This Quest is probably the toughest race we’ve done in twenty years. There were difficulties with supplies, clothing shipments arrived too late to use, and there were a dozen other logistical challenges. But with the help of our crew, we managed to get through it all … not to mention the three-week cold snap with temperatures dipping below -45 Celsius on a regular basis (leading to a frozen septic system, amongst other things).
On the personal side, Frank struggled with a very painful shoulder, but some Chinese medicine patches seemed to help that a bit. Then, the vehicle gremlins went to work on the truck engine (it’s still in the garage). Norcan saved the day, but we had to send my car up to Fairbanks, because the loaner truck had only two seats. And you guessed it, my car has had problems up in Alaska – we are really hoping it makes it home.
On the trail, it has been equally tough, with very cold temperatures and very strong winds. Tonight, in Mile 101, the winds were again picking up on Eagle Summit, and Frank has just made the really tough decision to pull out. He struggled for hours with this decision, but in the end felt he did not want to put the puppies through it any longer. They do not have the experience or mental toughness that comes from experience; and Frank’s injured shoulder makes it extremely difficult to compensate for that.
We need to get him home and get his shoulder fixed (he cannot lift his arm higher than mid-chest). And he has a couple of other injuries to tend to as well. That is one of the hardest things about getting a bit older – you just cannot ignore the injuries the way you can when you are younger.
We are all feeling stunned and disappointed, but know that Frank always makes his decisions based on what is best for the dogs – and with so many young dogs in the team, the decisions are more difficult.
2 comments:
I have been seeing the very cold weather that you have been having. We just went thru a snap like that here - I had to warm our old van up as I could not move the thing that changes to drive, reverse, etc. (very blonde of me eh - not to know the name of that) - Anyway, we also have been having pipes bursting throughout Toronto and GTA and there has sure been alot of snow. You know where we park the van, well that whole side is now around 3-4 feet high in snow - I have to park by the sidewalk to empty the van of groceries. It sure is a winter like when I was a kid. Tomorrow is our anniversary - I made a large pink chenille cushion bed to sell at my friends pet store - turned out great. In March I will be making some small rain coats. MJT
Hey Carol. Just returned from Hawai'i. While there, we met an alaskan who had worked for the Quest in the 70's. You can imagine the type. Quite a character.
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