Trio Report – Up the Coast Into Shaktoolik

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Pete and the Team were into Shaktoolik at 20:50 with a great Trail time of 5 hours and 27 minutes. He was followed in just a bit later by Richie and his Team at 21:20 with a trail time of 5 hours and 43 minutes. Mike Jr. is now out out of Unalakleet after a good long break to rest his dogs for the run to Nome. The Kusko Teams are doing a fine job on this section of the course so far. Most other mushers have taken 4-6 hours in Shaktoolik knowing they will have a tough run up to Koyuk. The trail normally crosses Koyuk Bay, but this year veers off due to ice conditions and the trail is about 10 miles longer than usual.

Given the conditions, I am thinking they will stay 5-6 hours before heading North to Koyuk. That would put them into Koyuk in mid Morning. I always think of this section of the race because a couple of years ago Pete and the Team passed Mitch Seavey while Pete was completely asleep. Fun Memories.

Mushing Weather Report Tonight-

INCLUDING...UNALAKLEET...STEBBINS...ST MICHAEL...ELIM...KOYUK...
SHAKTOOLIK
223 PM AKDT SUN MAR 9 2014

.TONIGHT...MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS 5 TO 15 BELOW. NORTHEAST WINDS 10
TO 20 MPH.

Here are some great shots from Andy Angstman this morning of Pete, Mike, and Richie in the Unalakleet checkpoint. Thanks Andy!

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Eye on the Trail – Nikolai Students Interview Richie.

This is from yesterday, but we just got it in. Thanks to the Students from Marcus Ackerman’s class at the Top of the Kuskokwim school in Nikolai. Believe it or not, I lived in Nikolai as a first grader when it was a two room schoolhouse. My dad was the Principal teacher there in 1970.

Thanks Kids!

Let’s Listen in to our future reporters!

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KNOM Nikolai Reports – Laureli Gets Her Sound Byte

Yesterday I reported that Pete was leaving Nikolai beaten but still in it. I was speculating of course as we had not word from anyone. Based on what everyone else was doing, I couldn’t imagine anything else. But I was pretty far off. The Kusko Trio seems have come through the first part of the trail almost unscathed. Go Guys!! Nice Job!

Arguably the best reporter on the Iditarod beat, Laureli Kineen with KNOM always gives our guys the attention they deserve. I want to personally say how thankful I am for her interest, as Iditarod seems only concerned with the top 5 or so mushers into checkpoints. While that is well and good and really all that they can logistically do, there are SO many mushers back in the pack whose stories could and should be told. All of the mushers on the trail have invested their lives in this race and I am hopeful someday we come to a mutual resolution to this issue. (Like the ability for a musher to call someone from a checkpoint to tell their story – Phone Interviews are Great!! – See how we do it at Team19ak.com)

In any case, off my soapbox–

Laureli spent time with all 3 mushers in Nikolai. I love her reporting because she always asks the right questions and gets these guys, who are notorious for not speaking, to tell their story:

Pete

Richie

Click the photo or Here to head over to KNOM and read the whole story!

In Nikolai, Kaiser and Diehl survey terrible trail behind them  KNOM Radio Mission - Google Chrome 352014 91845 AM

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