I can't believe I did the whole loop?!

The CB300 is far from being a distant memory as I finish up the final preparations for Yukon Quest 300 food drops that are due Saturday the 18th.  Every now and again I find myself staring off into space, reliving one of the many awesome moments from the race.

I was so excited, but terribly nervous as we left Chisto bright and early Saturday for the start in Glennallen. Once you leave the house, if you don't have it, you don't get to get it. The thought of forgetting something made me feel like I had mice scurrying in my tummy. It was a snowy drive in. Even though I was talking with Darrin the entire way in, my mind was already on the trail...crossing rivers, going over mountains, giving the dogs snacks and straw. 

We arrived and parked by number 30, my bib number. The vets came over and did a thorough vet check and gave rave reviews about the condition of the team. That made me feel good. It was also calming to drop the dogs and give each one a huge hug and belly rub. After dropping the dogs and getting the sled down, I was totally at ease. All the mice that were once scurrying in my tummy had scurried off. Two of my best buds drove all the way out from Anchorage to see me off. It was great to know that I had such support as I was about to begin one of the biggest challenges I had yet to face  

Our dog truck in position

Me!

After packing the sled, I walked around, visiting and laughing with friends, fellow mushers and chatting up strangers who were out to watch the start. Time passed quickly and soon it was time to hook up the team. The dogs were already booted and had their harnesses on. All we had to do was put them on the line. This too went by fast. Next thing I knew, Red and Heather were driving up in the side by side, taking my hook and off we went to the start line. 

The dogs are dressed and booted and ready to roll!

Our sled ready to go. Hope I didn't forget anything!!

I took some pics as I wandered around watching teams leave. This is our friend, Michelle Phillips, getting ready to hit the trail.

Michelle's team all lined out.

Time to hook up!

I had envisioned what this moment would be like for years. It was nothing like I had imagined. It was more. I have started numerous races, and his was unlike any other. From the time I pulled the quick release, I was hearing cheering, getting and giving high fives and heard my name yelled out again and again. It was wild. The closer we got to the starting chute, the louder it was. Once at the line, there was a swarm of people around the sled. Everyone shaking me and giving one armed hugs and well wishes for a safe and fun race. 

I was asked a million times if I was nervous. Nope. Not at all. Anxious to get on the trail and just happy to be there.

Stopping at the road crossing.

Waiting patiently for our turn.

Almost there!

Fozzie and Kermit

Kayak, Glacier and Zane behind them, all ready to go!!

The dogs were pros. Siscu and Mystic kept the line tight and everyone was looking down the trail, ready to get the show on the road. There was some barking and harness banging. Kisses being given to their neighbor and smiles and wagging tails for everyone. 

Then the countdown 10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2..1...GOOOOOOO! 

The crowd went wild!

At least that what it seemed like to me. The screaming and yelling seemed deafening. I think I might have been the loudest as we took off like a shot. 

"Ms Heidi!" "Go Ms Heidi!" "Woohoo Ms Heidi!!"

I was the hometown girl in the hometown race. 

Pulling the hooks!

WoOOOoooOHoooOOOo!!!!!!

Off we go!

The energy from the start carried on as we zipped through town and headed for Chisto. Trucks and cars went by, honking and students' heads were hanging out the windows yelling and cheering. It was lots of fun. 

The run to Chisto was not a fast one. The trail had fallen apart and we were slogging along. There was lots of passing going on. We passed, and were passed and passed again. The game of leap frog went on for the 50 mile run to Chisto. 

Traveling down the power line in Gakona. You can see the line of teams as we make our way to Chisto.

Arriving in Chisto was a trip. Showing up in your home village while running the Copper Basin 300 was unlike any other checkpoint. "Welcome home Heidi!" I got to work and did my checkpoint routine that I had practiced to many times before. The dogs were once again pros. They ate, drank and rested. I stayed 4 hours. As I was hooking up the final dogs, the team pulled the hook. Luckily Darrin was back by the sled and caught it before they took off without me! I pulled hook and off we went, zig-zagging through the checkpoint and onto the bike path. We passed our kennel with out as much as a pause and zoomed up our home trail...the Chisto Trail. 

Chisto Checkpoint. (Darrin in the seal hat)

There was a nice bonfire by the checkers to stay warm.

It was such an awesome night. The moon was bright and the lights danced across the sky. Again there was some leap frogging going on as we made our way to Meier's Lake. I passed a team about 1/4 of a mile before dropping down into Sinona Valley. My head had been on a swivel until that point looking at the lights as they dipped and bursts in the night sky. Now, as I dropped into the valley, the lights came down to meet me. It was the most amazing thing I have ever witnessed. The lights dropped to the ground, lighting up the snow on either side of us. The dogs looked all around in equal amazement of the light show. Swirling and dancing in time with their footsteps. Then, like a veil being lifted, they were back in the sky. 

