Coordinates: 65.01.00 N, 67.06.63 W
Distance Traveled: 12mi / 20km
Temperature: 9 °F/ -12.7 °C
Wind: 5-15 MPH/ 8-24 KPH
Cloud Cover: Clear to partly cloudy

The ice was wet and slippery with overflow. After a series of steep and snowy downhills, we dropped out of the upper valley into the river drainage. The scenery was spectacular - high cliff walls, massive boulder fields and deep, wide valleys. The snow made everything more dramatic. All eyes were on the river, however, as managing the sled speed and dog teams demanded focus and skill.

We had made it down several drops of the river, keeping the teams on track and ahead of the sled. It all seemed to be going well until we came around a bend and found Simon knee deep in icy slush. His heavy sled was partially sunk and his dogs, try though they might, could not pull it out. The more he pushed and pulled from the back, the more stressed and tangled they became. It took everyone heaving and pulling, feet deep in water, to get him moving again.

 

None of the dogs teams that came after wanted to follow the river. And who can blame them? The river ice was slick with overflow making it almost impossible for any us to stay upright. As a result, the dogs kept running the sleds up the banks and into the boulders on the shoreline where travel was impossible. It took an hour and a half to run all four teams through the narrow spot. We tied leashes to the lead dogs (trying our best to stay out in front of them), wrapped chains around the sled runners to slow them down and dragged our feet in an effort to create some friction. We arrived at camp at dusk, the trail barely visible in front of us. Tents went up quickly, mukluks were hung up to dry and dinner (instant mashed potatoes with cheese and butter) never tasted better!

Abby Fenton - signing out.