ID: AliyCam “Rainy Pass - Climbing to the Summit”

I have carried a hand held video camera on the race for years now. Honestly, I don't always think "Gez, this is gorgeous… I need to take a video!" But, I really did try to capture some amazing portions of the Iditarod Trail this year.
There are 13 videos in the ID: AliyCam 2016 Series.


The day was brilliant. The mountains were laid out all around us. I couldn’t help but record many minutes (and miles) as we climbed from the Rainy Pass Lodge Checkpoint, up into the mountain pass itself and then over the top. I could see teams off in the distance at times -- both in front and behind us. We kept a steady pace for much of the climb. On the steeper sections you will hear or see my ski poles as I helped the team with the ascent.

There is actually a metal sign demarcating the pass itself. I have passed directly by it some years and other years the trail goes far to the left or right of it. This year there were two people standing by the sign. I learned later that one of those folks was Iditarod photographer, Jeff Schultz. I only learned that was him when I asked him “Did you get any really good photos of my team this year?” He said “Yup, while summiting Rainy Pass.”
So, we’ll have to wait and see!