Karens North Wapiti Siberians

Every team has fans, but some draw more than others. Karen's North Wapiti pure bred Siberians always draw the photographers, not the least of which is me.

Karen said, "Take a photo of Charge and send it to June, with the tag: "Mark! Charge IS being QUIET! "

So here it is (and I'll send it separately to you, June and Donna :)

SPK dog views

Some shots of the SPK Finger Lake Fan Group with Allen's dogs (SPK is Skunks' Place Kennel in Two Rivers, Aliy Zirkle/Allen Moore)





Aliy's uncles, Bob and Toebe, were with Mike and me in Finger Lake.



First two are of the team getting settled.


Last photo is with the volunteer checking urine samples on the dogs, but it's a photo!

Aliy in Rohn

ALIY IS IN ROHN!

As soon as I post this, she'll move I imagine, but nice to see her in 4th position right now, in Rohn, past Rainy Pass and the high winds. We hear there is no snow on the Burn... anyone know for sure?

Aliy already into Finger Lake

Aliy got to Finger Lake at 4:25 AM, fast trails! Buser was in at 4:30 out at 4:35; looks like Aliy and Mackey and Brooks are sticking around a bit, but think we'll miss her as she probably won't rest more than 5 hours (if that).

It was Mackey , into Finger at 3:30 AM; Brooks into Finger at 4:25; Aliy, 4:25 ; Buser at 4:30.

Few more restart photos

A few more photos around Aliy's truck at Restart. I got a photo of Allen's dogs but lighting wasn't great.

Out of Skwentna

Checking out of Skwentna (some of them): Sorlie was out at 21.53; Aliy was 5th , out at 23:04 and looks to have rested enroute (guessing from her speed); Lance out at 23:55. Aaron B was 1st out.
We're leaving for Finger Lake at 8AM (weather permitting). Not sure with these speeds if we'll get to see her, trail is fast.

Check: www.cabelas.com often for their updates. Also, www.iditarod.com and www.dogsled.com.

Finally on their way

Just looking at the Yentna postings, looks like the trail was very fast into Yentna, some 14 + mph runs; the Start chute was a little punchy,, but not too bad and as one can see in these photos, the teams are 'booking" to get out there. Aliy's team has Bullet (brown) and looks like ? Pingo in lead.

Restart; Busy Dog Lot

It's great having the whole dog lot on the lake, with no difficult downhill on which to hold back avid dogs. The mountain (Denali ) was "out" but subdued with haze. It may show up in some photos.

When we started out, it was minus two with almost no wind; once out on the lake a bit, the wind picked up and it was quite cold, even though the temps were around ten degrees. Spectators made a mass exodus after about 20 teams had taken off.

Photos:
Top left, Mouse, running with Allen (Frita's daughter); Top right, Aliy's truck with family,
Uncle Toebe, Uncle Bob, Aliy, Ray on top of truck getting sleds, and other well wishers;
Mid left, view of start chute prior to race; Mid right, Serbian team 77, David Monson in group;
Bottom left, Dean Osmar looks at Aliy's rope gangline. We have other good photos of Ray R, Jr.,
Martin Buser, etc but right now the server is being selective about what will upload.

Layering for Alaskan Cold

Everything in this photo will be on me as I fly to Finger Lake tomorrow and most of it to go to Willow today.

Listing:

Underlayer: wicking expedition weight long underwear pants and crew neck expedition wicking shirt; lightweight t-neck wicking overshirt; windshirt on top layer. Depending on temp, possibly small wool sweater on top layer, over windshirt.

Outer layer: Couloir one piece insulated suit with many pockets. Down over jacket in small stuff sack. Each pocket has a purpose: musher listing, keys, camera, money, cell phone, Kleenex, extra handwarmers.

Feet: 40 below wool blend socks. Full foot heaters in bottom of Steger Mukuks. OR over boots for warmth/wind . Extra pair of socks in pack. Protracker ice grippers for over boots. (in pack)

Hands: Windproof liner fleece gloves with Toasti toes pasted on inside upper glove. Down insulated Gordini mittens AND gloves (one pair in backpack for change).

Head cover: Windproof Seirus balaclava (head and neck); Beaver fur over hat; wool cap
(in backpack). Extra neck warmer (in case wet) in backpack.

Backpack: Small size for carryon on small plane. Includes : climbers foods, quick energy gels and bars; insulated (small foldup) aluma blanket (used it one year in Finger Lake); extra hand and foot warmers, dry gloves, dry socks, sunglasses, cameras (one disposable in case others freeze up). Small bottle water. Wet Ones (small pack).

Restart and Links to websites

Today is the Restart in Willow. We'll drive up in our 4x4 vehicle and hope to get some good films. Mike is working on his writeups for his paper and did have a chance to visit with Rachael Scdoris yesterday (both from Oregon). Once again the Start was very friendly and we had a chance to visit with many mushers. Thanks Eric's caterer for the GREAT HOT COFFEE!!

Attaching one more photo of Karen's neat dog truck.

June Price's photo of Tekla, Susan Butcher's daughter, on the honorary sled yesterday is beautiful and is available at Theresa Daly's website: http://www.dogsled.com/iditarod/susan-butchers-daughter-leads-off-iditarod-2007.html I enjoy that site very much throughout the dog year and keep it as a shortcut on my desktop.

We're enjoying all Alaska has to offer... today hopefully some views of Denali enroute, some great interaction with mushers in the more serious , "real" start . Last night we had a good dinner, complete with corn fritters at the Sourdough.

