Trent and the team pulled in to Shaktoolik just before midnight AKT on 15th after a 5 hour 45 minute, 40 mile run form Unalakleet. Trent is still in 61st place out of 73 mushers in the race. Anxious to see if all 13 dogs leave the checkpoint tomorrow.
Expect Trent to get some rest and get a morning start for a daylight crossing of the open water across the Norton Sound.
Again, the run from Shaktoolik to Koyuk is one of, if not the most iconic leg in the Iditarod. Made famous by Leonhard Seppala in the great Serum Run of 1925 to deliver diptheria serum to quell an epidemic in Nome. It is part of the heritage of the Iditarod and the run, and choice to move quicker over open sea is considered the greatest feat in the history of dog sledding.
The spit town of Shaktoolik is the first picture below, seen from above. The town is in a battle with global warming. The map from GPS tracker shows overland path to Koyuk from Shak. Let's hope for good weather and an easy crossing for the team tomorrow.
