ID: Monday Morning Update

Good morning!

Aliy and the Red Team have just passed through Finger Lake checkpoint. The standings show that she has left one dog there with the vets but at this stage we have no way of knowing who it is and why. We'll get that to you once we find out so we appreciate your patience.

The Red Team mushed to Skwentna where they stopped for almost four hours and are now headed towards Rainy Pass. Whether or not they will go all the way there and rest at the checkpoint or camp between is unknown at this point. The run from Skwenta to Rainy Pass is around 70 miles so Aliy may take them all the way which would then mean they rest in the heat of the day.

Allen and the Black Team didn't stop in Skwentna. Having stopped on the trail earlier for a couple of hours they spent just half and hour at the checkpoint to get supplies then camped on the other side for about four hours. This is probably a good move for the young team as the checkpoints in the early stages of the race are very busy and camping on the trail will give them more peace and quiet and a better chance at getting some rest. With the temperatures being so mild it is likely they had a very pleasant stop. The Northern Lights were out last night so the mushers would have enjoyed the scenery!

I'm working on the pictures from yesterday and will get them to you soon.