A handler's Quest - Update
Tuesday, February 15, 2011 at 11:55AM After Clint left Pelly, Sarah and I began the drive up to Dawson City. It was night, and we were so tired, having only accumulated 7 or so hours of sleep during the week until that point. We wanted to get to Dawson before Hugh Neff got in, so we could drive our truck to our camp and unload all of our gear. Talking with the race manager, Greg Shaffer, he recommended to get up there by 9 am, they were expecting Hugh possibly as early as noon, and as soon as the siren goes off indiciating that he is in Dawson, we wouldn't be allowed to drive in. So, mustering all of our energy, we began the drive. For the first hour, we were able to chat and keep ourselves up, but then Sarah was no longer able to stay awake. And, I knew I wouldn't be able to continue driving if she fell asleep. We pulled over in a rest stop, and slept hard for a few hours, waking up and continuing the drive with the rising sun, which made it infitinitely easier to stay awake.
Once in Dawson, we pulled into the checkpoint on Front St., and retrieved all 11 of Clint's drop bags, and 4 bales of straw. The ice road across the Yukon hadn't been salted or graveled, and was a luge when we got there, and there were recommendations not to attempt a crossing with our truck and trailer. Fortunately, Hugh wasn't in, and we still had time to wait. After lunch, a crew from Dawon City came out and graveled and salted the road, and we made it into camp in time to drop off our gear.
Once nearly all of our gear had been dropped off at our campsite, we heard the siren indicating the first musher was in! We made it in perfect time, we quickly finished unloading the last few items, and drove back into town. We were exhausted, the two hours sleep along the road to Dawson, had not been nearly enough to rejuvenate us. Sarah and I took a break once in town for a couple of hours, to relax, and build up energy, before heading back to Dawson dog camp. From looking at the livetracker on the quest website, we knew we had some time before Clint came in, and we wouldn’t have to finish setting up our camp that day. But, we did want to get something started. Our main task was getting the tarp situated. Having a smaller campsite on the river side, didn’t leave us many options. The ideal area for setting up the tarp would allow for some wind protection, and also be far enough from the road that people walking and other dogs wouldn’t be a distraction. Tree location also plays a big role in set up, the tarp guylines are tied to the trees. We spiderwebbed lines across our campsite, and eventually had a cozy little tarp set up parallel to the driveway. There was some wind blowing into the riverside opening that we buffered with snow mounds. It would be a nice home for the 36 hours that the dogs were in camp.
After the tarp was assembled, we headed back to town for our first hot meal in days, amazing Greek food at the Drunken Goat, before settling in for the night with a soak in the hot tub, and sleeping in a bed for the first time in days. The next morning, we checked updated, and figured Clint would be in around 4 at the earliest, but potentially later in the day, depending on his resting and running schedule. Sarah had errands to run in town, starting laundry and getting things ready for Clint, and she dropped me off at dog camp to continue working. Mike Davis, and Laura (not sure of last name) from Oklahoma, two veterinarians conducting research on the dogs, had a lull in their work schedule, and came down to help set up camp. I had them begin working on setting up the Arctic Oven, which would be my home for a few days, as I finished the dogs home. Using 7 bales of straw, I lined the ground in the tarp, nearly to a foot deep, it would be really warm and comfortable for the dogs. The dogs love new straw, and there was tons of it. After organizing the dog food, cooker, vet equipment, and our tent, we were ready for the team to arrive. We headed back into town to follow the tracker, and take a quick nap before expecting Clint in.
Clint arrived with happy looking dogs at 9:41pm, after cheering them in, and saying hello and petting the dogs for the first time in days, I rushed across the river with extra equipment and a hot hamburger meal for the dogs to our campsite, and Sarah hopped on the sled with Clint and mushed across the Yukon over to dog camp. Once in camp, the veterinarian team from the YQ came over for the mandatory vet check, as we took off dog jackets and harnesses and put clean dog jackets on, and fed them the hot meal, and then led them over to their new camp! They loved it! They enjoyed nesting in the little tent, curling up in the loft of the straw. Paige and Cody, who had just finished up the YQ300 (Paige in 6th place!) came down to camp to help massage the dogs. For the next hour or so, we spent time with each of the dogs, massaging sore wrists, and rubbing down their shoulders. We used tons of algyval, and the dogs happily were massaged to sleep.
For the next 36 hours, we kept care over the dogs and Clint. Sarah helping Clint get everything needed in town, and rushing back and forth between camp and Dawson City. I was in charge of the dogs, helping to feed and walk and massage the dogs. While I was in camp the whole time, help would come often. Paige and Cody helped massage and feed dogs regularly, as well as Sarah, who was so busy, while getting sick at the same time. The dogs were woken up and stretched every 8 hours during their stay. The loved their camp, during the walks, as they got stronger and stronger and better rested, they would eagerly return to the tent to snuggle with the other dogs. At first, the dogs were really tired, but as the hours accumulated, I heard the little growls and communications between the dogs, and kept careful watch that they didn’t fight. They were no longer sleeping in the tent, but resting. After a few meals, Jet and Dash started playing, no longer worried about catching up on sleep. And the tiny little dog Shya was trying to win freight pull competions on her walks. It was awesome to see how fast they changed! How a few hours rest, and some extra loving can restore a tired team.
