We're excited that Aliy and the Red Team have pulled into White Mountain in 5th position at 7.09pm. Their run time over from Elim was 8 hours, 38 minutes and they now settle in for their mandatory eight hour rest.
During an eight hour rest Aliy will feed the dogs a couple of kibble and meat meals and ensure they are well hydrated, feed them extra meat and fat snacks, give them all a massage and let them get as much rest as possible. Before they take off she'll also rub them down and walk them around a little to loosen up their muscles (and let them empty their bladders and bowels). In between this, she will eat and catch a nap herself. Her nap may be just an hour or two but it's likely it will be the most she has had all-in-one-go since her 24 hour stop, back in Galena.
As a surprise, on the packaging for the human meals and snacks we sent to White Mountain for both teams, we scrawled in sharpie "Woohoo! See you soon!" and "We love you!" instead of "Chicken Pesto" or "Moose Lasagna". Ryne, Bridgett, Scotty and a bunch of other supporters have taken snow machines out to White Mountain and were planning to be there when the team pulled in. I popped a video camera in Ryne's pocket so we might get some footage.
Check out these fantastic pics by Sebastian Schnuelle of our team on Golovin Bay! The line-up she's running at that time looks to be: Scruggs and Scout in lead, Nacho in single swing, Scooter and Quito, Willie and Chica, Mac and Mismo, Waylon and Izzy, with happy Schmoe and Clyde in wheel. Looks like Scruggs wanted to visit with Sebastian - he is a very close neighbor of ours in Two Rivers so perhaps Scruggs just wanted to invite him for a barbecue.
Another fabulous Sebastian Schnuelle photo of the team on Golovin Bay
The earliest they can leave the checkpoint is 3.09am. It's then a final 77 mile push to the finish and, boy, we can't wait to see them, hug them and tell them how proud we are!
Allen and his 14 Black Team mates are currently resting in Unalakleet and we're keeping an eye on the weather in the area as he prepares to leave in the next few hours. Check this out by Terrie Hanke! Finally a mention and picture of the Black Team! This is Beemer and Kodiak resting in Unalakleet.
Beemer (big spoon) and Kodiak (little spoon) in Unk - photo Terrie Hanke
Drop Dog Update
Here's a photo of Outlaw with kennel friend Barbara Swenson. He looks like he's having a great time. Perhaps he's singing to some song on the radio? What do you think? Maybe Hobo Jim's "I did, I did, I did the Iditarod Trail!"
So far we haven't heard about Nelson, Sissy and our Black Team member. There has been some bad flying weather out there in some of the checkpoints so until now they have been unable to fly some of the dogs back to Anchorage. We believe there are a number of dogs arriving into Iditarod HQ at the Millennium Hotel today so we'll update you as soon as we know more. We are very keen to find out who Allen dropped in Koyukuk!
If you haven't already, check out Kennel Mom's post about dropped dogs. Don't worry; Nelson, Sissy and "Wearestillnotsurewhoyet" will be well taken care of by the veterinarians and volunteers out at the checkpoints. They are well equipped to keep dogs there for as long as they need.
