Yukon Quest '07

Thunder and Ross.

Brent and the team left Circle this morning at 4:00. Brent and the dogs still had plenty of energy, if not enthusiasm. Under yet another cloudless fifty below sky, the team ran until dawn and a cabin on Birch Creek, where they rested. Later today brought more endless but aesthetic meanders of Birch Creek, and one long run into Central.

The dogs are tired, and Brent has used phrases like “the grind” to describe the psychological and physical hurdles of long cold runs. Mushers have repeatedly said that open areas are monotonous for the dogs. Richie Beattie at Slaven’s described how his team would accelerate markedly when the trail went from the main channel of the Yukon to a slough. More confined trails stimulate the dogs, and this is manifest in their speed. When Brent’s team hit the woods after Medicine Lake this evening, they immediately sped up to 10 mph and maintained for an hour to the Central checkpoint, where they are resting. It’s 2:45 Wednesday and Brent is awake preparing the team to greet an old friend at dawn – Eagle Summit.

Brent preparing to leave Circle.

John Schandelmeier on the trail past Slaven’s cabin.

Exhausted, but determined!

A fan (Zack) on Birch Creek.

posted by Greg  # 8:00 AM