Yukon Quest '07

The team and Brent resting at the 101 dog drop, Eagle Summit in the background.

Russ Bybee, Kelly Griffin, and Brent Sass crested a pink Eagle Summit at dawn Thursday, all within 15 minutes of each other. Both mushers ahead of Brent left Central well before him, but the eight remaining dogs, and Brent, showed that they remembered how to climb hills. Travelling remains slow for the team under normal trail conditions, but Brent said that the team accelerated on the climb to Eagle Summit, momentarily narrowing the gap between the three teams. Bybee rested short at the 101 dog drop, and Griffin blew through. At the 101 dog drop, Brent’s team looked healthy, and he rested them for several hours in the seemingly tropical -25°F sun. After the rest, the team left 101, and were seen moving steadily toward the base of Rosebud, the final summit in the Quest. At the same time, Bybee was beginning the ascent on Rosebud, Griffen was on the ridge, and Beattie was making the final push to the summit.

It has been a long race for Brent and the team – dropping Silver at the first checkpoint, losing Melville on the Yukon, and enduring the frigid temperatures. In spite of these major setbacks, there remain eight healthy pulling dogs on the gangline, one inspired musher, and a light at the end of the tunnel.

Brent made it to Chena Hot Springs Thursday evening, and rested the team until early morning, at which point they began the final 100 miles to Fairbanks. Hopefully, at this point, the monumental hurdle of getting the eight remaining dogs to continue beyond Chena Hot Springs – the familiar dog yard where they live – is behind them, and they are en route to Fairbanks. See you at the finish line!

Kelly Griffin on the final push over Eagle Summit.

Richie Beattie on the final push to the Rosebud summit.

posted by Greg  # 3:30 PM