2am Neiden 1

Moments ago Roger Dahl arrived at the Neiden 1 checkpoint with his full string of 14 Alaskan huskies. At 60 years old, Roger is not the oldest musher in the race, but he has been around the block.  Having mushed since the early 1980's Roger is also a veteran of the 1995 Iditarod, when he leased an entire team from me for a top 20 finish.  Now years later, this man the locals call "Mr. Finnmarkslopet" is carefully executing a near perfect race in an effort to claim his third victory 23 years of racing. Imagine however his panic as his powerful team came off the steep mountains approaching the checkpoint in Tana, when a miss-step and wild trail found him overturned dragging behind the team. Sudden impact with a tree and 10 of his 14 dog string broke loose to continue on without him. Smiling dog mushing Gods and the help of a random snow machine helped reunite the team for what Roger estimated was just a 15 minute delay.  The icy overhand knot in the cable filled towline now tells the story best.

 I am overwhelmed with the pleasant cultural norms for this area; such as candles everywhere.  Every table in the cafe has a candle. The entry ways, musher sign in areas, and even the water holes are marked with Ice candles. A very nice touch.  Reindeer slippers with curly toes and wool garments are everywhere.  Cheese, bread and fish, cod and salmon, on most every table. Dog trucks, in general, are fancier, more creative and more practical.  I don't think I have seen a speck of trash anywhere, and even the men's rooms are clean and pleasant.  When the ski lift stopped for an hour unexpectedly the other night in Alta, I did not hear a complaint, but in fact many of the skiers removed their skies and appeared happy as they WALKED up the ski slope for the next run.

As I surf between the Iditarod and Finmarksløpet web sites, I am reminded of the huge changes that most certainly will occur in the stats during the second half of this race, but right now Roger is in leading the pack.  "Pack of Wolves" I may add.  Last year’s champion Ralph Johannessen,   Norwiegian mushing legend Robert Sørlie, 2011 Femund Champ Sigrid, Ekran, Gorm Engen, and another Iditarod race veteran, Ketil Reitan are easily within reach of this developing race.

More soon..

Jeff King

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