Our racers continue to strategize...
What an exciting day we had yesterday, watching Miron and Tyson epitomize trail camaraderie as they approached the finish line with hands held and in a true gentleman’s finish. And such an opposite experience Phillip is having on his solo push to Nome. Whereas Miron and Tyson enjoyed the experience of close friends for hundreds of miles, Phillip hasn’t seen another ITI racer since leaving McGrath. Phillip is making great time, he’s through Safety and should pass under the burled arch sometime early this evening.
Four racers, currently led by Kinsey Loan, are nearly across the sea ice of Norton Bay and to Koyuk. They are currently all traveling at what appears to be riding pace so hopefully the winds aren’t too formidable and they are soaking in that surreal experience. Thomas is making good progress toward Shaktoolik and beyond, possibly aiming to make his crossing of the ice tomorrow morning.
After yesterday morning’s plunge and return to Kaltag, Leah regrouped and made good time, passing several athletes before settling in for the night at the Tripod Flats cabin. She is now on the descent to Unalakleet, and about 20 miles behind Ryan, Asbjoern and Gavan. Who will stay for pizza and the well-known hospitality of the people of Unalakleet and who will press on? It sure would be hard to pass through such a welcoming place, but weather windows and rest schedules don’t always align with the comforts of civilization. Hopefully everyone will at least enjoy some warm, delicious food, and we’ll soon know who spends the evening.
While temperatures in Unalakleet are still cold, conditions appear to be moderating a bit. Highs for the next few days are above zero fahrenheit with lows creeping up to above zero by early next week. A weather statement issued this morning for Eastern Norton Sound and the Nulato Hills calls for a “significant warmup with the possibility of increased storminess next week”. It suggests a moist Pacific flow will return, and “this is a classic late winter/early spring pattern with a myriad of weather impacts including temps above freezing, strong south winds, locally heavy snow, mixed precipitation and blowing snow”. Racers have until about Tuesday before they see the full impacts of this change, which no doubt will be on all their minds.
Ten athletes are currently on the Kaltag Portage, between Kaltag and Unalakleet. Many people claim that this stretch of trail is one of the most beautiful and ITI 1000 finisher Jill Homer agrees: “...it is my absolute favorite section of the entire trail. The trail undulates across these roller-coaster hills, goes over a pass, then drops into the wide-open Unalakleet River Valley, which is surrounded by gorgeous low mountains.” According to Jill this is also Beat’s favorite section of trail. He’s well in the midst of it today and hopefully soaking in some trail love! This portion of the trail trail is an historic portage route connecting the Bering Sea coast with the interior and has long been a trading route between the coastal Inupiat and interior Athabascan people. The name “Unalakleet” means “from the southern side,” and the village was given this name because it is the most southern Inupiat community (nativevillageofunalakleet.org).
Yesterday, Race Director and pilot Kyle Durand checked on athletes on the Yukon River from the air. This must have been a fun moment for Faye, Jeff, Sunny and the rest of the crew to have a glimpse of a friend, fan and supporter passing overhead and spreading some good cheer!
This morning, Sunny shared her intentions of leaving Galena for another long push through day and night to the village of Nulato, 50 miles away. Sunny is feeling the pressure of time – the race to Nome officially has a 30 day cutoff – she can’t afford many rest days and still make the cutoff in Nome. She headed out of town but quickly decided to give her mind and body additional rest, and is taking another day to recharge. We respect her decision and hope that tomorrow brings sunny skies, moderate temps and calm winds for her push to Nulato.
Written by Kori Marchowsky
Photo credits: Sunny Stroeer with race director Kyle Durand doing a fly over.