In Other Iditarod News
The ‘Steps’ are back. After the start of the parade today, the Trail Committee had to put the Happy Valley Steps back into the race. According to reports from the trail breakers, heavy snow and wind conditions are making the alternate route impassible.
At least the snow should cushion the Steps.
These reports are not making me optimistic about possible conditions at Rainy Pass. That’s a nasty weather area most of the time, and if the wind is kicking up, finding the trail will be a problem. It sounds like John Baker’s record will be safe this year.
As you look at the list of mushers you will note a number of people have shared last names.
Seavey – Dan begat Mitch who begat Dallas
Buser – Martin begat Rohn
Redington – Ray and Ryan are brothers
Smyth – Cim and Ramey are brothers
Berington – Kristy and Anna are identical twin sisters.
Jim Lanier is breaking with his tradition and will not be running an all white team this year. He needed to fill in some positions and couldn’t find the dogs in his Northern Whites Kennel. At 71, even with a hip replacement he keeps on mushing. But then, Dan Seavey is three years older than Jim.
2 comments
Crazy! So now the steps are back…
Things change fast in Alaska 🙂
And 13 degrees. Ouch.
The 13° is good news – it keeps the ice on the rivers solid. Getting wet is the worse thing that can happen to you in the North.
Apparently, there is no way of keeping that road clear. I would assume that one side is open, with no screen of trees to catch the drifts. Lots of snow in the lower trail.