Scene Around The Iditarod Checkpoint

We are in a hard number data void at Iditarod checkpoint since we have no internet connection. The most successful communication tool is ham radio, which survives even when our generators sputter and die in minus 20F temperatures, a rubber oil line cracking in the cold.

But, we are rich in impressions. At the checkpoint, race leaders Mackey, Gebhardt, et al wait for the arrival of the pursing pack, led by a tall, lithe newcomer to the front echelon named Zach Steer. While the mushers at Iditarod are lounging, recharging for twenty four hours, Steer and his older mentors Jeff King and Martin Buser, are steadily advancing from their 24 hour mandatory taken in Ophir.

This the grand convergence, the moment of truth, for the dedicated fan. Mathematically, times are adjusted at the 24 hour mandatory to compensate for different start times. After the 24 hour break, all mushers are equal on time. The only thing that is not equal is the place where the 24 is taken——a great management tool for the musher, who may opt to give the huskies a glorious break of 24 hours in any checkpoint, except of course the last.

But here is the catch. A musher, if he or she choses, can often bump a rest stop, or abbreviate a rest stop, after the 24 hour because, of course, the dogs are well rested. This creates the illusion, for example, that Steer, King, and Buser are running well ahead of Mackey in Iditarod. In fact, Mackey can pull the same trick later tonight when he leaves about 2;30 AM and vaults quickly to the front again.

The unanswered question is how fast can the pursuers make it to Iditarod. Can they make it one giant run of 11 hours, or must they stop and rest the dogs, making the total run 15 or 16 hours? At noon, our helicopter arrived and reported Zach Steer (and company) just short of half-way. Quickly we computed that he is on average schedule with a six hour run. Will they take a rest midway, say of four hours, or continue to Iditarod in one giant run, to arrive in Unalakleet well ahead of Mackey and company?

Meanwhile Mackey subconsciously waits for the commotion of an arriving dog team later this evening. Ideally,Steer, King, and Buser will be on schedule to match Mackey when he is released from his 24 hour mandatory sometime around 2:30am Friday morning.

Amongst volunteers and officials here at Iditarod, the arrival of Steer , King and Buser , is a point of interest. The entire race will come into focus tonight at Iditarod checkpoint.

Trail to Shageluk

Reports from Iditarod trailbreakers on snowmachines indicate the trail to Shageluk is hard packed and good—-great information for Lance Mackey.