Back on the Trail to Puntilla

After watching Pete for several years, one thing you have to know is if he is anything, he is methodical. Stick to the game plan seems to be his unspoken mantra. After a 3 hr 30 minute break in Finger Lake, the Team is headed off to Puntilla. Weather is still warm, but luckily it’s not sunny so it will stay a bit cooler than if they were running in the sun.

Given the breaks he has taken so far, I anticipate he running through Puntilla (30 miles) and into Rohn (48 miles) for a 78 mile run. I’d bet he would take a break there before moving through the Farewell Burn to Nikolai and the Kuskokwim.

What this means is a tough day of mushing for Team Kaiser. They will head into the Alaska Range into the valley’s of the Rainy Pass area and Puntilla lake. From there it will be the tricky Dalzell Gorge that has taken it’s toll through the years on Musher, Sled, and Teams. Warm weather won’t make it easy if there is any overflow on the trail, but Pete and the Team have been on this kind of trail before, so it’s going to be work, but very doable.

This section of the Trail is probably the most magnificent in terms of all that you read about Alaska– Mountains, Trees, and possibly wildlife to include even Bison as they head to Nikolai. Have a great day Mr. Kaiser!

Puntilla Weathercam 9:30am Monday

Puntilla Weathercam 9:30am Monday

 

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The Delta Force Update

Mike Willams Jr. - Mike Williams Sr. - Pete Kaiser- Richie Diehl

Mike Willams Jr. – Mike Williams Sr. – Pete Kaiser- Richie Diehl

The 2013 Iditarod puts 4 teams on the Trail from the YK Delta. Mike Williams Sr. and Richie Diehl join Pete and Mike Jr. on the Trail this year. Let’s call them “Delta Force” for 2013!

Delta Force is doing great and all moving along nicely. I’ll have interviews from all three of the Men later, but let’s check in this morning- 8:00am Monday.

Pete Kaiser – Resting in Finger Lake

Mike Williams Sr. – Just passing through Finger Lake

Mike Williams Jr. – Traveling with “Dad” through Finger Lake

Richie Diehl – 2o miles out of Finger Lake

 

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2013 Iditarod Underway!

Rock n Roll at the Start Line!

Rock n Roll at the Start Line!

Under the the backdrop of Denali an excited group of mushers met up and hit the trail this afternoon in Willow. It was a festive atmosphere as Pete and the Team entered the Start Chute. I asked him how long it would take the team to get over the pre-race jitters and get back to a race grind. He said just a few miles up the trail it would be back to normal with the Team putting paws to the trail.

We are still in the midst of getting back to a place where all of the photos can be uploaded. I have interviews, photos, and video of the day. It was truly wonderful!

To give you a taste of what is to come, here is a photo of Team ready to rock the Iditarod Trail.

 

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The Celebration of Mushing!

Thousands of Mushing Fans from around the State, Nation, and World-wide, gather each first Saturday in March to see the finest examples of Dog Sled mushing anywhere. The Iditarod ceremonial start brings sponsors, race fans, and others to Anchorage in what can only be described as the Mardi-Gras of mushing! From street vendors, to doggie doo doo, the streets were closed off to bring everyone together to see, hear, and smell all that there is in mushing.

Team Kaiser arose early and was in their spot just after 8am this morning. It was a dark foggy start to the morning as folks began to arrive and wish them well. Iditarod officials stopped by a couple of different times– first to check the microchip that every dog must have and second to do a urine sample to make sure that every team is clean as a whistle.

Leaving in 10th position put Team Kaiser at the front of the pack and leaving just after 10:20am.

Here is the first group of photos- there will be several. We had photos with the Iditarider, and embedded with the dog handlers. So sit back and enjoy!

 

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