ID: Towards McGrath and Into Nikolai

RED TEAM UPDATE

The 16-strong Red Team (15 dogs, one Aliy) departed Nikolai at around 2pm after a four hour rest. They are on their way to McGrath checkpoint some 48 miles away. The trail takes them overland for the first half then on and off the Kuskokwim River for a while. As they have recently rested, Aliy may take the team straight through the checkpoint and onto Takotna just another 18 miles away - we'll have to wait and see on that but that seems to fit with her current run/rest schedule.

Watching the video of the team coming into Nikolai live was so fun! The dogs happily loped into the checkpoint with waggy tails and smiley faces. The line-up as they came in was Mismo and Kodiak in lead, Dutch and Chemo, Schmoe and Scruggs, Scout and Chipper, Waylon and Izzy, Willie is currently taking the lone spot on the line then Sandy is running with Commando and Clyde with Felix. Aliy has moved some of them around a bit so they have new running partners to mix it up and keep it fresh for them.

Once again, Sebastian Schnuelle captured magnificent pictures of them (and some other teams) coming in to the checkpoint.



Aliy was wearing her parka hood and we noticed some frost around her gator and on the dogs' faces so we were pleased to see it has cooled a little.

The Insider team interviewed Aliy as she was doing her chores and asked her what's the difference between Rohn and Nikolai for her to decide to stop at one and not the other. Her answer was, not surprisingly, that Nikolai came at a good time in her run/rest schedule - it was well spaced from her last camp and they get to rest in the warmth of the day. She said she doesn't really care if they stop in a checkpoint or not and said she has had a couple of really nice camp spots so far. She sleeps in her sleeping bag and bivvy sack and said that she decided not to stop in Rainy Pass at the last minute when she noticed so many planes going over head.

BLACK TEAM UPDATE

The Black Team pulled into Nikolai checkpoint at 3.11pm this afternoon and they are currently resting.

We're hearing some reports about what happened last night in the water at Happy River and that Allen helped a few other teams through! We are trying to get more information about that if we can but it does sound like Allen thorough, he probably thought: heck I'm already wet, why not?

We haven't had any confirmation yet about which Black Team member is on his or her way home.

MAC UPDATE

Linda said she is falling in love with Mac. He is such a big, gentle boy! He's doing very well and is off to Knik tomorrow.


Hey, where'd everyone go?; I think that bed may be too small for me!


Really? You want me to follow him?; Here Midnight, let me show you how it's done.