We continued on, moving well. The dogs had a great rhythm going and worked as a solid cohesive unit. Through gullets and gulches we made our way towards the first major obstacle, Excelsior Creek. Excelsior Creek can fold the best of teams. Even though the water is usually only an inch deep at the most and about a yard across, dogs don't seem to care for crossing it so much. I knew where the creek was, turned my headlamp on high (I had my light off until this point due to the night moonlight) and started calling them up and moving my head side to side as if I saw a moose or something exciting to chase. Before they knew it we had passed through the creek without hesitation. 

Knowing that the Hump and an open Gakona River were ahead, waiting for us, I made short order of removing everyone's booties and stuffed them in my sled. 

The Hump was bathed in moonlight. 3 pinpricks of light from fellow mushers making their way up reminded me of the Alaska license plate with the miners going up the Chilkoot Trail. Behind me several pinpricks of light were making their way across Excelsior. The team saw the ascent and charged up the first of many pitches. It was awesome to feel such power in the team as we marched up the Hump. I have a few kicks here and there, but was unable to keep up and be of much help on the most part. It seemed to take no time at all and we were sailing on the snowy ridge. The view was jaw dropping. Northern lights all around, the Alaska Range in all it's glory, and the waiting Gakona River down below. I got goosebumps looking around and watching my amazing team as they worked as one. 

Excelsior Creek (old pic from a couple years ago that I took)

The descent was like a rollar coaster ride in a pile of feathers. The deep snow allowed me to have total control of the team's speed, ensuring that no one got hurt from going to fast down the backside of the Hump. In no time at all we and arrived at the Gakona River. Well before the race even started, it was made known that the Gakona River was going to be a wet crossing. Not just wet, but wide, deep, and flowing. It was about a team and a half wide and 8 inches deep. The current was moving pretty good, but nothing that would take you off your feet if you were just standing in it. When I arrived there were two teams in the river and one in deck, waiting to cross. As with everything, dog teams and mushers each have strengths and weaknesses. Water crossings are usually a weakness and often psychs out the musher. Wating for the teams to get through, I chatted with the musher in front of me. We made a plan. I would take his sled and he would take his leaders and together we would get his team through them get my team. As we waited more teams showed up. A friend was behind me and we chatted about what we were going to do. This became the plan for everyone else as well. I helped the guy in front of me, my friend took my sled and I ran beside my leaders as we went through the water, then the musher behind her helped her and so on. It was a great system. 

Picture from the CB300 Facebook page. Jamey at the Gakona River Crossing

Once through the water I let the dogs roll around in all the loose snow to dry off. I took walked in it to get the ice off my boots. I wore Neos over my Steger Mukluks and had warm, dry feet. They were just coated in ice. Once we were dry, we hit the trail. There were a few more open leads of water, but nothing wide or deep and the team easily made their way through. 

We arrived at Meier's Lake and parked. At this point I felt like total crap. I had come down with what was being called the Copper Basin Crud. It starts about 5 miles out of Chisto. By the time I arrived at Meier's Lake, it was full blown. I could hardly walk, breathe and was so hot I thought I was going to melt. Needless to say, I wasn't exactly efficient at Meier's. I stayed 6:30 there. I was so slow getting it together. I planed only to take my mandatory 6, but the extra half hour was just time in the bank for the dogs. I double fed them and gave them a nice broth. They were eating machines and didn't seem tired at all.

Inca at Meier's Lake

Trucks at Meier's Lake

I pulled hook and off we went. The run from Meier's to Sourdough was a blast to drive. There are hills right away as you leave. You get quick elevation and great views of the country behind you. It was somewhat flat light and there was a ton of snow, weighing the trees down. I started feeling much better about an hour out from Meier's Lake. I was relieved. 

The run to Sourdough went by in a snap! 

Going up hill leaving Meier's

There was lots of snow

I quickly fed and bedded the dogs. Sourdough is not a lodge...well, in the winter it's closed. No one lives in Sourdough in the winter. It's like a ghost town. There is a cabin that's open for the mushers during the race, but it is quite a ways away and is always loud and full. I knew this from my years of organizing, volunteering and officiating on the race. There is a,so no water for mushers. Therefore we had to melt snow. I was prepared for this as well and sent out a bag of ice. I had hot boiling water in no time. After eating my personal food and getting hydrated, I curled up in the straw with Kermit and Kayak and slept for an hour. At this point of the race I had had only 1 hour of sleep, and that was at Meier's. (We split a room with friends there and dried everything out completely before hitting the trail again) Sleep was welcomed. I woke 7 minutes before my alarm. I hopped up and started getting ready to go. My official rest time at Sourdough was 3:30. 

