Trail Friends
Petr Ineman, Kari Gibbons, and their ruffs on the trail, credit Kari Gibbons.
One of the things that struck me this year is how few people finished their journey solo. We had the Magnificent Seven, Julie Perilla Garcia and Karl Booth, Team Tanaka (Matt Tanaka and Janice Tower), Erick Basset and Jon Richner, and sometime in the next several hours, Team KarPet (Kari Gibbons & Petr Ineman). It raises the question, what is it about the trail, or winter ultra-endurance events in general, that fosters such strong bonds between racers?
I remember a conversation years ago at the White Mountains 100 race finish line. Despite the exhaustion and the late hour, we lingered—chatting with fellow racers, watching finishers arriving, and savoring the moment. Family and friends who had come to see us finish were impatient to leave, or had already left, yet we couldn’t tear ourselves away. For us, it was about trail friendships—bonds forged through shared suffering and the rare, eccentric camaraderie of racing across Alaska's winter wilderness.
Why do racers choose to team up? For many, the joy of the experience lies in sharing it with others. In a group, there’s greater safety, collective decision-making, encouragement, and of course, camaraderie. The connection formed while enduring hardship is deep—indescribable, even. With these trail friends, we share countless stories and memories, from the snow machine moguls of 2022, to the shared struggles of skiing the ITI and its toll on our feet (mine still haven’t recovered after four years!).
In the weeks leading up to the ITI, I find myself looking forward to reconnecting with these friends—catching up on race preparations and spotting familiar faces as they trickle into town. These relationships, rooted in grit and endurance, remain a highlight of the entire experience.
It's impossible to discuss camaraderie without acknowledging the solitude that defines much of the trail experience. While some racers thrive on the relationships they form along the way, others find deep satisfaction in the solo hours spent on the trail. One recent finisher likened the trail to a self-help group, sharing that moments of solitude are when they gain the most valuable insights. For many of us, those solitary hours are an opportunity to connect with the majesty and untamed beauty of the outdoors—a reminder that we are part of something wild, capable of self-reliance, and ready to take on anything
After teaming up at Little Mountain cabin before crossing the sea ice, trail companions Jon Richner (foot) and Erick Bassett (ski) crossed the finish line last night at 7:15 p.m., becoming the men’s foot and ski champions with an unofficial time of 26 days, 4 hours, and 15 minutes. Erick’s finish marks a significant milestone—he is now the fifth man and sixth person overall to complete the ITI to Nome on skis. Remember that earlier mention of feet? They’re just one of the many reasons why long-distance skiing is such a formidable challenge. Congratulations to both Jon and Erick! As a side note, Erick has now conquered the ITI both on skis and on foot. Could a bike be next on his list?
Two foot racers remain on the trail: Kari Gibbons and Petr Ineman. This morning, Kari texted her mother with a cheerful "Happy Nome Day!"— hinting that they may not stop before Nome. Kari shared that yesterday was a wonderful day filled with bluebird skies and picturesque trails. They rested briefly at Topcock last night before resuming their journey at 4:00 a.m. We estimate they will finish sometime after 8 p.m. this evening, and we will all be obsessively refreshing trackleaders until then.
Hailing from Minneapolis, Minnesota, Kari Gibbons started competing in ultras around 2010. She started this year with two finishes in the 350. This included 2021 when, due to Covid, the race route extended to Rohn before looping back to Big Lake for a true 350-mile experience. The ITI has a special place in Kari’s heart for the remote beauty of Alaska. As she described last year, “I go out there to be alone in nature, and be pushed by nature, who may want to kill me but it’s nothing personal.”
Petr Ineman began his ITI journey on a bike, starting with the 350 in 2015, and returning in 2017 for his first ride to Nome. His accomplishments are impressive: in 2019, he and John Logar won the race; in 2020, he led the pack into Nome alongside Jill Martindale and Casey Fagerquist; and in 2022, he secured victory with a time of 16 days, 4 hours, and 42 minutes. It may have been after that 2022 finish that Petr caught the "Triple Threat" bug. Perhaps after four trips to Nome, he wanted a fresh challenge? In 2023, he attempted the journey on skis but scratched at Puntilla. By 2024, he completed the race on skis, becoming the fourth ski finisher ever. Continuing to make ITI history, Petr is now on the cusp of achieving an incredible feat: becoming only the second person ever to complete the ITI to Nome in all three disciplines.
The Solomon River weather station this morning reported -3F, with winds from the north gusting to 23mph. The forecast in Nome is for a high of 8°F, with north winds at 5mph and scattered snow showers tonight. These are fine conditions under which to wrap up their 950 mile, 27 day journeys. We’ll be back tomorrow for one, final update.
Author: Amber Crawford