Iditarod Summer 1922
It’s been a long day on the Trail for Team Kaiser. The southern route of the Iditarod has a couple of sections that really are “out there” and the trail from Takotna to the Yukon is one of them. The scenery is beautiful, but it is a long arduous journey. After resting enroute about halfway to Iditarod with Richie Diehl and Aliy Zirkle, Pete is now about about to reach Iditarod and I would think at about a 4 hour break.
Richie Diehl’s Team is showing outstanding times and has pulled in front of Pete by a couple of miles.
Iditarod will be a welcome break for Teams before heading to Shageluk. Nic Petit, whose Team has been winning 300 mile races this year, struck out in front of Teams resting in the checkpoint. Musher Joar Leifseth-Ulsom, who reached the checkpoint first, may have gambled and lost as he cannot leave the checkpoint for a few more hours. He will, however, have a fully rested Team and the next challenge awaits all of the Teams as they leave Grayling up through Eagle Island to Kaltag. This trail could be a kicker as well, and a conservative approach is still more than likely a good strategy even now as we reach the halfway point in the race.
The storm I have been watching looks like it will rear its head this evening and tomorrow calls for wind. Teams are going to be running up the Yukon into the wind. Oh doesn’t that sound like fun!! I would anticipate windchills well below zero and visibility being an issue. Front runners will have their work cut out for them as this storm looks like it will be here for the run to Kaltag.
Pete and the Team are used to wind, and temperatures shouldn’t be too bad, so they won’t be surprised.
Go team Kaiser!
