Mushers take conservative approach with snowy conditions

March 10, 2010

Iditarod musher Dave DeCaro says he's taking it easy for now. (Kevin Wells/KTUU-DT)

by Kevin Wells
Tuesday, March 9, 2010

MCGRATH, Alaska -- Last year's Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race ended up taking a slow pace because of deep snow, and while this race began on a firm pack, snow accumulation was a major factor the first 200 miles.

Mushers are adapting to the changing trail conditions during the early days of Iditarod 38. On Monday morning teams were greeted by several inches of fresh snow at Finger Lake, and mushers were forced into a low-risk approach.

"Keep the dogs fresh. We've got so far to go, there's no sense in burning out a team right now. I think a lot of people are thinking that. I don't think you'd normally see this many teams here at Finger Lake," racer Zack Steer said.

By Tuesday afternoon things were considerably different. Seventy-eight miles up the trail, Rohn offered a picture worthy of a postcard. While leaders were long gone and off to Nikolai, the checkpoint played host to mushers like Dave DeCaro of Denali.

"My goal is to get to Nikolai and Takotna with all 16, myself and my sled, and everything together, and then worry about picking up the speed. But they have tons of speed; we made it here in just over four hours," DeCaro said.

Most of the field has now passed the treachery of the Dalzell Gorge and, for the moment, the wet snow, but given the conditions, each dog receives a thorough examination courtesy of Iditarod vets before receiving the OK to continue.

"We check anything that they've got a concern about, even more, but no, we've done better than I thought for this part of it, considering the amount of snow they had," said race vet Allen Taylor.

It certainly won't be the last they see of that on their way to Nome.

McGrath is one of four checkpoints on the way to Nome that offers an award for the first musher to arrive.

Contact Kevin Wells at kwells@ktuu.com and follow @KTUUSports on Twitter.

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