, saw a pic somewhere along the line but can't remember!

[boo]

With these temps, I'm flashing back to 2005....also when Rach went out last. Really warm, huge wallows of sugar snow...ugh!

[Heidi]

Hey Di! I din't realize they were big clumsy things. I'm kind of behind on the action, but is it true not all the mushers with GPS trackers are showing up anymore? I guess they're not working, or maybe the mushers changed their mind and took an axe to it??

[Heidi]

With these temps, I'm flashing back to 2005....also when Rach went out last. Really warm, huge wallows of sugar snow...ugh!

Do you think there'll end up being a big gap this year between the front of the pack and the back? The front pack are in front of the storm and the back pack gets stuck behind it?

[tanglefoot]

ITC weather reports a storm coming in on the northern side of the alaskan range, so im guessing as the storm approaches the warm front ahead of it will push temps up, before the drop again.

[luvmy4huskiesn1mal]

I know I learn something new every year so here's my start for 2008...
Tangles~
Where do I find the weather reports on the ITC site?
Thanks!

BTW~
Please pass on some ear skritchies to the pups from their "Auntie". Hope you and yours are well.

[tanglefoot]

hey shelley, its on the iditarod storm ready centre button/link in the right hand side coloum of menu thingymajigs

[tanglefoot]

Moderate temps with continued chance of snow in the forecast suggest that the early ones through the trail theoretically gain a couple miles per hour in addition being easier on the joints.
CVIB field reporters are delayed on their snowmachine journey enroute to McGrath at the 100 person town of Sleetmute. The journey up the Kuskokwim River thus far has been uneventful discounting a few busted sled hitches and a couple snowmachine swampings.
Break in Crooked Creek

crooked.jpg

The trail from Sleetmute to McGrath is reportedly not so good with deep snow and numerous places of overflow on the Kuskokwim (please, no repeat of KuskoSwim!). There are a couple locals that are leaving Tuesday for McGrath via snowmachine and CVIB will follow them. In the meantime, they have set-up camp and uploaded the few pics from the Sleetmute Community Center. We wish them a safe and efficient journey to McGrath and I am confident they will make it in plenty of time to catch the first arrivers Wednesday.


CVIB Campsite on an island near Sleetmute

campsleet.jpg