After a 4 hour rest by Joar, and a 4.5 hour rest by Mitch, they hit the trail to chase Nic Petit to Unalakleet! Joar still has 13 dogs, Mitch dropped another one in Kaltag and is now down to 12 dogs.
These 2 left within minutes of each other, and are presently 15 miles behind Nic. They all seem to be traveling about the same speed, 6-7 mph. I believe the trail goes uphill out of Kaltag, so that might explain the speed.
The trail from Kaltag to Unalakleet is an ancient portage route, linking the interior with the Bering Sea Coast. The Alaskan Natives on the coast are Inupuit (Eskimo), while the interior Alaskan Natives are Athabaskan (Indians). For hundreds of years these 2 Native peoples used the portage route for trading. Seal skins, seal oil, walrus skin rope and ivory were traded for furs from the interior. Sidney Huntingtons book "Shadows on the Koyukuk" is a must read for anyone intrigued by this area. Its a true story, and one of the best books I have ever read.
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