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Message: <blockquote data-quote="3Roosters" data-source="post: 160305" data-attributes="member: 1351">[h=1]march 11 8:25pm Kaltag  Mitch Seavey Defends Lead into Kaltag[/h]    Posted by <a href="http://iditarod.com/author/joerunyan/" target="_blank">Joe Runyan</a>     Date: March 11, 2017 9:08 pmmarch 11 8:25pm Kaltag  Mitch Seavey Defends Lead into KaltagJoe Runyan<img src="http://d3r6t1k4mqz5i.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/IMG_20170311_194518882-300x169.jpg?x86326" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" />Mitch Seavey in Kaltag takes off boots, beds down dogsCheck out the great video at the Insider and the TRacker tool to appreciate the separation Mitch SEavey has accumulated over the last 24 hours.   Mitch arrived Kaltag at 7:40 pm, about fifty miles ahead of competitor Wade Marrs.  Pundits will argue that technical details complicate that lead.   For example, Mitch is taking his mandatory 8 hour rest required of mushers at some point on the Yukon, but I think it’s frivolous details.  The fact is he’s guarding a fifty mile lead and he can afford to rest his team and look backwards at the pack chasing.Well, the drama will be interesting, but my take —-my opinion only—-it will be difficult for the pack to reel in Mitch.   Standing on the high bank of the Yukon, a local next to me said, “Look at those dogs loping, man, they’re moving.”   Mitch and team came up the high bank on a steep slip and stopped in front of the city hall for check in.  The impression was one of power,  each dog leaning into Mitch’s modified freight harness.  At the dog yard he guieded the dog into a protective slot against a building to break the wind and while bedding the team down carrieds, on an animated conversation with four veterinarians examining each dog.Accomodation for Kaltag’s only musher is an octogonal log community hall.  Wood heated by a stove made out of heavy pipe, its a warm place to sleep and dry out clothes.  A pilot for one of the many media following the race remarked, “Look at the size of that stove.  That’ll never burn out.”What to look for?WAde Marrs, Dallas Seavey et al is in pursuit and could arrive at one am.  They will see Mitch, but not for long.  Mitch can leave at 3:40 am and in the calculus of rest and run there is no way Wade or Dallas could leave with him.The 85 mile trail ahead to Unalakleet and the Bering Sea Coast is a historical trading portage from the Bering Sea Coast to the INterior.  Not only does it communicate between the cultures of the Yukon and the Coast, it also transfers its travelers to completely different weather systems and ecological zones.   The black spruce dominated forests of the Interior contrast with the brush tundra of the coast hammered by storm after storm originating in the Bering Sea.  On a practical level, the first 30 miles leave Kaltag and go uphill to summitt on a barrier coastal range and then descends for 55 miles to Unalakleet and the sea.This run is a traditional test in the Iditarod.  Often difficult and uncomfortable because of winds, the winning team must travel strongly on this trail.  <img src="http://d3r6t1k4mqz5i.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/IMG_20170311_193153451-300x169.jpg?x86326" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" />octogonal log community hall used for mushers<img src="http://d3r6t1k4mqz5i.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/IMG_20170311_200223374-300x169.jpg?x86326" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" />a view inside the mushers quarters. Locals partitioned off a sleeping area with a blue tarp- - - Updated - - -[ATTACH]11692[/ATTACH]enroute to next checkpoint- Unakaleet which  is 718 miles in to race.I think the winning team will come from these top 5. Either of the Seaveys, Wade Marrs, Nic Petit or Ulsom.Mitch Seavey is running 12 dogs, Dallas with 12(he changed sleds at Kaltag so now has his racing sled) he has also been carrying dogs. Wade as 13 dogs and Nic has 15 and Ulsom 12.They interviewed Dallas in Kaltag and he admitted dad Mitch's team is fast. said Dallas- He has the lead and the speed- a dangerous combination. I wouldn't count Dallas out as his personal conditioning may come into play.Check point of White Mountain- one last mandatory 8 hr rest stop- until then they can use the check points and stay or not..thus..race is really to white mountain.....you have the lead there, everyone has to stop for 8. Look for the teams to reduce their teams to the their fastest.Things to watch for...has any one over reached with their teams..going too fast for too long and now dog teams need more rest and are slowing...how about musher fatigue..its been a long grind so far, sleeping on the trail in their sled, lack of sleep..Should be an interesting rest of the race.</blockquote>

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