Author Archives: tundratech

Nikolai

Nikolai

Nikolai

Good Morning Race Fans!

As has happened many times before, Teams are following several “Jackrabbit” Teams that have leaped out in front on the way to Nikolai and the Kuskokwim River.

Aaron Burmeister was first into Nikolai this morning at 7:40am, followed by Ryan Redington at 8:15am. Aniak’s own Richie Diehl was in at 8:20am. While those Teams setup for a break, Brent Sass and Dallas Seavey checked in and out on their way to McGrath.

What we are seeing this morning is something we have seen many times. Longer runs and shorter breaks on the first part of the trail with Teams trying to gain an advantage time-wise before the 24 hour layover. It isn’t the most conservative strategy and we will see how those decisions pay off later in the race.

If you think of rest in terms of money in the bank, a conservative approach will be to keep your rest balance near to your run times. This rest in the bank approach is more conservative and seems to be what Pete has decided for this portion of the race. We call it a “Race” but really it’s a trail to Nome and there are over 700 miles of trail in front of Pete and the Team. A good rest balance can pay dividends when Teams hit the Unalakleet and the coast and the real “Race” to Nome.

It is so early now, that Pete will be keeping his position in the Top 20 and maintaining a good happy Team.

Weather for the day is warm again, but not the rain and slush here in Bethel. That may change as this warm front moves further up into the Interior. We are lucky that this is the Northern route which will route Teams as far as possible away from the warm weather.

Mushing Weather Forecast:

Today-Cloudy with a slight chance of snow. Highs in the lower 30s. Light winds.
Tonight-Mostly cloudy. A slight chance of light freezing rain and snow in the evening, then snow after midnight. Snow accumulation up to 1 inch. Lows in the lower 20s. Northeast winds to 10 mph.
Wednesday-Snow. A chance of freezing rain in the afternoon. Precipitation may be heavy at times in the afternoon. Snow accumulation of 3 to 4 inches. Highs in the lower 30s. Northeast winds 5 to 15 mph.

As the Kaiser Pit Crew made their way to Bethel, Pete and the Team also headed West today as well. The Monday after the Restart is always a bit challenging as we gather up and head for the airport. Checking the tracker and trying to get loaded up for Bethel always seems to take more time than it should.

Pete and the Team are sticking to a 6/4 run rest schedule that has them out of Rohn and headed towards Nikolai. It has been a warm day for mushing, but luckily temperatures this evening will keep Teams cool as they run and rest.

Expecting Teams to reach the Kuskokwim tomorrow and then, believe it or not, we will be talking about the 24 hour layover in McGrath.

Mushing Weather:

When it all comes down to it, Dogsled racing is really a celebration of the love we all have for these great talented animals. We all live vicariously through the relationships we see in the Mushers and their Teams. Watching Pete and his friends is really an amazing experience. While he is dedicated to this lifestyle, unfortunately it isn’t something that we, as Fans, can really dedicate in the same way. As such, it is really cool to be a part of not only the traditions of the sport, but also these awesome relationships that we get to see only a few times a year. I’m not sure if you notice, but I always capitalize Team. I do that on purpose to give respect to all of these great animals.

Yesterday as we prepared to leave Kaiser Central in Palmer, I spent some time shooting the group. Relaxed and happy in the shade, it was fun to just be around them. Our host, Doug Dorland, has adopted one of the retired Team members, Mosely and renamed her “Pickle”. A true couch potato, she has the run of the house and is just beautiful friend for him. Pete names his Team from different groups. Mosely is from the Boxing Litter. (Mosely- Hagler.. Etc)

Unfortunately I don’t have all of the names of this group. But enjoy them all the same!

Go TEAM Kaiser!!

Good Morning Team Kaiser!!

After all of the festivities are now complete, it’s time to get to business and start talking trail!

After leaving the Re-Start at 3:10pm, Pete and the Team ran about 5 hours and 30 minutes and took about a 4 hour break. Back on the trail at about 12:30am the Team ran another 5 hours and 30 minutes and are now camped about 6 miles before the Finger Lake checkpoint. A few Teams are doing the usual quick push up to Rainy Pass and into Rohn, but I’m expecting Mr. Kaiser to run a conservative race, especially in these warm temperatures and rough trail. I am also anticipating Pete to stay out of the checkpoints to hedge off any Covid concerns. Mushers will have been testing each day since arrival into Anchorage. There will be regular checks as well with the next one being in McGrath.

It’s hard to judge what temperatures Teams are seeing. Talkeenta is reporting 28 degrees while Rainy Pass is reporting -6. The forecast is for temperatures near 28 and light Northeast winds. The sun will be the real factor as we found yesterday in Willow. Temperatures were below the freezing mark, but the sun was pretty hot. Standing in the sun would warm you up in a minute. The Team was also feeling the heat as they are naturally insulated 🙂

A quick reminder that if you haven’t renewed, it’s time to get your Ultimate Plus subscription so you can watch the tracker along the way.

Excitement ahead! Go Team Kaiser!!

A little warm for Lucy in Willow! Sun was super warm for those of us from the Arctic!

Good Evening Race Fans and Welcome to the 2022 Race to Nome!

As we celebrate the 50th running of Joe Redington’s dream, everyone is happy! The mushers and Teams are happy to be out on the trail and Fans that came out to watch the Restart in Willow are happy as well– It was a beautiful day! You couldn’t ask for a nicer day to get back to Dog Sled racing. After a year off to fend off Covid, thousands of fans packed the chute to see all of the Teams head out for Nome. This year Teams will take the northern route up through Cripple and Ruby and then downstream to Kaltag.

Pete was as relaxed as I’ve seen him for a Restart, although after 12 previous races, Team Kaiser pulls off the tasks like a well oiled machine. The day wasn’t without a few bumps in the road, as a car accident on the road caused Pete and the Team to arrive at the dog lot after everyone else had already arrived. In short order the ramp was down and dogs tied up and ready to get this party started.

Kaiser Racing is not only blessed with a great group of sponsors which I’ll talk about later, but we have the best pit crew in racing! Year after year we all meet up to make it happen and have a great time as well. Rain or snow, warm or cold, everyone knows their role and pitches in to help out. This year we have a special NEW member making his first run as handler– Ari Kaiser!! It was a very proud moment for all of us to watch him take a lead and run out with the other handlers!

Here are the photos of Pete and the Team leaving Willow! Welcome to the the Iditarod Trail!

WOW! What a deluge of SNOW! Teams had to be at the 4th Avenue in Anchorage by 8am this morning. A light snow greeted Race Fans, but by the 10am Start it was really coming down!

I always love the Iditarod Ceremonial Start! I hate to say it, but it really doesn’t mean much in terms of strategy or competition, but it is a celebration of dog sled mushing and the Fans Love It! Seeing old friends, past Ididariders, and all of the beautiful Teams. It really is something!

This year our Iditarider was Harmon Hall, one of our great sponsors from Halibut Cove Live. Harmon came early with his son Dan Hall, President of Knik Construction. Dan’s normal job is building roads, airports and more. This morning he took up the shovel and was chief Poop scooper. They both had a great time and were great to be around.

Tomorrow begins the real challenge and Pete is taking one last night of relaxation as he readies to hit the trail tomorrow from Willow. The weather is supposed to improve, so if you are driving be careful as we get under way on the 2022 Iditarod!

Here are the Ceremonial Start photos! Go Team Kaiser!