Greetings from Aniak!

Kyle is now somewhere near Kalskag or beyond as I write this posting!

Ryan and I are packing up our gear here at my friend Dave's here in Aniak! The temperature is 33 degrees and there is not much wind. Ryan and I elected to travel in the cool of the evening tonight rather than fight the slush on the Kusko.....looks like we need it to get a bit colder. :o)

Kyle had a tough run last night from Aniak up to Pike Lake. He was supposed to leave at 10:26 pm Saturday night but officials held him as word had come from the Pike Lake checkpoint that the trail was dangerous. A ruling was made to let Kyle and the other mushers go on up. Kyle was held up for twenty some minutes and these will be deducted from his overall time as it was their call to hold him.

Kyle came back in here to Aniak at 6:42 this morning after about an 8 hour run. He had Felix in the basket and Kyle was smiling and glad to be off the Pike Lake trail. Felix had muscle cramps and seemed in good spirits. The vet checked him and said that he was fine just a bit sore. He joined Bernard (sore wrist but fine) on the drop dog line and will get to fly to Bethel.

The trail to Pike Lake was steep and also full of water. Kyle stated that the dogs were belly deep in the water many times during that run! I am sure that it was one of the toughest runs of his career!

Kyle fed his dogs upon coming in and then let them sleep. Most ate well and all ate eventually. They were tired but doing well. He is "seeing what they are made of", that is for sure! Kyle was in great spirits and really having fun with all of the runs and developments. We hung out with several other mushers and they traded trails stories and we all laughed quite a bit.

Kyle headed out this morning at about 10:30am (Sunday) for Kalskag. He and his dogs looked strong. He has 80 miles to go until his mandatory layover in Tuluksak. Ryan and I will pass him on the trail some time this evening. The river trail is sloppy and by starting a bit later we hope to not rip it up too much for him and the other mushers as they have now all left Aniak. Should be another interesting "all-nighter"!

Have a good one!

Kepp your sticks on the ice!

Eric Holland,
Aniak