Sourdough Checkpoint was more like a tent city. The NPS staff who volunteered here was AWESOME! They were having a blast!

I had been warned that here was a reroute around some overflow on Fish Lake. I knew that there was water all the way around the loop and was happy to hear they routed around this section of it. We still encountered overflow on the trail, but the section we routed around a pretty long stretch. On this run Inca hurt his shoulder and needed to be loaded in the sled. Inca is not a small dog by any means. In fact, he's one of the biggest males we have. Having his extra weight in the sled didn't seem to slow us down. We crossed lakes, and went up and down the hills arriving at Lake Louise with good spirits. 

Once again I got to work doing the checkpoint routine. Once the dogs were down I fed myself and grabbed another hour nap. This time under a table. I was feeling awesome and the team was looking great. I was bummed about having to drop Inca. I was really hoping to finish with all 12 dogs. Things were very relaxed at Lake Louise. At this point I was traveling within the same group of mushers. We had been continuing our game of leap frog down the trail to Lake Louise. It was also at this post where people started to get their mean on. There was one crux left in the race. Tolsona and the loop.  

New to the CB300 this year was an out and back from Tolsona to Crosswind Lake. This meant having to come and go from the Tolsona checkpoint...twice...at the end of a race. There was mixed emotions about this from mushers. I saw it as a challenge and a learning opportunity. It was a chance for me to gain confidence in myself and my team. With my plan of running the 2016 Yukon Quest, I need to be able to drive my team in and out of checkpoints with as few hitches as possible. My plan was to run from Lake Louise to Tolsona, blow though Tolsona, do the out and back, blow through Tolsona again and run to the finish line in Glennallen. 

As I was getting ready to leave Lake Louise, I was envisioning how it was going to look going through Tolsona. What would I do if the team didn't want to go? What would I do if I thought they needed to rest? I had already thought about all of this a million times before, but it needed to be thought about again and again. 

Off we went. It was a nice run over to Tolsona. The dogs knew where we were since we had traveled the trail in March for the Sheep Mtn 300. Once again some leapfrogging with other teams. 

As we started across the Tolsona Lake into the checkpoint, I could see a friend, and nearest competition, leaving on the other side. I knew exactly how far behind him I was. I tucked this info away.  We arrived and I dropped Kermit. She had hurt her wrist and didn't need to go on any more. I checked in and out as quickly as I could, then took off for the out and back. We had also done this on the Sheep Mtn 300, so I knew where I was all along. On this part of the race, there was head on passing. This also allowed mushers to know how close, or far away, the other teams were around them. I had one head on pass going out and about 4 or more coming back. 

I knew I was getting close to the turn around and planned to snack the dogs again there. That's where I came upon friend who was leaving Tolsona as I was arriving. He had stopped to snack as well. Knowing the turn around was just a stone's throw away, I snacked with beef instated of a wet snack. Passing a snack stop can be difficult. Passing a wet snack spot can really be a pain in the arse, with dogs diving to nab left over kibble on the trail and wanting to stop and dog up the leftovers. My friend wet snacked. We chatted for a few minutes, giving the dogs time to digest some, pee and do their business as needed. Then it was time to go. His team wasn't quite finished eating yet, so I passed and  dropped down in the lake. I waited for him to come as the trail was right and was on a turn. I didn't want to have a head on there. Disaster! After about 30 seconds down he can and we left. Knowing we had to go over his snacking spot, I called the dogs up and zoomed over it. Phew! 

It was here when the team really turned it on. Our run it had been on the slower side, but we clipped right along heading back. It was light driving a freight train. (I'm sure we were only going like 8 mph, but it felt faster.). I could feel their combined power surge through the handlebow. I was on cloud 9. The closer we got to Tolsona Lake, the more I thought about running through...again. Which dogs would be where? Who would be in lead? The potential for less than awesomeness was lurking and I wanted to kick it in the butt. I knew the team could do it and wanted to set them up for success. 

On each snack break running back from Crosswind to Tolsona, I'd move a dog, or two, into the position I wanted them for the second "Tolsona Blow Thru." I did my final stop right before getting back on the lake. With Siscu and Fozzie in lead, followed by Zoee and Kayak in swing, I felt confident about the blow though. I didn't need to get into my drop bags. All I had to do was check in and out. 

The team loped down the in trail, again, and we came to a halt in front of the checkers. I said, "I'm checking in and out."  The checker seemed surprise. I was sure it was because I was so far back in the pack that he was wondering why I'd blow through. I did my gear check, signed in both places. And looked for the out trail. That's when I saw it. A HUGE pile of straw as well as straw that a team had just left...all laid out across the out trail. "Awesome," I thought. "You have to be freaking kidding me!!" I pulled hooks, and, using my big doggie voice, I gave the command to go. I gee-hawed the team around the straw and we shot up the ramp and dove behind the lodge, making our way to the finish line. 

