Break Out Your Snowshoes

(Because I have no new pictures from the 2022 ITI, I'm giving you a picture of George, presumably telling Ryan to dig deep when the going/snow drifts get tough!)

Well, if you've been following along very closely you'll have noticed Ryan's speed slowing in the last day.  The wind and snow picked up, making for lots of drifting and plodding (if I say it like it's a technical term, you'll believe me, right?).  Looks like all of the foot people ahead and behind him seem to be operating at the same 2-2.6mph pace. I'm happy to report the three foot people (Chris, Daniel, and Ryan) are still moving together.  I've received quite a few texts from them about mileage, my guess is wishing I could/would report they were moving faster than they know they are.  

Quick math problem solving question for Mr. Bertsch's 6th Grade class (and no, it is NOT about Shackleton):

You have a Garmin inReach satellite GPS, and have forgotten to switch from the Safety Plan, which allows 10 texts per month, to the unlimited texting of the Expedition Plan.  For every text over the 10 free, the Safety Plan charges $0.50/text.  How much will your credit card be charged when you sent an average of 11 text messages a day for four days in March before asking your wife to login into your account and switch to the Expedition Plan?
(Never mind, I don't want to know).

Last night's update was that they had seen about 5 dog sled teams and it was (still) "way cool."  Sounds like the race has been pretty tough and slow for the dogs too!  They found themselves in open tundra and so hunkered down in a snow pit to get out of the wind. Given how long they were there, I'd say they picked a snow pit winner! Besides a requested weather update, he asked about life beyond the Iditarod Trail..."Anyone going to finish Barkley this year?" (They didn't, although the first women since 2013 finished a fun run and Karel Sabbe is now my new favorite!), "School going okay?" (I've been on Spring Break for the time he's been off the grid, so yes, it's going great!!), "Ukraine still standing?" (Pretty sure that one can't be tackled by satellite texting technology).  He also said to wish Coach Bertsch and the Iola Thunderbirds good luck in the Sectionals playoff game tonight! (Tune in here at 7pm CST for the live stream)

(Ryan and Coach Bertsch...when Coach had hair and Ryan's face did not)

When I heard from him this morning, he added a Happy Birthday to his dad, Mark, and aunt, Jeanette (HAPPY BIRTHDAY you two!!)

Ryan with all the Week of March 7th Birthday Folk (Marie, Jeanette, and Mark)

Ryan's now surpassed FOUR HUNDRED MILES and is very much looking forward to the North Fork Innoko River shelter cabin at Mile 415.  From there, it will be a six mile stretch to Cripple (Checkpoint #11, Mile 421), where he has access to his fourth and final drop bag (as well as scouring the drop bags of 1000 Milers scratched from race....any guesses what he is most pumped about finding?  Besides more Reeces of course 😶).  When he leaves Cripple, it's another long stretch to Ruby (73 miles), but he should have decent cell service and accommodations upon arrival. Onward!