Lance Mackey Finishes Iditarod | 15 Dogs Lead to Win

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Lance Mackey is nearing the end of this year's Iditarod, having successfully navigated through the last checkpoint with 15 of his original 16 dogs. He is set for a final 20-mile sprint to Nome, having left White Mountain with a six-hour lead. The discussion highlights the harsh conditions of the race, with participants enduring extreme cold and isolation, which some find daunting. There is a mention of sled-dog races in Maine, emphasizing the challenges posed by deep snow. The use of GPS technology in this year's race allows enthusiasts to track mushers in real time, providing comfort to their families, although some mushers express concerns about the implications of not being truly alone in the wilderness. The conversation also touches on the emotional aspects of the race, including moments of introspection and the bond between mushers and their dogs.
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Lance Mackey is looking to close out this years Iditerod today with 15 of his initial 16 dogs.

He is through the last check point - a brisk 20 mile sprint to Main Street Nome to go apparently. And he was 6 hours ahead getting awat at White Mountain rest stop.

http://www.adn.com/photos/iditarod/story/703830.html

The pictures there are awesome, if not cold and remote, and hellish after so many days of slogging through it. I can half understand doing it for the scenery. But not completely.
 
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Not for me, thanks. I can barely tolerate the Maine winters of the past few years. I don't mind the cold so much, but too much snow kinda wears on you after a while.
 
I can think of no lonelier sport in the world.
 
We have sled-dog races here in Maine, BUT they have to race on groomed snowmobile trails. There is just way too much snow, and it would kill the dogs to try to race in it.
 
Just read this account, if you want to think about lonely.

Like Call of the Wild, just no wolf packs jumping at you through the camp fire.

http://www.adn.com/iditarod/2009/story/726933.html
 
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Awww that was so sad, I'm glad they were able to save him and the rest of his fur friends. It must of broken his heart.
 
hypatia said:
Awww that was so sad, I'm glad they were able to save him and the rest of his fur friends. It must of broken his heart.

I'm sure that it put him in touch with his mortality. An opportunity for great introspection no doubt.
 
This year I was reading that all the mushers had a GPS in their sleds. In fact enthusiasts could - for a fee of course - follow the race as markers on a map with the real time position of each contestant. It was a comfort at least for spouses knowing where there mates were no doubt.

Some of them were grumbling about not being really out there alone if GPS knew where they were. But I can imagine that it might be a comfort if things really went whack out there.

One of the entrants had a long layover earlier in the race and gave the GPS to a friend that was a pilot and he took it on a flight as a joke. Amazing what passes for entertainment there.
 

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