I wanted to cry. The team executed the "Tolsona Blow Thru" perfectly. 

We climbed up a twisting fun trail, came out to the section line and then finally into the ditch. I stopped the team, rubbed heads, have hugs to everyone and did a happy jig. After all that, I moved dogs around, throwing Scooter and Zoee up front for the final leg in. 

The team moved well and we had no issues coming into Glennallen. 

Once at the Brown Bear, the trail went left and this began our unguided tour of the underbelly of Glennallen. We went every which way back there. When we finally popped out into yet another ditch, which was the out from Glennallen for the start, the team took off in a full lope. We were about a mile or more from the finish line. I had Kayak in lead with Scooter. Zoee is shy of crowds, so she was now in swing driving hard. The sled got air as we jumped driveways, clanging as we landed. The team knew they were headed "home." I didn't call them up until the final stretch by the fireworks stand. Man, they kicked into a whole new gear. 

As we rounded the final corner, the lights of the Old Paths Chruch and the Copper Basin 300 sign came into view. We were a freight train headed for the promised land! 

We came rolling across the finish line. I yelled whoa! And threw down the hooks. Suddenly, I was mobbed by all sorts of people. I was completely overwhelmed. Handshakes and hugs. I did my final gear check of the race and signed in one final time. It was surreal. I got a huge embrass from Darrin, him telling me how proud he was of me. I almost lost it at that point, but I managed to keep it together. 

All the while the dogs were wagging their tails and smiling. They looked like they could run all the way back to Chisto! I was so proud of them. They're amazing group of dogs. 

I ran the team to the truck where the crowd followed us to. After a meat snack to each dog, I started taking booties off and doing dog chores. Darrin said I could take a break and visit. That he had it. It had become such a habit over the past few days, that I didn't think anyone of it. He and a super good friend of ours took the remainder of the booties off and took care of the dogs as I chatted with folks. 

There was a small mob of children who were eager to visit the dogs. I told them about each one and let them pat them. I don't think I ever stopped smiling. I was so full of happiness and an overwhelming sense of accomplishment. About 10-15 minutes after I had finished, someone said something that I didn't quite catch but made me ask, "What position did I finish in?"  I had no idea and figured I was between like 28-36. I was told during an interview with KCAM in Meier's that I was 24. But a lot had happened since then. 

"You came in 12th!"

Huh? 12th?! No way!! 

I about tipped over! I found out later that I had passed a bunch of teams when I blew through Tolsona. I also found out that I was only one of four mushers that had run all the way in to Glennallen from Lake Louise, blowing through Tolsona twice. This was a lot for me to process. 

Thank you AP&T for your support!

After sometime of visiting and answering questions about the river crossing and more, the dogs, Darrin and I headed home to Chisto. I was pretty amped up and didn't sleep right away, even though I had only slept for 3 hours the entire race. 

Tuesday night was the finish banquet. Most of the mushers had already left. The CB300 only pays out to the top 4. I didn't win any money, but I did win 100 booties that were donated by John Cooper of Kipmik!! That was exciting. 

Finish banquet (photo courtesy Brad Henspeter)

After the banquet, it was time to say bye to everyone. Time for all of us to head back to our different parts of the world. Until the next race anyways. 

Mushing is an amazing sport. It brings together so many people from so many different walks of life. Friendships are formed between unlikely people. It's wonderful to see and experience. 

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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! 

December Nights December Lights

"Ms Heidi, it's getting dark outside."

 This is the topic of conversation at school everyday. How dark it is. We go to school in the dark. We go home in the dark. My classroom has a variety of colored lights strung around the room.

There are blue lights by the door, stars above the whiteboard, red and white lights near the front of the room, multicolored lights around the large windows and blue and white snowflakes by my desk. The small table lamp throws a soft and gentle light for reading during our SSR time after recess. The large floor lamp, with it's 5 long arms bending every which way cast shadows on the floor and walls; great for shadow puppets. The kids stare in wonder and amazement at the lava lamp in the window. Eyes watching as the "lava" gloops make their way up, collide, cool and then drop back down, only to repeat the cycle.

I love this time of year. The dark The cold. The DARKNESS! Yes, I love the dark. I love the drama of light this time of year. How the sky is on fire and is quickly extinguished as the sun dips below the horizon. How the clouds look like cotton candy, soft colors of pastel, hanging above the pink lemonade mountains. Dancing with our moon shadows on those full moon nights as we glide down the trail, with the moon lighting our way. The winter world is a mysterious world that is best observed from the back of a dog team. 

December is a time of darkness. It is also a time of light, accentuated by the cold.

For mushers, it's a time of batteries, chargers, headlamps and cords. Oh those damn cords! 

