2017 Iron Dog — Day 6 coverage
https://www.thealaskalife.com/blog/2017-iron-dog-day-6-coverage/
It is now 85° warmer on the Yukon River than it was earlier this week when the teams were headed towards Nome. I am sure the guys are not missing the -50° but of course +35° comes with its own challenges.
With 342 river miles left before the finish line in Fairbanks the racers will encounter a trail of sticky snow and more than likely sections of what is called ‘jumble ice’. While large sections of the rivers can freeze smoothly there are also many stretches were the teams will have to deal huge chucks of protruding ice along with open leads of water. (see picture at the link)
What is also a ever present danger while running rivers is that you can be scooting along 80 to 90 MPH and suddenly there is an ice ridge or the ever present piece of driftwood hiding under a coat of snow ready to take out the suspensions of the sleds.
The top teams are now taking a 10 hour layover in Galena before running 172 miles up the mighty Yukon to Tanana. The teams will be held at this village of 250 people until Saturday morning before being released to ensure a daylight finish in Fairbanks. From Tanana the course leaves the Yukon and runs up the Tanana River past Manley Hot Springs and Nenana. Eventually they arrive at North Pole and take the Chena River to the finish line.
See link for more ..........
Thanks. I followed this far, but it will finish while I’m asleep. I always find this race exciting.