Chatanika 200 Preps

We're into full race prep this week...Thank GOODNESS for Spring Break! Tee hee hee! It's not just for the kiddies, ladies and gents. ;o) Manny and I took teams out yesterday to run towards Angel Creek. Definitely going to be an "interesting" trail again this year (can you say, repeat of the Quest trail 2006?). Large areas of overflow in the regular areas are not fun...to say the least. Manny hit the first patch not long after the road crossing. This area almost always has it and it's looking a lot like it did in the 2004 race (TR 200). The sleds slide to the bottom (right side of the trail) of the overflow, so be prepared. There is some slushy stuff on the other side...of course this will probably get worse by race day due to the warm temps we're now getting. Colorado Creek was frozen over, but it's pretty slick. There's one spot that the dogs have to cross that could be tricky if you don't have good leaders. They have to cross a frozen "stream" that looks inviting for the dogs to just follow. Once you get across that, it's easier to follow the right side of the trail, as there is some powdery snow that offers purchase to the dogs/sled. So far, only the first half of Colorado creek is ice/overflow. (Keep your fingers crossed that it stays that way boys and girls...just 2 weekends ago, it was waist deep, open water there!)

The next nasty section of ice/overflow comes just before the rifle range. It is WIDE open and Manny started through it on foot (hooked the team to a tree to scout the overflow) and only went partially in. It was already halfway up his calf...so, we turned the teams, as we were only going to the rifle range anyway (was just up ahead). Anyway, that section looks real bad, with a ice ledge on the bottom that I can see will dump sleds. It looks a lot like the stuff we faced on the Quest 300...and yes, it's running water. It's only going to get worse, so make sure your bring your snorkels and wet suits, folks. ;o) Yeah! Extreme Mushing Ladies and Gents! You Gotta Love this stuff! (or not?!?)

There's a trail map up on the TRDMA website (www.trdma.org) and a list of the current mushers signed up for the race. Come on out and watch the start at Chatanika Lodge, or help out at the checkpoints at Pleasant Valley Store or Angel Creek. Should be an interesting race this year! I'm off to finish my drops and then take a team out when it cools (30 degrees F right now...Sheesh!). Have a good one and I'll see ya all on the trail.

-Tammi n the kidz