Category Archives: Kaltag to Koyuk

Pete and the Team were into Koyuk just after 5pm this evening.  They are holding 13 position after picking off a few unsuspecting Teams along the trail. The excitement is at the front of the pack where at least 4 teams have a shot at the Trophy. Most exciting is what is going to happen next.

Jeff King went right through Koyuk to lead the race for the first time. He then camped out on the trail between Koyuk and Elim. Let the mind games begin. Undoubtedly that rushed Mitch Seavey, whose race this might be to lose, out of the checkpoint and onto the trail. Imagine his surprise meeting Jeff and his Team on the trail! Now it has everyone wondering if this is the master chess move by possibly allowing Jeff to push into White Mountain and a mandatory 8 hour layover without stopping in Elim. Will Seavey have enough gas in the tank to do the same? This is the shootout we have been waiting 900 miles for! Wahoo Iditarod!!

Here are a couple of Sebastian Schnuelle’s photos of Pete and the Team on the trail to Koyuk.

Sunny Skies and Good Weather! Great day to lift your spirits and move on to the Finish Line in Nome! Go Team Kaiser!

Good Morning Race Fans!

The next challenge is the coast as our Mushers move into the Bering Sea area of Unalakleet and beyond. Yesterday saw some changes in the race dynamic as warm temperatures diminished and more normal racing conditions prevailed.

Pete and the Team, though a bit back from the front now, are making excellent times between checkpoints. Word from the trail is that Pete is in good spirits and ready for this next part of the race. Front runners are in Koyuk, while Pete just arrived into Shaktoolik. The team still is at 10 dogs and has been since Eagle Island.

Mike Jr. is again doing a nice job and steadily making his way to Nome. He is currently in Unalakleet, arriving last night at just before 2am with 11 dogs.

Richie Diehl has moved up the leaderboard, passing Mike Sr. yesterday on the run to Eagle Island. He is presently in Kaltag after arriving with 12 dogs at half past 1 am last night.

Mike Sr. is also in Kaltag arriving just before 4 am with his 14 dogs. He has slowed a bit, but is still working his way nicely to Nome.

Mushing Weather for Today-

EASTERN NORTON SOUND AND NULATO HILLS-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...UNALAKLEET...STEBBINS...ST MICHAEL...
ELIM...KOYUK...SHAKTOOLIK
426 AM AKDT MON MAR 11 2013

.TODAY...MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE MID TO UPPER TEENS. NORTH
WINDS 5 TO 15 MPH...EXCEPT SOUTHWEST WINDS TO 15 MPH SOUTH OF
UNALAKLEET THIS MORNING.
.TONIGHT...PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS AROUND 4 ABOVE. NORTHEAST WINDS TO
10 MPH.

After a great run into Unalakleet and a rest in that checkpoint which is almost their second home, Pete and the Team are back out on the trail to the North. Just three weeks ago, Team Kaiser sprinted to victory after a storm shortened the Norton Sound 450. Tonight they travel on trail that they know very well. (Maybe they’ll even find the GPS that they lost along the way in the NS450) Unalakleet to Koyuk via Shaktoolik is 83 miles. (Similar to today’s distance) The trail heavily traveled, so it should be hard and fast.

Word from the trail is that in light of a finish that may not meet his initial expectations, Pete is pretty upbeat and pragmatic. A win may not be in the cards, but a good finish isn’t out of the question. The race has several hundred miles to go and Team Kaiser is in it for the long haul!

The trail north will follow the coast as well as some of the hills along the coast into Shaktoolik. Then, out onto the ice of Norton Bay into the village of Koyuk. Last year, while Pete was asleep at the reigns, the Team took the initiative and passed Mitch Seavey as they made their way to Koyuk.

Tonight’s mushing weather doesn’t look all that bad. Southwest winds on their backs over the ice will be downright nice. Of course never trust a forecast in this part of Alaska.

Tonight’s Forecast-

EASTERN NORTON SOUND AND NULATO HILLS-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...UNALAKLEET...STEBBINS...ST MICHAEL...
ELIM...KOYUK...SHAKTOOLIK
329 PM AKDT SUN MAR 10 2013

.TONIGHT...CLOUDY WITH SCATTERED SNOW SHOWERS IN THE
EVENING...THEN CLEARING. PATCHY FOG. LOWS 5 TO 10 ABOVE. NORTHWEST
WINDS 5 TO 15 MPH BECOMING SOUTHWEST LATE IN THE NIGHT.
.MONDAY...MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE LOWER TO MID TEENS. LIGHT WINDS.
.MONDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS ZERO TO 5 ABOVE. LIGHT WINDS.
.TUESDAY...SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 20S. NORTHEAST WINDS TO 10 MPH.