Kristy was finally reported out of Shaktoolik after nearly 14 1/2 hours in the checkpoint, far longer than I was anticipating. As of 12:43pm AK time, she was reported in 32nd place and pulled out with the same 9 dogs in front of her sled. It is interesting to note that Kristy was one of several mushers to launch from Shaktoolik around the same time, and all but one reported a rest time in this checkpoint of over 14 hours. This leads me to believe that there was something else in play keeping the mushers hunkered down here. And, based on reports from here and further along the trail, I bet that "something" was WIND. Anna is still in Shaktoolik, but hopefully her stay in this checkpoint will be on her schedule and not Mother Nature's.
At this point, the information coming out of Iditarod.com is vague and focuses on those teams closest to Nome. It will likely be a day or more before we start to get more reliable, detailed information about the teams a bit further back in the pack. Reports coming out of other Alaska sources, such as Anchorage Daily News (ADN) or the Alaska Dispatch, offer a bit of additional information, but not much. With no phones, internet, or even an industrious carrier pigeon available and permitted for use, I have not heard anything first hand from my sisters since Sunday, March 2nd, when I watched them mush off the restart line.
I'll do my best to keep interpreting what little information I have available and blogging my 2 cents worth.
You, my dear armchair mushers, keep your positive thoughts on those teams still on the trail.
In fact, in addition to positive thoughts, we'll take prayers, well wishes, crossed fingers and toes, good luck, and mojo!
At this point, the information coming out of Iditarod.com is vague and focuses on those teams closest to Nome. It will likely be a day or more before we start to get more reliable, detailed information about the teams a bit further back in the pack. Reports coming out of other Alaska sources, such as Anchorage Daily News (ADN) or the Alaska Dispatch, offer a bit of additional information, but not much. With no phones, internet, or even an industrious carrier pigeon available and permitted for use, I have not heard anything first hand from my sisters since Sunday, March 2nd, when I watched them mush off the restart line.
I'll do my best to keep interpreting what little information I have available and blogging my 2 cents worth.
You, my dear armchair mushers, keep your positive thoughts on those teams still on the trail.
In fact, in addition to positive thoughts, we'll take prayers, well wishes, crossed fingers and toes, good luck, and mojo!
