Monday 5 March 2012

March 5, 2012 - The Iditarod So Far - Bet

Howdy Ho everybodies!  Its your NRBCR Bet here!

Hoo boy I was tired after the two starts this weekend.  Had to power nap to get all refreshed and ready to report again!

I am happy to report that the North Wapiti team is now at Finger Lake:


The Pretty Curly Tails are traveling around 7-8 miles per hour, which is a lot faster than the Cartoonist even drives (she's pathetic), and making good time!

Richard and some friends of his FLEW to Finger Lake to greet the Musher and Pretty Curly Tails!  How cool is that!  He said he was going to send me some pictures of the adventure later when he got back, so you'll just have to wait on those.

If you want to read all about Finger Lake checkpoint, go here!

While Richard and his friends are there, they can't help the Musher AT ALL, thems the rules!  But they can stand by and make her laugh and give her encouragement, so that's really cool.

Initial reports from Heather Minion's significant other and fantastic photographer guy Dan was that the trail was soft and it was warm for the pups.  Remember, the Pretty Curly Tails (and the Musher) like REALLY cold temperatures, and what may seem freezy freezy to us (especially me if I'm not wearing one of my matching ensembles with matching booties) is actually warm to them. 

The weather report for tomorrow for the Finger Lake to Rainy Pass area:
Monday Night
    Overcast with snow in the evening, then mostly cloudy with snow showers. Low of 7F. Winds less than 5 mph. Chance of snow 60% with accumulations up to 3 in. possible.
Tuesday
    Mostly cloudy with snow showers. High of 23F with a windchill as low as 0F. Winds from the SW at 5-10 mph. Chance of snow 50%.
Tuesday Night
    Mostly cloudy with snow showers. Low of 1F. Winds less than 5 mph. Chance of snow 40% with accumulations up to 1 in. possible.

Of course, that is schedule to change and all, weather being... weather and all.  Its actually better for the Pretty Curly tails that even though it'll be 23 degrees (which is warm to them) the windchill of 0 will make it much more pleasant for them.

Here is what the team has to face when it comes to the Finger Lake to Rainy Pass checkpoint

Sounds pretty scary to me.  The Musher got to Finger Lake around 1pm, and since they recommend not going in the dark, I'm not sure if she will decide to stay longer in Finger Lake and wait until morning to go to Rainy Pass, or if she'll start out after a bit of a rest.  We will know when she starts moving, or if Richard calls to tell us.

And now, here are some obligatory pictures that Dan Minion took throughout his visit to Alaska!  Check out the fun and get your North Wapiti fix!!!!

- Bet

2 comments:

Susan & Rascal, BC said...

Bet, are those kiwis on the dogs' bandanas in Dan Minion's photo?
Thanks for your tireless efforts at keeping us apprised of their whereabouts! You arethe DOG!!!

Shirly said...

Bet I paid for the video's and not one of the pretty curley tails. I was disappointed, but I watched some video of teams going down the steps. I hope the pretty curley tails don,t have any trouble. Happy your going to get some pictures. I even put her as my preferred musher and still no pictures. So thanking you in advance Bet