We got home to Indianola tonight and have a week to unload and repack for Alaska. I feel this is the calm before the storm so will take the evening to reflect on our Elk River training. Von and Margaret came out last Saturday. Given the wolf issues we opted out of camping on the trail and decided to pitch the Arctic Oven on the other side of the berm from the truck and pretend the truck and camper were Yetna Station, one of the overnights from our 2007 Shakedown. Von and I spent Sat and Sun night in the tent and Margaret stayed at Yetna (in the camper). We did a 26 mile run on Sat which got us back before moose hour and in enough light to set up the tent and arrange camp.

(Camp Von – Vaughan) Nested between Hemlock and Shattuck Buttes, Elk River resides at 2,827 feet. Sunday we set out and ran the 34 mile trail up Hemlock Butte, the same route I did on Tuesday. The weather was gorgeous and somewhat warm in the sunshine. Over 12 miles we climbed reaching 4,830 feet, then plummeted through a series of three sharp switchbacks to 4,180 feet in less then a mile. On Tuesday the trail was icy and very slick. Snowmachine traffic since had softened it a bit, but I was concerned about Margaret, she doesn’t like switchbacks. Prior to reaching the descent, we decide Von should go down first and at the bottom along a level area, hook down and standby to catch a loose team. Margaret would be second and I would follow to pick up any dislodged musher.

(Don and Team climbing Switchback)Between the second and third switchback, I came upon Von hooked down and working on lines. I told him I couldn’t stop and went on by. I didn’t have time to tell him I did a perfect 360 degree barrel roll on the first turn. When we reassembled at the bottom, I found out Von had dumped on the first turn too and lost his team. Fortunately his hook popped out and set so he was able to catch them without trouble or injury to any dogs. Margaret now owns the new title of “Switchback Master” having made it down unscathed. During a quick snack and tea break, Von’s dogs anxious to get going again bit through the leaders gangline section setting them free. They were kind enough to do a U- Turn and go back to Von for more snacks.

(Switchback Master)

(…And Dogs)

(More Hills)Upon reconnecting, we noted more evidence of Mr.Wolf’s large feet and were glad it was only pawprints we saw. The views from the ridgetop trails were stunning and gave us the opportunity to look back over the trail and appreciate the hard work the of the dogs. We returned to camp via headlamp absent any encounters with psychotic moose or errant snowmachines. After feeding dogs Margaret and I gazed in envy at Von shoveling down a steaming bowl of “seal-a-meal” prepared by his wife, Judy. He had slipped it into his cooker while heating water for the dogs. Judy was determined to put a few extra pounds on Von during the Serum Run and sent a variety of dishes for him to taste test over our Shakedown weekend. Seeing this we headed into “Yetna Station” and employed the microwave to heat some Jambalaya Margaret had made and vacuum packed as one of the meals we will be dining on in the Serum Run. It was wonderful and just what we needed to settle in for night after a hardy day on the trail.

( Judy’s Trail Cuisine)Monday in order for Von to make the 8+ hour trip home we did a short 20 mile run. 10 miles out and back the Basin Rd with less then a 1000 foot elevation gain. It is a trail that parallels a beautiful array of ice sculptures formed on vegetation by the churning waters of Elk Creek. Unfortunately, by the time Von headed home, valley fog had set in lengthening his trip to 11 hours, including two nap stops and a 3 am arrival.We had a great time, saw some beautiful scenery, and felt encouraged that our late snow season did not have a negative impact on the dogs enthusiasm or ability to run hard trails. Let’s go to Nome!!