Early morning at Happy Trails today. Martin and Rohn were up at 4:30am. Kennel crew helped feed and load 20 dogs and they were off to Cantwell by 5:30 am. The Denali Doubles is the brainchild of Jeff King. Two mushers/one dog team!!! The race follows the Denali Highway, which is open to vehicles in the summer. Cold temps are in store for the racers and we can all follow along as mushers will carry Spot trackers.
Being involved in this race was a last minute decision. We were contacted about an opening and the guys decided this might just fit perfectly into the training program since the conditions around here have been doable but quite bumpy and icy. Plus, the fun factor ranked high. The crew here worked together to make sure all the bases were covered and so we're all off to a new experience. Our friend Perk is once again, filling in as the 12th man and will help out when the Buser boys are out on the trail - together, 2 sleds and 20 dogs. Follow along at Denali Doubles Invitational Sled Dog Race.
Just received from Mark Nordman, Race Director of Iditarod
As of today, we are still planning on having an acceptable trail starting in Willow and going over the Alaska Range to Nome. We do have trail concerns from the top of Rainy Pass to Nikolai. Because of these concerns, a contingency plan will be used if the Alaska Range conditions are not acceptable. On February 17, a decision will be made whether the Restart will be in Willow or Fairbanks.
The area through the Dalzelle Gorge appears to be the major problem. This area is notorious on a good snow year as the trail travels along and crosses over a fast moving stream that rarely freezes solid.
The Fairbanks ReStart happened once before in 2003. It was nicknamed the "River Race" as the trail went on the Nenana River, the Tanana River then covered all the checkpoints on the Yukon River - Ruby to Anvik and back to Kaltag before heading to Unalakleet.
February 17 will be a big day in the Iditarod World.
Photo above was taken heading into the gorge last year.
Called "Food Drops" because they are large grain type bags filled with supplies and food that are sent out by airplane and dropped off at the checkpoints. They are not dropped out of the ariplane. These Food Drop bags are labeled by checkpoint name and musher name and include all supplies and food the musher might need for the various stops along the way. Preparing the food drops starts months before the day they are packed. Dog meat, bought it 50 pound blocks, has beenprecut on a band saw to allow for easy digestion.
The large bags are delivered to the Iditarod Trail committee in Anchorage where shipment to the checkpoints is completed.
This is a huge operation at the kennel level then at the Iditarod Trail Committee level.
We are starting the process of packing our bags. Photos the bags and some of the items that go in the bags.
Each year, musher Dad, Roh Kairser, makes the trophy for the Kusko 300. This year's is especially detailed and we will display it proudly at Happy Trails. Our tour visitors enjoy the uniqueness of these trophies.
If you'd like a little excitement preNFL showdown, follow these two on the tracker at:
http://kaiserracing.com/2014-k300-tracker/
Also read race insights from Kaiser Racing Home Page.
Jeff King is about the toughest, most seasoned Kusko racer out there. He is vying for his tenth Kusko win, hence he chose starting number 10. These last 50 miles will be a battle.
Martin appears to have given the younger dogs on his team an extra hour of rest in Kalskag. I think he has a few dogs he'd like to add to his Iditarod line up in the team and is playing it conservative at this point.
Whatever the outcome, Rohn has done some amazing racing this year and is showing a deep understanding of the dogs he's working with.
