Copper
Basin 300
January 2005
We drove the 255 miles to Galena from Fairbanks in the dark and
awoke the next morning to be greeted by the Wrangell Mountains.
Our first task was to check in the food drop bags which were to be
waiting for Sandy to arrive at each checkpoint. Items included fuel, food,
straw, extra clothes, and hand warmers, etc.
The next stop was Race Central where Sandy checked in and got
the latest information about the race.
The next morning we arrived early at our assigned spot and "dropped"
the dogs out of the truck so they could be checked by the vets while
we did final packing and preparation on the sled and lines.
As race time approached and the dogs were getting harnessed and hitched
the cacophony of the many dogs barking and howling grew.
Bill and Sandy paused for a moment, feeling ready.
While I couldn't get a photo of Sandy leaving the start, Ray Redington, Jr.
was next out of the chute and his team was ready to go.
The River for which the area is named provided quite the backdrop
on the first leg of the race.
Sandy and team running well on the Gakona River about 20 miles into the race.
After the most challenging leg, from Chistochina to Paxson, the teams
all took an 8 hour mandatory layover and cooked up some good hot food (for
the dogs).
In the 35 below temps at Sourdough camp, the dogs settled in with their
straw and jackets for another good rest.
The road to Wolverine Lodge provided another picturesque view of the
mountains surrounding the Copper River Basin.
Although there was little fanfare with her arrival, Sandy and all 12 dogs
arrived back in Galena and she officially completed her last qualifying
race for the 2005 Iditarod.
After a night of rest, we drove back north across the Alaska Range
on yet another beautiful day.
A herd of Caribou met us as we descended into the Alaskan interior
and approached Delta Junction.
It was a great way to close out the successful trip.