Category Archives: 2014 Iditarod

Pete and the Team of 13 dogs lead a pack of 4 mushers out onto the slippery trail of the Iditarod Trail early this morning at 1:34 after a nearly 5 hour rest in Shaktoolik. They are just now arriving into the Koyuk checkpoint and maintained the lead over the stretch. This wasn’t helpful for Pete he had no one to follow on the dark glare trail, but it was a benefit to those behind him who followed his lead. Expect a 4 hour break here before moving back onto the trail to Elim.

Richie left just behind Pete and is right behind him into Koyuk with 12 dogs after dropping one in Shaktoolik last night.

Mike Jr. didn’t rest after reaching Shaktoolik last night and is presently about an hour or so back from the checkpoint.

It has been a cold one, so after dog chores and a quick bite to eat, sleep will be high on the agenda.

It’s going to be a tough one, once our Teams get back on the trail. The wind is kicking up a bit and it is slicker that slick! It’s going to be a tough night for sure.

Listen to Sebastian Schnuelle’s description:

… Conditions start to get worse out there, as the wind has been picking up. Now combine that with all the glare ice out there. It has been very hard mentally on mushers and dogs. Sonny Lindner said: ” You simply can’t get where you need to go .”  At times it also looks like the trail is going away from Koyuk, with its meandering course it is longer than usual.

Aliy Zirkle and Jeff King were getting ready to leave at the same time. Simply walking around the checkpoint is treacherous, the volunteers put straw on the ice, than water on top to freeze it, yet is still is very slick.  Both teams left without hesitation, they have to navigate around a street sign, which once again is easier said than done on the ice and the wind pushing. Here the teams have to cross a road and Jeff King’s team did not… and kept on going down the road. No way of stopping as everything is downhill. At the bottom he turned his team around, by that time Aliy Zirkle who was initially past him got her team on the out trail, her sled dragging sideways on the gravel and ice. There is a tough run ahead of these teams and the wind is supposed to pick up even further. Although they call for sunny weather, I do not like the forecast. It is forecasting 25 to 30 mph winds in the communities, the usual blowholes will see much more than that. It will be a real challenge and another mental and physical test.

The Iditarod isn’t just an endurance race for the Mushers and Teams, it is also an endurance challenge for the Wives, Families, and especially the little ones. Ari has become the Team mascot for now, but at some point we fully expect him to take to the runners and help “Daddy” with the Team!

Checkout this Page for some great photos! Jeff Shultz really gets the best shots.

So here goes and feel free to hammer it if you see it off:

This is based off of Jeff King’s In Time at Koyuk and John Baker’s record run in 2011. I will continue to update as we get times from the board. The Delta Force Teams are about 18 hours past the leader, so we may even see a finish in the daylight!!

Go Teams!

Pete and the Team are just out of Unalakleet after a 6 hour break as Andy indicated this morning.  Richie and his Team are right behind. The trail ahead is glare ice and bare ground and will be challenging for sure. They have strong teams and are very used to ice and wind, so this should be to their advantage.

Listen to KNOM interview Pete in Unalakleet:

See the whole story here!

Listen to Bruce Lee describe the trail:

Weather currently is 10 degrees, Brilliantly Sunny, and Northeast wind.

On days like these, Inuit Hunter Sunglasses are necessary!