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From: JM
Date: 8/18/00
Time: 2:25:18 PM
Remote Name: 209.112.145.227
It's not the getting up, it's the getting down Happy River that's hairy. Every year is different (snow conditions) so can only describe in general: The Iron Dog sno-mo race precedes the Iditarod on the hill..what they leave is generally what you get. Then 70 or 80 dog teams go down standing on the brake. If someone overshoots a corner and tears up the "outside" of the turn, everyone following is in the same rut and inclined to go over the edge and pretty soon the hill looks like a war zone. If you're carrying extra weight (as in food and camping gear) your sled will be heavier and more top heavy. Even if you rough lock runners and drop the tug lines it can be a "thrilling" descent. On the one hand it might not be bad, worst case it could be dangerous ESPECIALLY traveling alone. There will likely be some incidental traffic returning from Rhone and Pontilla immediately after the race, a plus. If your dogs were such that you could turn half of them loose, descend, and collect them at the bottom, that would be best form. Dalzel (sp?) Gorge some years is easy but some years is ice, rock, open water, and down hill corners for 7 miles..that would be another consideration. As I said, some years either one is a piece of cake, but sometimes one or the other or both are nightmare stuff. That information generally trickles back through the media as the race transits those areas. And, you would always have the option of turning around at Rainey Pass or Finger Lake. It's a nice trip but has some serious considerations and it would be a mistake to think of it as a lark. A zillion people have done this without dying..you just don't want to be first. I don't mean to frighten you; but I would be remiss to not say that I think it would be well if you delayed a final decision until maybe Jan. when you know more about the capability of your dogs and yourself. I don't want to stifle your enthusiasm but don't get beyond your own ability..this is still an unforgiving place..Joe