After a great run into Unalakleet and a rest in that checkpoint which is almost their second home, Pete and the Team are back out on the trail to the North. Just three weeks ago, Team Kaiser sprinted to victory after a storm shortened the Norton Sound 450. Tonight they travel on trail that they know very well. (Maybe they’ll even find the GPS that they lost along the way in the NS450) Unalakleet to Koyuk via Shaktoolik is 83 miles. (Similar to today’s distance) The trail heavily traveled, so it should be hard and fast.
Word from the trail is that in light of a finish that may not meet his initial expectations, Pete is pretty upbeat and pragmatic. A win may not be in the cards, but a good finish isn’t out of the question. The race has several hundred miles to go and Team Kaiser is in it for the long haul!
The trail north will follow the coast as well as some of the hills along the coast into Shaktoolik. Then, out onto the ice of Norton Bay into the village of Koyuk. Last year, while Pete was asleep at the reigns, the Team took the initiative and passed Mitch Seavey as they made their way to Koyuk.
Tonight’s mushing weather doesn’t look all that bad. Southwest winds on their backs over the ice will be downright nice. Of course never trust a forecast in this part of Alaska.
Tonight’s Forecast-
EASTERN NORTON SOUND AND NULATO HILLS- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...UNALAKLEET...STEBBINS...ST MICHAEL... ELIM...KOYUK...SHAKTOOLIK 329 PM AKDT SUN MAR 10 2013 .TONIGHT...CLOUDY WITH SCATTERED SNOW SHOWERS IN THE EVENING...THEN CLEARING. PATCHY FOG. LOWS 5 TO 10 ABOVE. NORTHWEST WINDS 5 TO 15 MPH BECOMING SOUTHWEST LATE IN THE NIGHT. .MONDAY...MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE LOWER TO MID TEENS. LIGHT WINDS. .MONDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS ZERO TO 5 ABOVE. LIGHT WINDS. .TUESDAY...SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 20S. NORTHEAST WINDS TO 10 MPH.
