Unalakleet Looking East
After an almost 6 hour break, Pete and the Team are off on the way to Unalakleet. It’s a crystal clear day in Western Alaska today, but winds are starting to kick up with the approaching storm moving in from the south. Whether it will be a factor remains to be seen as often the first storms after a long high pressure stretch, weaken quickly and are less of a factor. I am expecting winds, but at this point visibility should stay great for the near term. If you look below, you will see the approaching storm from the south, but pay close attention to the clouds in the center of Alaska- They aren’t moving. Like a big boulder, the air mass is resistive to any change. The byproduct is wind, so stay tuned. The battle of weather is about to begin.
Pete and the Team are out in 10th position. Several Teams have made the decision to resist the temptation and not stop at Kaltag on the way to Unalakleet from Nulato. These Team will make a camp stop on the trail.
It’s tough camping on the trail in the cold and wind. Hugh Neff on his way into Kaltag mentioned he was a bit tired of the Yukon Quest-like, -45F temps this morning.
It is a tough 85 miles, the last longest stretch of the race, to Unalakleet. A 6 hour break in Kaltag is making me wonder if Pete and the Team are bound for Unalakleet direct. Shore up the rest and get warm in Kaltag and make out for the Unalakleet checkpoint where a great meal awaits. Of course it all depends on the Team, but I’m sure Pete also saw the weather reports, and getting across the portage sooner than later probably key on his mind this morning.
Currently it is a bit warmer in Unalakleet at -4F but the East winds are blowing at 22 gusting to 26knots giving a wind chill of -30F. Luckily the wind is at their backs, but it is still going to be a bit blustery for our favorite group of dogs and Musher today.
Go Team Kaiser!!