The headlamp season is upon us. The time of year when we grow a third glowing eye, right in the center of our forehead. These "third eyes" come in a variety of colors and brightness. Red, green, shades of blue, bright white and dim yellow. And like two cars meeting on the road, mushers too must dim their lights when encountering another person or else blind them. Walk into any musher's house and you are sure to see headlamps hung, slung and forgotten in every nook and cranny in the house. You never know when you're going to need one, so you had better be ready. Chargers are plugged into available outlets, along side the iPod and mobile phone; cords creating a tangled web of wires (oh those damn cords!). On their person at any given time, you will find no less than 2 headlamps stuff into pockets and askew on heads. Mushers look like some kind of droid, with cords and plugs going every which way from random pockets deep in the thick layers in an attempt to keep the batteries warm and emitting energy to keep those ever important headlamps glowing. 

Running dogs at night with a headlamp changes the experience completely. Not only is there limited visibility, the light cuts through the darkness like a light saber. Where you look, there shall be light. With every turn the headlamp shreds the darkness, no match for the thousands of lumens strapped to the musher's head. Running at night during a snowstorm is a lot like being in a Star Wars movie. The Kid would always sing the Star Wars Theme Song when we were out in a storm. I find the tune bouncing around in my head from time to time as we make our way through the thousands of little flakes coming at my face.

In cold temperatures, frost glistens and glows like a million eyes, watching you as you make your way down the trail. Sometimes, what you think is frost, are really a set of eyes. Our trail system is home to wolves, lynx, caribou, moose and coyotes. It isn't unusual to see a pair of eyes glowing bright in your headlamp as you trot past. 

Winter in Alaska is a magical time.

Some of these pics are of poor quality due to the darkness, but I hope that you enjoy taking a sneak peak into the winter world from the warmth of your house.

For more pictures and stories from the trail, check out the KMA Kennel Facebook page and the KMA Kennel website

Happy Winter!!

Tozi and Siscu silhouetted by a light plant at the Chistochina checkpoint in the 2010 Copper Basin 300

You know the Star Wars theme song is going through your head right now

Third eye glowing bright, lighting the way home

Snow lit up by the flash of the camera.

Eyes, watching my every move.

A bright blue bird day makes the white snow seem to glow.

Drying gear off at the tent camp. Headlamp lights the tent.

The tent is quickly in the shadows as the sun starts to dip down for the day.

Inside the tent, the sun lights it up, no need for a headlamp yet.

The colors of the sky and the snow as the sun sets is stunning.

Snow covered trees highlighted by the rising sun.

The sun sets, making everything orange and purple.

This time of year, we get a double sun rise. The sun rises to the left of Mt Sanford, skirts behind it, the pops out again on the right (seen here). The sun is not very high in the sky this time of year, making this a special event to witness.

Mushing off into the sunset.

Obviously, not from a dog team, but I love how the light and the fog from the Chistochina River play together. It was -45F during this sunset after school.

Sunset at -45F on my way home from school.

Sun dogs

The arctic oven as seen from the outside, lit up with 2 headlamps.

So, what are your race plans for the season?

A question posed to mushers probably on a weekly basis, if not more. 

There's been an interesting trend so far this year. Mid-distance races are filling up within hours of accepting entries, if not minutes. Mushers are setting alarms and waking up at midnight, logging onto the Internet to sign up online for the race of their choice. Maybe they get in. Maybe they don't. Maybe someone will withdraw and they can get off the wait list. Here is a list of races mushers have signed up for so far. The list is compiled by a friend over at Mushing Tech. The list is my both musher and by race. It's easy to use and is updated as different races accept entries. Check it out to see who is signed up for what thus far.

So far this year, I have signed up to run the Alaska Excursions 120, the Copper Basin 300 and the Yukon Quest 300. There are 2 other races I am hoping to run as well; the Solstice 100 and the Kobuk 440. I have never run any of these races before. (In the previous entry, I talk about the CB300 and what little I know about it.)

The Alaska Excursions race is on trails I have never been on in my life. I have heard about the knotted amount of trails down there and how easy it is to get lost. I am looking forward to being on a new trail system. I know the dogs will have a blast. The Alaska Excursions 120 is like a sprint race on crack. There are two heats, one on Saturday and one on Sunday, each about 42 miles long or so. Trail conditions change rapidly down that way, so it's never totally set in stone. This style of racing will be different than what we have ever done before. Mushers are allowed to have 10 dogs on the line but have a pool of 12 dogs to draw from. There is no mandatory gear. That's right. I will not be packing the kitchen sink on this race. My sled won't be empty though. I'm sure I will have a few things banging around in there. The Alaska Excursions takes place in December. My plan originally was to run the Sheep Mountain 150. Due to the lodge closing for the winter, the race was taken off the schedule as it was no longer happening. The Alaska Excursions will be a fun race tostart the season off with!

