Nic was the first into Kaltag with a very animated team! He stayed just under 6 hours and is now on his way to Unalakleet and the Bering Seas Coast! He left with 13 dogs and is presently at mile 656 running 7 mph.
They interviewed Nic in Kaltag, and for the second time he mentioned running about 12 miles outside Grayling and then laying down for a nap with his lead dog. He didn't even know Mitch passed him while he was sleeping...it was Joar who woke him up. In this interview he said he stopped because he felt it was not wise to run in the heat of the day....so he pulled over and what is unclear is did he mean to stay that long? He basically gave up his 4-5 hour lead to Mitch and Joar with this extended nap. In any event, he doesn't appear to be kicking himself at all about it. He just feels the Team enjoyed the rest and he did to, and guess what, he is still first into Kaltag!
Then Mitch came in just short of 2 hours after Nic. Mitch just looks tired, forever hunched over his sled handlebars. You could tell he didn't like talking to the camera....and scurried off to fetch water for his dogs away from the camera. Mitch's Team looked good, but not as animated and jumping and barking like Nic's was.
Joar followed Mitch in almost 20 minutes later, and his Team seemed to have some more spunk compared to Mitch's Team....barking and screaming. Joar signed in and got the dogs bedded down. He is so soft spoken it hard to tell what he is saying sometimes in the interview....but I'm sure Joar is pleased with his Team.
Next into the checkpoint was Richie Diehl, Pete Kaiser and Ray Redington.According to the stats, this trio has not taken their 8 hour rest.....I dont think that is the case....I believe they took their 8 and the stats have not been updated. Its a totally voluntary crew for this race, and sometimes in the night things get missed....cant blame them....but Im pretty sure they already served out their 8.
The rest of the chase pack is still out on the Yukon. Its hard to say what Teams will do when they arrive at Kaltag, as the wind has been difficult on the Yukon and its been a while to be at a checkpoint. Might be hard to pass up a checkpoing and camp again down the trail. At the checkpoints there is hot water and maybe a hot meal. I'm not sure what Kaltag has to offer but its more than what a shelter cabin has. BUT, then again, it will be quieter away from the checkpoint, which will result in better rest for the dogs.
OK.....so the tracker is showing:
Travis Beals just getting to the checkpoint of Kaltag, mile 652
Wade Marrs right behind Travis into Kaltag
Burmeister running at mile 649
Ramey Smyth runnng at mile 644
Lindwood Fiedler running at mile 639
Aliy Zirkle running at mile 637
Hugh Neff running at mile 634
Mats Petterson running at mile 630
Ketil Reitan running at mile 630
Matt Hall resting at mile 629 (Rookie) - FYI nearest Rookie to Matt is Jessie Holmes resting at mile 585
Royer running at mile 629
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