Pete and the Team were into Koyuk early this morning at 4:02am after spending a bit over 8 hours on the trail from Shaktoolik last night. Followed closely by Ken Anderson, Team Kaiser arrived in 9th position.
Things look a bit less optimistic on the trail to the West from Koyuk this morning. Teams are struggling and trail times show it. Last year Dallas Seavey took 5 and a half hours to make the trip to Elim from Koyuk. Last night’s journey took almost 2 hours longer and other teams are making the trip in over 8 hours. Currently Dallas and his Team are half-way between Elim and White Mountain and it is looking like they will be close to the trail time of Mike Williams Jr. last year. Kaiser Fans will remember last year Mike Jr. set out from Elim in a horrible storm with near Hurricane force winds on one of the worst trails in history. Glare ice and craziness had musher scratching and clawing to move forward over Golovin Bay.
Something is up on that trail this morning, also known for unexpected winds and “blow holes” along the way. Forecast is calling for fog so visibility could be the factor.
Surely Pete will be watching these times once he awakes from his rest period later this morning. I am expecting a 6-8 hour break before Team Kaiser returns to the trail.
Mushing Weather Forecast for today:
SOUTHERN SEWARD PENINSULA COAST- INCLUDING...NOME...WHITE MOUNTAIN...GOLOVIN 259 AM AKDT TUE MAR 17 2015 .TODAY...MOSTLY CLOUDY. SCATTERED SNOW SHOWERS BECOMING ISOLATED IN THE AFTERNOON. AREAS OF FOG. HIGHS IN THE TEENS TO LOWER 20S. NORTHEAST WINDS TO 10 MPH.
