Mid Race update by Eric....Saturday Jan 19

Greetings from Aniak!

Kyle and his band of dogs are all sleeping right now here in Aniak on the mighty Kuskokwim River. He was glad to be in Aniak and was in great spirits and having fun. He was fun to just be hanging around with! Ryan and I are also in great spirits! We are all having fun!

Kyle had a strong run up to Tuluksak yesterday and ran on to Bogus Creek. The trail was challenging with soft snow and many ruts on the trail between Bethel and Tuluksak. His dogs all looked strong when they came into Bogus Creek.

Ryan and I left Bogus Creek after Kyle got the dogs to bed. We travelled up to Kalskag and arrived up there at about 5am. The conditions were poor as it was howling and the was a lot of blowing snow! I was nodding off for a five mile stretch as the going was slow and the blowing snow had a hypnotic effect on me. We took a break and I was fine the rest of the day.

Kalskag was an interesting scene as there were a lot of teams coming in. Ed Iten came in there first and Dee Dee and Jeff King and others also had their dogs bedded and they were taking their mandatory six hour layover. People were in good spirits despite the ground blizzard type conditions. We enjoyed our coffee there and took off for Aniak a bit after 6am. The conditions had deteriorated and we left in near white out conditions. The check point officials were surprised that we were leaving but it was on a marked trail after all. :o)

The 32 miles to Aniak was one of overblown trails and numerous complete white outs. We took a break at the 16 mile mark in a sheltered spot on a slough. The moon was out and it was harsh but we were optimistic and having fun! We speculated that it would be better for Kyle to come through in the daylight in these conditions. We were excited that it all seemed to be going well!

Aniak checkpoint was not open as there were no teams this far North (130 miles now). We travelled over to my friends place where Ginny Woodmancy had a great breakfast prepared for us. We were even on time!

After a breakfast and a shower we took a six hour nap. We got up, gassed up and went over to find Kyle into the Aniak checkpoint after and awesome four hour and 16 minute run from Kalskag to Aniak in some of the most challenging conditions imaginable. It had warmed up to 38 degrees and the snow was still blowing like heck! He and the dogs did very well but I am sure that he will be sore from having to crouch down behind the sled to avoid the "sail effect". The conditions were severe but Kyle and the dogs did great!

Kyle is probably getting up right now at 9:00pm. He has some preparations before he leaves out of here at 10:26 pm this Saturday heading up on a 22 mile one way run up a hill to Pike Lake and then back here to Aniak! It is the time in the race where the mushers will find out what they really have! Questions that Kyle will have to answer will include whether or not to have the dogs wear boots on the slick trail conditions?? Will he need to do another rest at Aniak on his way back from Pike Lake or will he head on down the river?? Will his dogs that are known to always eat continue with this good and imperative habit?? Time will tell........however....his dogs looked good as he got them all bedded down in straw here in Aniak this afternoon! This sure is a lot of fun!

There were still three teams out on the trail coming into Aniak when Kyle layed down for his 3 hour nap. Now is the time where some teams will probably quit moving. Teams are starting to have some issues. Unplanned breaks will have to be taken. The plot continues to thicken!

So, we will try and post another blog before too long. Check out the K300 website. Kyle and company are doing well! Good Night from Aniak!

PS: Everybody loves our "Ocean Beauty" Musher Hats! Everytime they ask us we always proudly tell of our Number One sponsor!

Eric Holland