Copper Basin 300

Tomorrow will be the first time I walk through the doors of race central as a musher for the Copper Basin 300. In years past, I have walked through those doors as a handler, volunteer, board president, and spectator. Running the race has been a dream for a long time. I have always enjoyed all the other roles I have had in the CB300.

The first time I came to a CB300 race was in 2000. I was a handler for Yukon Quest musher, Andrew Lesh. In typical YQ musher style, it was not without it's misadventures. It was also on this race where I met Darrin...but that's another story for another time. Like all love affairs, the CB300 and I have had some rocky patches over the years. The CB300 makes you earn her love. It's not easily given away. 

I am very excited, and feel ready, for my rookie run of the Copper Basin 300. The first checkpoint is our home village of Chistochina. The checkpoint is down the road 2 miles from our house. We leave the checkpoint, zipping along the bike path through town, dart under the Sinona Creek Bridge, dash through the parking lot of Posty's (local store) and head up the Chistochina Trail, which is also our home trail. When I go dashing through the parking lot of Posty's, I will also be passing our kennel, with the highway separating the two. Passing the kennel isn't a big deal. When we hit the main trail again, the dogs will know exactly where they are and will automatically kick down into their "we are running away from home" speed. We won't be breaking any land speed records, but we will be traveling at a speed at which they can go forever, thus conserving their energy for later. 

Jamey Kemp, trail breaker and Vice President of the CB300 has been doing an amazing job of coordinating riders and breakers and putting in a good trail. But this is the Copper Basin and Mother Nature likes to pull the rug out from under us this time of year. Quite often there is a "thing" that marks that year's race. In the last it's been -60F temps, blizzards, huge wind storms, rain and mud and recently, the lack of trail. This year, it's water. 

We have noticed all winter how wet everything was. There's been water on the trail in places no one has seen before. Water on the race is a common theme. The course crosses many rivers, lakes, creeks and streams. Even in the bitterly cold temperatures we get, water doesn't always freeze up here. Then there's overflow. Hidden water beneath the snow that sucks you in and then clings to the sled and your feet. Not a pleasant experience. 

Recently, the Copper Basin posted some pictures from the trail on their Facebook page, as well as a great video showing the water crossing on the Gakona River. We cross the river on our way to Meier's Lake. Here are some of the pictures they posted. 

Jamey crossing the Gakona, marking the trail for teams. The Gakona is never the same. There are two ways to typically cross the Gakona. There is the main crossing (shown here) and the lower crossing. Sometimes neither is good and you have to travel up or down the banks of the river to find a good crossing. Rivers in Alaska change quickly in both summer and winter. Having water at the Gakona crossing is not unusual. In fact, it would be unusual if it was dry (frozen).

This was taken in the ditch just outside of Chistochina. The term "The Ditch is a Bitch" has been coined when referring to this section of trail. In a nutshell, it sucks. There are willows, stumps, overflow, downed trees and who knows what else might be lurking in the ditch. It is the least favorite part of the trail to put in. Darrin put the trail in through the ditch and beyond again this year. This section of trail "ate" a few snowmachines this year. One of ours had the steering cable thingy break, you can see what happened here with Jamey and his machine and another rider got stuck as broke as well. Trail breaking is not for the faint of heart. 

A lovey view up by the Gakona River. It is big snow country up there.

Also taken right by the Gakona River

The Hump is the other big challenge mushers have on the run from Chisto to Meier's Lake. We must go up and over this pretty good sized mountain. It is about 5 miles from the base of the Hump to the Gakona. It's just one thing after another on the Copper Basin 300. Part of what makes it such a great qualifying race.

The Copper Basin 300 is a race of challenges. In the blink of an eye, it can all change. (For a more detailed blog entry I did on the CB300, click here)

I feel like I am mentally and physically prepared for the obstacles that will be thrown my way. I am not delusional. This race is going to kick my ass. It kicks everyone's ass who runs it. I have two goals for this race. Have fun! Finish with a happy team. So, the water crossings might not be the most enjoyable part, but it's an amazing learning experience for me and the team. We will need to work together to get across. 

The Copper Basin has a Facebook page as well as a website that will have pictures and updates throughout the race. 

As a former race organizer, I ask that you be patient with updates. The CB300 is put on completely by volunteers. People from our communities come out and stand in the cold and wind, stay up long hours so we can zoom around with our dogs. Sourdough checkpoint is not a town. The lodge that is there is on,y open in the winter. There is also no mobile service there. Communication from Sourdough is collected, then driven down the road to where there is mobile service and called in periodically. Occasionally there is a satellite phone or a Ham radio operator, but both are rare to have at the checkpoint. 

You can listen to the start of the race LIVE at KCAM!! Michelle Eastty and Scotty Yahr will be providing coverage and updates for the duration of the race. You can also check out KCAM's Facebook page for pictures and updates as well.

After the race, and after I catch up on sleep, I will post pictures and tales from our adventure on our Facebook page. 

Thanks to everyone who supports KMA Kennel! We appreciate you and all you do!