Trail Conditions Poor

According to the Iditarod website, the trail conditions are once again punchy. This explains why Kings big dogs had problems on the trail to Elim. He was in the lead, then pulled over and Mitch passed him. They say its like a bottomless sugar bowl.....and what is odd is both Mitch and Aliy tracked towards the beach instead of the trail over notorious Lil McKinley. It's possible the trail was too punchy to even try using it to go up and over the steep hillside. Mitch is back on the trail as plotted on the GPS.....Aliy trails by 4 miles and is making her way back onto the trail as plotted. Aliy is at mile 838 and Mitch at mile 842.