Pictures from the checkpoints

The race went great. thanks to all the volunteers that made this possible. The trail was marked perfectly, the businesses running checkpoints were super helpful and the mushers were happy and fun to compete with. thanks to all involved!

Our race went something like this.... we'll see if I can remember the details.

We started on Friday from the Chatanika Lodge on the Steese Highway at 12:24 pm. From there we wound around the Cleary summit area, home to the Aurora Skiland, "the farthest north ski area". The team had to climb over severeal major hills and domes here in the 2000 eleveation range, with the sun beating down on us, it was a bit slow, but the views were amazing. We ran for about 55 miles which was the halfway point to the first checkpoint and then stopped at sunset for a 4 hour rest. The dogs ate well and got a nap. At this point we were in almost last place as we started back there. at 10 pm I pulled the hook and with the cool night temps approaching -25 F we flew towards angel creek. Along the way passed 7 - 8 teams camping. We pulled into the Pleasant Valley Store Checkpoint around 4 am and I was a little frozen and very tired. The dogs were taken care of and bedded down and I headed into the store stock room for a one hour nap... its amazing that one hour can change a tired grumpy man into one that is ready to race again.

Cody after a one hour nap and getting ready to head out for the next leg. Trying to remember what I need from my drop bags? Any snickers in there?

The next run was also slow in the heat of day, but spectacular views of the Chena River Valley. We rolled into Angel Creek around 3 pm and stayed for our 3 hour layover

Several teams all rolled into Angel Creek within in an hour of each other and we all had either 3 or 4 hours of mandatory time to stay there. It was clear that whomever left first would probably get to the finish in fifth place.... just forgot that one musher had done all her time at the last checkpoint and ran straight through while I was in the bar eating a burger. When it was our time to check out, we pulled the hook and tried our best to catch that musher to get into the last payin position of fifth, instead we came in about a half hour behind at 12:01 am and got sixth.... which was awesome. the dogs did great once again and we are thrilled with their finish. The leaders of the race didn't camp on the first run and were about 6 hours ahead of me in the end. The difference between first and second place turned out to be just seconds. What fun!

Thanks to my devoted fans.. I won't embarass all two of you, you know who you were, for coming out and supporting team squid. I think they got more photos of the dogs actually moving, Paige was busy doing her job of handling and couldn't get any of those, so will post them later as they come in..