At 7 am on the day he was scheduled to leave. Clint and Sarah came down from town, and we fed a meal, and started harnessing and getting the dogs ready, while Clint packed the sled. It was howling wind, and blowing snow. It did not look like a fun day to go out. Right before the team leaving the checkpoint, Wade Marrs mushed back into camp with injured shoulders on himself. He had passed 3 teams on the way in, and within a few minutes was breaking trail again. The trail was completely blown over and drifted. Conditions were less than idea, but at 9:41 that morning, with dogs barking and harness banging, Clint left Dawson.
Sarah and I began the long process of tearing down camp. A couple hours later, as we were raking up and bagging the last of the straw, we saw a team coming back down the road. Clint had turned around. With no trail, and only one leader, he couldn’t keep his team moving forward. They scanned and ran across the blown Yukon river searching for a trail, spending all their energy without moving forward. But, they still looked good. Clint bedded down his dogs on straw to try to decide the next move. Would he scratch? Or continue on later in the day.
A big group of mushers was going to be heading out that evening. There were 4 mushers scheduled to go out between 9 and 10 that night, and Tamara Rose, who was scheduled to leave earlier, was planning to go out with the bigger group. . Extra rest would not hurt her dogs. All of the mushers were really encouraging for Clint to go out, offering to bring extra food, so he wouldn’t take an extra penalty gathering his own food after leaving the checkpoint. They speculated on weather and conditions, and made plans for leaving as a caravan, taking turns breaking trail, and staying close for safety. Over the next few hours, we all monitored the situation.
Later that evening, as it came time to make the decision, came news of Hans Gatts harrowing experiences on American Summit, and Brent Sass’s heroic efforts (see article here). It was certainly a sobering news report. Hans is an incredibly experienced musher, and has been over this trail numerous times. As the mushers gathered and talked among themselves, Kyla Durham, excited and ready to go, Jerry Joinson, confident in their abilities as a team, Tamara cautions, and others completely scared, Hans Oettli, the race marshal came out to talk to the teams, and update them on the trail conditions, and the risks they would be presented with. ‘Life threatening conditions’ was stated, with upmost seriousness. If they were to go out, they would need to stay together as a team, and work together, not leaving anyone behind. The last group of mushers out before took nearly 11 hours to make the 50 mile run to the 40 mile river, and Johannes Rhyg, was not moving. The trail was horrendous. And, that was just the first 50 of the 150 mile run ahead of them to the next checkpoint in Eagle. After that, they had to cross American Summit. Lots of food would be required for this run, and common sense.
With only one leader remaining, who was being leased from a friend, Clint decided to scratch from the race. After discussing it with Sarah and I, he was happy with his decision, with a commitment for no regrets. They had an awesome 500 mile run up to that point, one to be proud of. His dogs had done great, but he didn’t have the team he wanted to continue on.
After he decided to scratch, Sarah dropped Clint and I back at dog camp, so we could mush the dogs back across the river to the dog trailer, where they could spend the night. Clint brought supplies to share with the other mushers before they headed out. Face masks for Tamara and Kyla, and goggles and runner plastic for Kyla. As we were talking to the other mushers, the relief in Clint’s voice was obvious. He was happy to have had a clean race to this point, and the weather was horrendous. All of the mushers that would be heading out together were rookies to this race, and hearing how Hans Gatt had struggled across American Summit, didn’t instill relief. We wished them luck, and safety, and then mushed the dogs back across the river.
The dogs were happy to see their trailer! They are trailer dogs, and love their little boxes. We mushed them right up to the trailer, fed them a meaty meal, and then bedded them down for the evening. They looked great, it was amazing, after the 36 hour rest, it was hard to believe that they had just ran 500 miles.
The next day, we began our drive home to Fairbanks. It has been a good race, but I was excited to go home and be with Thomas and our dogs, and finally get some sleep. It has been a crazy race, and the excitement has been consistent. From hurricane strength winds, with blowing snow and whiteouts, to deep overflow on the frigid birch creek. The stories will continue, as the front runners race into Fairbanks tonight. Thomas and I will be there, to cheer them as they come in.
A big huge thanks to everyone who has been a part of this race. I have loved being a part of it for the past few years. The news reporters and facebook communications team have been awesome, as well as the other fans that keep it updated. I am totally addicted to following all that is going on, since coming home, and it has been instant communication, which is fantastic! The volunteers and crew are amazing, as well as the mushers, and their handlers, and of course all the dogs.
This race is a huge testament to the bonds between a musher and their dogs, and the spirit and perseverance that is needed to survive in the harsh north. Many mushers have sacrificed their own health, by putting the dogs care above all else, and the care for the fellow musher. Without the dogs, we have nothing. They have to trust in you, and know you will provide for them. It is a way of life for many, and the challenges they overcome are tremendous. Heroic efforts has been made by many of the teams out there, and their stories are inspiring. There is an overwhelming sense of pride in their abilities, both the mushers and the dogs, to overcome difficulties and challenges with great integrity. They are the true spirit of the north.
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