The next race on the schedule is the Copper Basin 300. (Check out the post I did on the CB300.)

After the CB300 is the Yukon Quest 300. The YQ300 starts in Fairbanks this year. Just like the 1000 miler, the race start alternates between Fairbanks, Alaska and Whitehorse, Canada. Usually when the race starts on the Alaska side, the number of entrants is low. Not this year. The field is full. This is very surprising, and I also think its the first time this has happened. The YQ300 is another ass kicker of a race. The race route follows the YQ trail from Fairbanks to Circle then heads back to Central where it finishes. Starting in this direction means that mushers must go up and over Rosebud and Eagle Summit. Both have stopped teams in their tracks. Eagle Summit has ended many the races for mushers. In 2006, group of 6 YQ1000 mushers were rescued off Eagle Summit after getting lost in a storm. Needless to say, I have incredible respect for Eagle Summit, as well as the lesser talked about Rosebud. When Darrin ran the 1000 mile YQ last year, and climbed Eagle Summit, the weather couldn't have been better if you had planned it! He and Cody had a stunningly beautiful blue bird day. Eagle Summit is also a favorite place for media, camera crews and others wanting to witness teams coming up and over to station themselves. This being the case, there was some amazing footage of the two going up and over. (Watch a short clip of the guys going up and over.)

I chose to run the YQ300 in preparation for 2016 when I plan (paws crossed) to run the 1000 mile Yukon Quest. By seeing and experiencing just a small piece, about 1/3, of the trail I will have a better idea of what's out there. It also gives dogs who haven't seen that part of the trail before a chance to see it as well. 

After the YQ300 we have a couple of months off from racing, unless we decide to do the Two Rivers 200 in March. In April is the Kobuk 440. The Kobuk starts and finishes in Kotzebue, which is up above the Arctic Circle. This is not a race for someone looking to have a leisurely stroll in the springtime. The Kobuk 440 traverses some of the most beautiful country Alaska has to offer, all at a pretty good clip. The 440 is mostly a loop, but has some doubling up on trail usage, that go through the welcoming villages of the Northwest Arctic. Darrin ran this race a couple of years ago. Like I mentioned, the Kobuk 440 takes place above the Arctic Circle. What this means is sun...or at least the potential for sun...and lots of it! In preparation for Darrin's go at the 440, I made white capes for all the dogs. The white reflects the sun and helps keep the dogs cool during the heat of the day. The capes are worn under the harnesses, thus making it awesome for snow to be stuffed up under to help cool dogs as needed. The most amazing feature of the capes...they make the dogs go oh so much faster...they just "fly" down the trail!

I have wanted to run the Kobuk 440 for a long time. Besides the pieces falling into place allowing me to run it, my thought is this...if 36 hours after finishing the race on minimal rest I want to hop back on the runners and do it all again...then mentally I think I might be ready for the YQ itself. (In the Yukon Quest, mushers get a 36 hour layover in Dawson City. This is roughly half way through the race, which is also about the distance of the Kobuk 440.)

If you are interested in helping get me down the trail and off to races (it will cost roughly $2000 to fly the dogs to Kotzebue and back. Doesn't include personal airfare), please check out our website st www.kmakennel.com. There are lots of ways you can be part of the team. 

Darrin during the mass start of the 2012 Kobuk 440 (Thanks Cathy for all  the pics!)

Mass start of the 2012 Kobuk 440

Not only do the dogs have their capes on, but Darrin does as well.

Darrin getting some hot water that is prepared and maintained by the hardworking volunteers that makes this race, and other races alike, going. THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS!!!

Tozi taking a break in the warm Arctic sun.

Team heading back out on the trail.

Copper Basin 300

Last year there were numerous pieces that fell into place allowing me to do the number of races I am planning to do this winter. The Kid is in Italy for a year. I am teaching at a smaller school closer to home (same school district though). We have a core of dogs that finished the Yukon Quest with Darrin in February. It just seemed like the perfect conditions for me to be able to race hard this winter.

Having a career and a child really has helped in planning out my racing future. Until this year, I have always had to pick and choose what race I did for the winter based on the number of personal days I had, the schedule of the race and mesh it with what The Kid was doing in school; be it sports, theater or teenage activities such as dances. I loved my weekend racing that I did. I was a mini-vacation during a busy time of year for me.

About 7 or 8 years ago, I got involved with the Copper Basin 300. Darrin had run the race a few times and I had handled for him a couple of times. In fact, how Darrin and I met was on the Copper Basin in 2000; but that's another story...I volunteered for the Copper Basin, then ended up being on the board and a race official for a few years. It was a great experience. Now this year, for the first time, I will be running the Copper Basin 300.

