| The
Journey Continues – McGrath to Ophir
March 30, 2007
I have fond memories of the McGrath to Takotna run last year. We
were coming off our 24 and the dogs were flying. When we came into
Takotna, Lavon Barve said I should slow them down for the first
50 miles after the 24 – just like at the start, but that they
looked like a Fur Rondy team coming into town. I was looking forward
to the trip when I pulled the hook at 8:30 AM, after a 12 hour rest.
We were parked in a straight shot to the drop back onto the river
about 100 feet away. I’m riding my brake trying to slow the
team when we run over a tic of straw in the street. It jams under
the brake and I suddenly have no control. The drop to the river
is 30 feet and deeply grooved by previous teams. I roll the sled
at the bottom and fall/drag sharply into a block of ice with my
right shoulder. That completely takes the spark out of me and I
lie there trying to regroup. When the race officials don’t
see me appear on the river they come to see what the problem is
and help me up. That shoulder really hurts. I have full mobility,
so I haven’t torn the rotator cuff and probably haven’t
broken anything, but it takes the shine out of the day.
I’ve still got Dijon and Dash in lead and they are doing very
well – the dogs have had so much rest the whole team is just
full of themselves and act like they are on vacation at some interesting
resort. I’m going down the trail, rubbing the shoulder wishing
I hadn’t done that, when I notice the sun in on my right shoulder
– that means I’m going east. Takotna is west. I stop
to think and don’t see any markers. I’ll give it 20
minutes and if I don’t see a marker I’ll turn around.
We climb off the river on a very steep bank and I sure hope I don’t
have to go back down it. Five minutes later I’m in someone’s
front yard. Opps! There is a tight horseshoe around a tree in the
front yard to turn snowmachines around. I hear dogs barking in the
house and go knock on the door. I’m a little nervous because
some Alaskans really like their privacy and don’t like strangers.
I’d just about given up with a nice couple open the door.
They are very friendly and explain that I lost the trail about 4
miles back. They even help me turn the team around (takes about
20 minutes) and we are on our way again. I see the nasty drop, but
handle it with ease. This is very reassuring. I was worried that
I wasn’t driving the sled well; in fact I was doing ok, but
having trouble with the ruts dug by previous teams. At one of the
drivers meetings someone commented on this and Martin said “Don’t
be so far behind”.
The turn I had missed was coming off a 4 foot drop off a portage
onto the river the main trail went right, but the staked trail to
Takotna went left. My shoulder hurt enough I never saw it. At 10
AM I was back on the right trail. The rest of the run to Takotna
was uneventful.
The folks at Takotna were just as friendly as last year, even offering
me a sack lunch (sandwich, soda, cookies) as we blew through. The
dogs looked great, and off we went. It was a beautiful day, not
too cold or windy, clear blue sky. From Takotna the trail climbs
for several miles on unplowed roads to some incredible views high
in the mountains. Then it drops into mining country even crossing
some major bridges as we continue to Ophir.
The Ophir folks are taking good care of us, hauling water from the
creek so we don’t have to melt snow. They offered to share
lunch in the cabin, with a large cooler of Tang to drink. I’m
not a big Tang fan, but coming off the trail cold, tired, and thirsty
it really hits the spot.
Rosemary and Platinum are a little thin and I will have to watch
them. Dash and a couple others have splits in the webbing of their
feet. We start them on Providone ointment and antibiotics. Otherwise
the dogs still look good. As much as I’m resting they really
should. The checkpoint is chilly, but the wind isn’t blowing.
The dogs are resting in the sun and I’m off to the heated
tent for a short nap.
Keep ‘em Northbound
Eric
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