It’s snowing and it’s time to race!

On the eve of the Kenai Peninsula’s biggest racing event of the year, light snow continues to filter down, settling on top of the heavy sheet of ice that has encased the landscape for several weeks.  It is merely a mask to the treachery below in many places, but a welcome buffer in many ways as we roll into the 200 mile Tustumena race this weekend.

At the mushers banquet, which will was held earlier this evening, Paul and Kristi were the first to draw their respective starting positions.  Interestingly, they drew # 12 and #13 to start the race. The field boasts nothing less than a half dozen past champions, and some youthful new mushers who are more than a little physically able to take on the hilly terrain that the Tustumena race is known for. It promises to be a tight race, and will no doubt have us on the edge of our seats as the team make their out and back loops throughout the afternoon hours Saturday, ultimately finishing late Sunday afternoon.

The way things look right now, the new snow that has only recently transformed the landscape here will only slow the race a little bit, but since the accumulation came in such a light, powdery consistency, drifting and blowing snow at the higher elevations could certainly be a factor for all the mushers.  Temperatures are forecasted to be perfect for the dogs, ranging down to -10 overnight.

After all the challenges with the weather leading up to this point, everyone was excited to finally be able to run the race.  Now we are faced with yet another, very ominous factor that could significantly impact not just this race, but a number of things in our area. A volcano that is located across Cook Inlet just west of us is extremely active and expected to blow at any time in the near future. Mt. Redoubt last sent huge ash plumes and debris into the atmosphere in the winter of 1989/ 90.  It was a real mess, not to mention a big health hazard. When I left work today, the computer and electronics at the newspaper were shrouded in plastic to protect it in the event of ash fallout when we are away. Obviously, since Paul and Kristi are about to head a fair distance off the road system in this race, we are keeping a close eye on it. 

The race has developed a plan to address the number of mushers and their teams should a volcanic explosion and ash cloud be imminent. It would be an involved logistical process, but something that is very real given the level of alert issued by the Alaska Volcano Observatory at this time. It would be a truly incredible sight to behold for the mushers given the altitude and vantage point they would have during this race.  When the volcano last went, it cemented the whole “fire and brimstone” image in my mind. It was incredible – with lightening (VERY VERY rare for us in Alaska) and terrible gaseous clouds of ash.  When the ash cloud came, the mid-day sun was gone, and it turned as black as night.  We are keeping an eye on it, and have discussed several options for the care of our own team on the trail and at home.

This said – tonight the wind is just howling, and to our benefit, it is blowing in a favorable direction should the eruption occur while we sleep. The dogs are curled up and sleeping peacefully and Paul and Kristi are both a bag of nerves. So that means that tomorrow should be pretty exciting for all of us.

I will keep you posted – but you can follow updates at the Tustumena 200 race website:

http://www.tustumena200.com/

Until later - Life is a journey, enjoy the ride! Evy