I must admit, I am most nervous about running the CB300 more than any other race I am signed up to do. I have seen first hand how quickly this 300 mile loop through the wilderness can grab you by the throat, shake you up, dunk you in freezing cold water, and toss you to the side. Every year I would hear mushers say, "I forgot how much this race kick's my ass!" After one particularly difficult CB300, it was stated that the Iditarod should be a qualifier for the Copper Basin 300. There are so many factors that make the Copper Basin 300 a tough race which is one of the reasons why I want to run this race. I am planning on running the 2016 Yukon Quest and I need to run races that are difficult and will test me. The Copper Basin will test me, and more.

The Cb300 trail is a loop. This means you never travel over any of the same trail twice. Great for us, not always so great for the people putting in the trail. Keeping in, and maintaining 300 miles of trail through the back country of Alaska, through country no one travels, is no easy task. High winds, blizzards, overflow, open water on rivers make the task that mush more difficult. Oh, and then there's the cold temperatures we get. It is not unusual for it to be -40 and -50 for days and weeks on end when the trail breakers need to be out putting in the trail and setting the base. The trail will be awesome in certain sections, and total crap in other sections. There are three places on the race that are always asked about; Excelsior Creek,  The Hump and the Gakona River.

Excelsior Creek  is a wee little creek that flows through an open area prior to the Hump. There is a dry crossing and a wet crossing. Depends on the conditions and the trail breakers where the trail goes. The dry crossing is not always a guarantee that it will be dry. The creek is always open in one spot. Looking at it, it might not seem like a big deal, but it has stopped many the teams in their tracks. There is a pretty good up and down to the creek which gets icy as team splash their way through. Many mushers get wet here as they slip slide their way to their leaders to guide them across. Getting wet at the temperatures that we often see on the CB300 is never fun. Once across the creek, it's smooth sailing until The Hump.

The Hump is, well, a hump that you must go up and over between Chistochina and Paxson. It is often windy, drifted, blown in trail, and at the top, rocks and bare ground. Trail markers have been known to blow away, and the permanent markers that were driven into the ground years ago might not always be visible in high wind situations as the snow is blowing all around. With the race starting in Glennallen, teams go over The Hump at night. Once you get up, and start across the summit, you hope you're on the right trail as you start your decent down the other side. Waiting for mushers at the bottom of The Hump is the Gakona River.

River conditions in Alaska can change within hours. Conditions also change when snowmachines go over the river. There is no way to predict how the Gakona River will be. Even if someone goes and looks at the river hours before the race starts, by the time teams get to the river, it is a different beast. I have witnessed the aftermath and heard horror stories of teams swimming, floating and hoping for the best as they crossed the Gakona River. You can bet I will be wearing Bunny Boots, and maybe a life jacket this year as I cross the Gakona.

The CB300 takes place on the second Saturday in January. A cold and dark time of the year. It's not unheard of to have temperatures dip to -50 and stay there. It's also not unusual to start the race at -35 then end in a blizzard at 30 above. Last year teams finished with mushers wearing t-shirts and jeans. You just never know what Mother Nature will throw at you, but you must always be prepared.

All of this aside, I am very excited to race my first Copper Basin 300. I will be starting 36th out of a field of 45. I have seen a majority of the trail, but there are some key sections I have not seen, and I am looking forward to it. Living in Chistochina, the first check point, we train on the Copper Basin Trail. I have also competed in other races that have occurred over the years in the valley that use parts of the trail. I have no doubt that after I finish I too will utter, "This race kicked my ass!"

Bookmark KCAM RADIO and tune in January 11th to hear the live broadcast of the start of the 2014 Copper Basin 300. 

Myself with Michelle Eastty of KCAM Radio and Eric Lutz at the start in Paxson. KCAM does a live broadcast of the Copper Basin start and gives regular updates.

Checkpoint at Meier's Lake. Myself and volunteers stayed in the wee little red hut for the duration of the checkpoint.

Me and The Kid at the start in Chistochina giving the countdown.

Volunteers make races happen.These ladies are awesome! (Me on the far right) (Thanks Laurie for the picture!)

Darrin at the start in Paxson. (Thanks Theresa Daily for the picture!)

One of my favorite pictures. We started the race in Glennallen and did the loop clockwise. Here teams are still close together as they travel in the ditch along the Glenn Highway. (Thanks Lauren for the picture!)

Darrin and the team at the start in Paxson. The dogs are wearing t-shirts that help reduce harness rubs.

Darrin with Mt Drum in the background. (Thanks Lauren for the picture!)

Snapping a quick picture with Cindy Abbott after she registered for the CB300 2 years ago. (Thanks Cindy for the picture!)

Coming back with a team after doing a training run to The Hump and back a couple of years ago. Here we are dropping into Excelsior Valley.

