Pete and the Team are now out of Shaktoolik on the trail for Koyuk. Weather cams show low visibilities have moved in and the wind is again a factor. News from the trail is that Pete is reluctant to push this young Team too hard and a longer break was needed to prepare for the long trail across the ice. In low visibilities, the trail can sometimes be seen easier as the reflectors light up in the dark. What is white in the day, is a foggy haze that actually can be seen better for the Musher and Team.
Pete was out of Shaktoolik at 7:45pm with 11 in the Team. It’s an all nighter tonight as the 8 to 9 hour run will be tough for Man and Team. Miles and Miles of Miles and little to make it known you are even moving. The lights seem to just sit still as the hours go by across the ice. I can write about it, but only Pete can tell us how it truly feels. It’s going to be mentally challenging, but the advantage is this 6th run across. That will make it just a bit easier.
Go Team Kaiser!
What started as a really pretty nice day has deteriorated a bit.
Koyuk Weather presently –
Temperature 12F – Visibility 2miles – Wind NE @ 10-14knots – Overcast Skies 2400ft – Light Snow.
Shaktoolik Weather presently –
Temperature 16F – Visibility 7 – Wind Northeast at 10-14knots – Overcast Skies 2400ft – Light Snow.
Mushing Weather forecast for this evening:
EASTERN NORTON SOUND AND NULATO HILLS- INCLUDING...UNALAKLEET...STEBBINS...ST MICHAEL...ELIM...KOYUK... SHAKTOOLIK 313 PM AKDT MON MAR 16 2015 .TONIGHT...PERIODS OF SNOW. AREAS OF FOG. SNOW ACCUMULATION OF 1 TO 2 INCHES. LOWS 10 TO 15 ABOVE. EAST WINDS 10 TO 20 MPH BECOMING SOUTHEAST TO 10 MPH LATE IN THE NIGHT.
Iditarod Trail description:
There is only one thing to say about this leg—bleak, flat, and deadly monotonous. Locals say the actual distance is under 50 miles, but it always seems like a hundred. There is not so much as a shrub on this stretch, most of which is over the sea ice of Norton Bay. Plan on five to nine hours for the crossing, more if the wind is blowing hard.
The trail runs almost due north from Shaktoolik, overland across very low rolling terrain for about nine miles to Reindeer Cove, then across the ice for five miles to Island Point, then back onto the ice immediately for the last 45 miles to Koyuk. There are no hills.
The trail is also the main snowmachine trail to Koyuk and is well used. However, winds can wipe it smooth in hours. It is well marked with Iditarod trail stakes, spruce boughs, or both. The trail can range from a groomed speedway to rough ice to drifted snow to glare ice. The wind is usually blowing, and almost always right in your face. Days with less than 20 or 30 mph breezes are uncommon. The wind can blow at hurricane velocity out here and ground blizzards can reduce visibility to zero in minutes. You MUST check the weather carefully before heading out. If you get caught in a storm on the ice, you will be in very serious trouble.
Another problem is that some dogs are put off by the white expanse and won’t go or will try to turn back. Every year teams stall here; some drivers are able to get their teams going after a rest, and some can get their leaders to follow another team across. Some have to scratch. This is where a “coast leader” is invaluable; these are leaders used to running in this environment and who aren’t fazed by winds or wide-open spaces.
