10 Mushers Scratch from Trail Injuries

As reported earlier, the trail through the  Dalzell Gorge and through the Farewell Burn was snowless and dangerous.  If the Iditarod Trail Committee realized how dangerous they would have re routed the trail, but it is what it is.  It was sad to watch Dee Dee Jonrowe talk about why she was scratching....her wounds were not viewable but she said she was beat up in the gorge pretty bad....and that she knew she was not strong enough to handle her Team with what she now heard was in front of her.  Berkowitz scratched as well when his sled was busted beyond repair.  Scott Janssen reported broke his leg.  Burmiester is continuing with a brace on his blown acl knee.  74 year old Jim Lanier who was wearing a helmet with "for Brent" written on the sides said he was being dragged by his Team when his head hit a stump hard.  He was thankful for the helmet and scratched in Rohn after being terrified in the gorge.  Hans Gatt kissed a tree and slashed his face.....the first aid technicians in Nikolia used glue and a butterfly bandage to put him back together.  Terrified and dangerous were two words mushers were using to describe their ordeal.  Even 2 time champ Sorlie said the trail was too dangerous to run, and feels lucky he came through with only bruises.  His sled broken in places.....but most mushers have replacement sleds strategically placed at checkpoints right outside the Alaskan Range....but the trick was to survive to this point to switch up!  This Iditarod will go down to the most dangerous running of the Alaskan range ever.  Now with that part of the trail behind. The front runners, they can enjoy a snow covered fast trail to Nome.  I'm still waiting to hear what the trail along the Yukon looks like.  Let's hope for safe ice with only some overflow on top.  The Yukon is where Busers Team slowed to a crawl last year  it will be interesting to see what happens this year....but we will have to wait till the weekend to find out!