Perseverance and patience to get to Nome

Quote RJ Sauer: 2014
"Inevitably the question is asked: ‘so why did you do it?’

EACH COMPETITOR HAS THEIR OWN REPLY. FOR ME THE REASONS ARE NUMEROUS AND SEEM ABUNDANTLY CLEAR. BUT I SUPPOSE LIKE SO MANY THINGS WORTH DOING, THE MOTIVATIONS BEHIND RACING 1000 MILES ALONG THE IDITAROD TRAIL ARE OFTEN MET WITH SKEPTICISM OR BEWILDERMENT AND THUS REMAIN EXQUISITELY OBSCURE. AND THIS OBSCURITY REMAINS ONE OF THE THE TRAIL’S MOST ALLURING QUALITIES."

It's been taking Troy much longer than expected to get into Nome with all the new snow, wind and snow drifts. He is currently 9 miles out of Nome at 10 am this morning.

Klaus Schweinberger called with Skype from Kaltag. He is in good spirits, the trek on the Yukon River was really slow he said. He did not see anyone out there. Only him and the 2 mile wide Yukon River. Quite a spiritual experience. He is glad to see people, find a warm place inside and a village to recuperate before tackling the 80 mile Kaltag portage from Kaltag to the coast in Unalakleet. There are two BLM shelter cabins on that stretch for him to stop and rest. Good luck Klaus!

Looks like the 4 bikers Kyle, Adam, Toni and Craig have made slow progress as well due to the many snow drifts on the trails. Peter Ripmaster the leading runner in the 1000 mile distance is about to catch up to them. He is currently only 3 miles behind them and moving at faster speeds walking than the 4 bikers pushing their bikes through snow drifts. Hang in there guys, patience and perserverance will get you to Nome!

Nora Nagaruk sent this image from Nome this morning.