Along the Iditarod Trail: Update

Matt Hayashida of Willow, Alaska drives his team along the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race trail near the Takotna, Alaska checkpoint (3/11).

Day five of mushing brings more news of crashes and scratches along the Iditarod. Norwegian Bjornar Anderson was seriously injured after a crash in a treacherous section of the trail known as the Buffalo Tunnels. Named for the Farewell Burn bison herd that winter in the area, the "Tunnels" sounds like the exact opposite of good dog sledding terrain. In some spots the trail narrows between spruce so thick that only a sled width will slide through. When not guarded by trees, the area opens up to an ice-covered field bumped with frozen tussocks. It would be hard enough to ski through this section let alone mush a sprinting dog team safely across. The Anchorage Daily News reports that Anderson lost control of his sled and was dragged through the unforgiving terrain bouncing from tussock to tree stump. Though the veteran musher thought his health might improve during the mandatory 24 hour rest period, he soon realized that after constant vomitting and other definite signs of internal injuries he would be forced to scratch from the race.
Experts say that after the mandatory 24 hour rest period the field begins to separate. The contenders pull ahead while the novices slide farther back. As for the Colorado mushers, looking at the current standings Tom Thurston is way back in position 54 and Kurt Reich is well behind him. And defending champ Lance Mackey? He is "right where he wants to be" averaging over four MPH with 16 dogs out and holding third place.
Oh, and for you gear heads, I found a blog about riding the Iditarod Trail on a mountain bike - check it out. Just goes to show that if you think that you are doing something hard core, there is someone in AK doing it more to the core.