I did see the video of the KTUU photographer being yanked off his start sled by his camera cable and his TV colleagues had a great time ribbing him about it. OUCH!

More Start Photos

Since I was a Security Guard at 4th and H, it was hard for me to get too many photos as SO many people wanted to come in the chute this year (no, no, there are dog teams moving out there ). But I did get a few nice photos. Our section hosted a lot of great teams:
Aliy Zirkle, Ray Redington, Jr.; Hans Gatt; Jason Barron; Bennie Stamm; Mitch Seavey;
Martin Buser; Dee Dee Jonrowe; Eric Rogers and many more. It was a very busy day for spectators as well. I think I won't work tomorrow and may get some nice photos on the lake at Willow.

Mike was media and he did get some great photos, including the Butcher/Monson family in their honorary sled. We'll get them a bit later.

P.S. People have the darnedest excuses why they MUST cross the street NOW , in front of
the moving teams, trying to each hold back 16 dogs. The sleds were skidding, I think Jeff King flipped and I saw several others. Also heard the TV cameraman got yanked right out of his sled ride as he was still hooked to a cable as his 16 took off... I wasn't there but heard it was a bit of a surprise to all.

Photos: Ray Redington, Jr.; Kaz Zirkle booting up :) Note: The Lobbens boots(gray or red) are very popular with mushers, then covered with Neo overboots; Ray and retired leader, Rubia supervising the team; (her scarf says, "Bark if you're Irish"); Joanne Potts, Race Director.

A Few Iditarod Start Photos

Photos:
Bruce Milne and Mike; Bennie Stamm; Aliy leads her team; Karen and Mark at takeoff.

Great dogs; sled prep; stark airport

We paid a quick visit to the great dogs and Aliy and Allen this a.m. They're relaxed and completely organized, with gear laid out for loading in sleds.

The Discovery Channel film man was there and we did try to get him on our flight to Finger Lake, but no such luck, all full. At last check, he was able to find a bush pilot to take him for a reasonable fee.

We stopped out at Rust Air and finalized plans for Monday, weather permitting. The winds are still quite fierce but the temps are moderating a bit.

Photos, at last can add

Mike has much better photos than I do, and I'll have them available later on, but for now, sharing some of the nice visits last night.

Photos: Aliy tells Mike about the time she saw the Roger Rabbit like policeman on one side of the trail, bright blue ,and the red fireman, on the other side; Robert Sorlie and Sigrid await their bib draws; Alice Stamm enjoys the banquet; Sonny Lindner and Doug Zirkle .

Photos

Photos:

Ramy Brooks and Julie; David Monson and Julie; Tom Roig (in Millennium); Allen Moore and Ray Crow

Banquet photos, maybe?

Photos: Aliy and Gwen

Ray, Jr and Mike

Julia R and baby, Ellen

Musher Banquet

The annual Musher Banquet was somewhat shorter! last night, but full of interesting people and anecdotes, intro's by sponsors, and finally the Musher Bib Draw. (possibly no one else will agree it was shorter , but it was most enjoyable, however Allen WAS 2nd last to choose his bib and our loyal table cheered him as he went up to draw his Rookie Year Bib. ) The dogs are ready, Aliy and Allen look very fit and great! and happy!
Go Aliy and Allen!! Aliy will be Bib 16 and Allen is Bib 71.

We enjoyed being a part of the with all of their family/friends. ... Mickey and Doug, Kaz and Ray, Jeanne Reilly , Uncles Toebe and Bob, Mike and me.

The most poignant , solemn part of the evening was the honoring of Susan Butcher as the Honorary Musher and listening to David, her husband, accept the honor. Tekla and Chisana will be in sled number one as it leaves the chute on Saturday, after which David and Tekla will take teams from Manley to Nome. It was my honor to be able to have a short visit with David on the way out of the arena. I am grateful to Susan for my dogs over the years and for her wonderful mentoring, as I've said before.

I am equally grateful now to Aliy for her dogs and her mentoring. What a lucky kennel we !are to have been included in this world.

Also, we had great visits with Bennie and Alice Stamm, who will retire this year and in this small, small world to learn that young Kevin Neher , whom we've known since he first got into mushing, has bought Bennie's team. Bennie is Bib 15.

I did get a nice opportunity to speak with Sonny Lindner about his wonderful dogs from Susan's kennel, with Ramy Brooks , a wonderful young man, with Ray Redington and Julia (and to meet baby Ellen, who is the spitting image of her Great Grandma Vi Redington!). There were many other conversations , just drawing us all together in such a great spirit of this dog inspired world.
Of course, our Iditarod family, Gwen and her daughter, Karin and husband Varin are especially fun to see, if only once a year.

Real Alaskan Weather

Now we have it, wind chills of minus thirty five, gusting winds just knocked out the power.
Are the mushers looking forward to this on 4th Avenue ? None of us are , but the predictions say more of the same.

It's an interesting day today as mushers, present and past mingled throughout the Millennium,
Dick Mackey, Louis Nelson and Jesse Royer conversed in one corner, while Sonny Lindner and Doug Zirkle (Aliy's dad ) let me grab a photo of them. Karen Ramstead caught up with the Iditasupport gang as well and Mike enjoyed meeting her.

We seriously shopped for outdoor gear today, bettering what we had because of the low windchills. Fortunately sales were 50 % off at 6th Ave Outfitters.

Mike looks great in his sheared beaver and coyote hat, but the great thing is he needs it and it IS warm! We'll have to stand outside a bit at the banquet so we're dressing for it.