Ultimate Iditarod Behind-the-Scenes Race Coverage

Atta Boy 300 Race Update--Day 2

Ceremonial Start & Opening Events--Mt. Hood and Bend, Oregon

January 6, 2001

Snowcrest Racing Sled Dogs--Seeley Lake, MT

The rain made everyone soggy as we did the ceremonial run today at Government Camp on Mt. Hood.  From Government Camp, we moved 100 miles southeast to the Bend area for the rest of race stages.

One thing that we normally don't expect to encounter much of when mushing is rain.  However, the Pacific Northwest is known for its lush forests, and the agent that makes these forests so lush is rain.  And even in January at 4,000 feet in elevation, rain can fall, and today it did!  We fed dogs last night in a downpour, and when we woke up, the rain was still falling.  

Recap of Today's Events:

Throughout the morning, while we prepared for the ceremonial 1-mile run, the rain steadily fell.  By the time the start of the run arrived, we were all completely soaked.  Well, I should say, all of us but one.  1984 Iditarod Champion Dean Osmar is a commercial fisherman, and he was smart enough to bring his full suit of raingear that he uses on the fishing boats.  I think he was probably still warm and dry!

We only used six dogs in the ceremonial run because of the short distance, but we did carry a passenger for the distance.  I had a man named Tom Foley in my sled.  Tom is from Oregon and was a former race organizer for a dog sled race held in the Sisters, Oregon, area several years ago.  We had a great time talking as we made our way along the short trail.  About a quarter mile from the end, we passed a volunteer along the trail who was holding a folded up umbrella.  He handed the umbrella to me as we went by, and told me it was dropped by the passenger in the sled ahead of me.  As we approached the finish line, I opened up the umbrella and held it over Tom and I.  That got a good response from everyone as we came in--Mary Poppins on Mt. Hood in a rain storm in January!

Following the run, we fed the dogs a snack, packed up our gear, and then headed down the mountain to pick up the dog food meat we placed in cold storage.  From there, it was off to Bend, 100 miles to the southeast.

In downtown Bend, opening ceremonies for the race took place.  As part of the ceremonies, we drew our starting positions for tomorrow's stage.  And as luck would have it, I drew starting position number 1!

Going out first in a dogsled race is one of those mixed blessings.  Yes, you do get out on the trail early, but you also get to be the first to set the pace, find the trail, and make any mistakes that could be made.  But just the same, I'm excited.  We're going to have a good race.

Tonight, we are staying at the home of George and Connie Hood just outside Bend.  We are making last-minute preparations, including assembling new towline sections for the race tomorrow.  And soon, we're going to let the dogs out one last time before we hit the sack.  

Tomorrow, we are up at six to get the dogs out of the truck, give them their breakfast, and head toward the starting line at Mt. Bachelor.

Reporting for Ultimate Iditarod in Bend, Oregon,

Jim Gallea

© 2002 Ultimate Iditarod, Snowcrest Racing Sled Dogs, Seavey's Iditarod Racing Team
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