On top of The Hump, overlooking the Gakona River. I turned the team around here and headed back home.

Darrin at the start of yet another CB300. You can see all the support needed to make a race happen.

Climbing up The Hump on our training run.

There are some amazing views from the high country.

Mushing Addicts and their Supporters

Every where you look you see branding. Wrangler written with a rope across the shirt of a rodeo cowboy...a giant M&M on a speedy race car.... Branding is all around us. For the cowboy and the race car driver, with that branding comes support allowing them to do what they love. In exchange the company gets their logo flashed around and seen by who knows how many people. (I'm sure someone knows the exact figures, but it certainly isn't me) in a given targeted demographic.

Mushing is no different. Tune into the start of the Yukon Quest or better yet, the Iditarod, to see branding galore. Banners hung along the starting chute, all in view of everyone. You cannot get a picture at the Iditarod without getting some companies banner in the shot as well. It's brilliant marketing. The money from the companies allows the organizing committee for a given race to put on the race, have a purse, provide things like straw and food for mushers at checkpoints and so much more. 

Like other athletes, mushers too seek individual sponsorship. It can come in the form of money, in kind, product or some other form in which it helps out the kennel and the team. This is the first time KMA Kennel has actively seemed sponsorship. It's a big deal. We have been such a private kennel, that it feels slightly uncomfortable and sometimes awkward asking people for sponsorship. 

It was difficult to accept my first form of sponsorship last year from dear, dear friends at Photography on the Kenai. They help to sponsor me in running the Sheep Mountain 300 in March. Luckily, I didn't disappoint too badly, as I finished in 2nd place. Bob, at Photography on the Kenai, takes gorgeous photographs. He specializes in landscapes, wildlife, nature, sporting events, including my favorite MUSHING! Need amazing photos for your business or brochures...have a special event you want captured on film? Give Bob a call and he will not disappoint!

This year I'm excited to say that we have several new, and returning, sponsors. 

KCAM is the local radio station in Glennallen. This little station covers EVERY event in the Cooper Basin. Scotty and Michelle will travel hundreds of miles to bring love coverage of basketball and hockey games for us back home, unable to go see the game in person. KCAM is also a huge supporter, and sponsor, of the Copper Basin 300. Not only do they provide live coverage of the start, but they also give up to the minute updates on the race until the final musher has crossed the line. KCAM interviews mushers pre and post race to allow fans an insight not otherwise had as just a regular spectator. KCAM supports the Copper Basin community. This year, KCAM is an official sponsor of KMA Kennel as well! We are very excited to have KCAM on board as a sponsor. 

Last year for Darrin's human food, Susie, from Maclaren River Lodge, whipped up an amazing, mouthwatering assortment of meals. Alan and Susie are family and their undying support of us and the dogs is amazing. We always know that we can count on them for anything we need. We LOVE training out of the lodge on the Denali Highway. There's nothing like coming in from a bone chilling run into a cozy warm lodge and being met with huge meal of homemade bread, soups and so much more. Maclaren River Lodge is truly our home away from home. 

Norbert at the lodge this summer

When looking for sponsors, I wanted to reach out to people who support mushing, an outdoors lifestyle as well as had an amazing reputation. One such company is Steger Mukluks. Bonnie and Patti have been awesome to work with and equally excited as I am to have them on board as a sponsor. Steger Mukluks are high quality footwear worn by mushers everywhere. These boots don't quit! They're warm, comfortable, and for those who are looking for something fashionable, they're that as well. You don't need to wear "clod-hoppers" to have warm feet! 

When sponsoring an event or a team, no deed or amount is too small. For three years now, we have been the kennel of choice by Mrs. Pacheco's 6th Grade reading class all the way down in White Rock, MO! These kids are amazing! They ask awesome questions. Each year the class picks a dog or two (who can pick just one anyways?!) and sponsors that dog. The class has fundraiser a, such as a bake sale, to be able to purchase item for "their" dogs. Last year the class went way above and beyond and was able to purchase 12 brand new harnesses! On top of that, we received some great letters, delicious honey and some very cozy article socks made from alpaca. Holy cow do these kids rock or what?!

We also have some individual supports who decided that theywould like to sponsor a dog, or two, for the racing season. A HUGE HOWL goes out to Lois, Jan, Leslie and SDS for supporting Boris, Norbert, Norway and Kermit. Thank you for your generous support!

If you are interested in sponsoring a dog, or two, check out our KMA KENNEL WEBSITE. There are many ways you can help sponsor KMA Kennel this racing season. Feel free to send me an email at kmakennel42@gmail.com. Check out our FACEBOOK page for regular pictures and updates. I look forward to hearing from you, and hopefully adding your name, business and logo to our website soon.