Not Quite to Nikolai...

 ...but I don't want to grade quizzes, so I thought I'd do a quick update instead :-)

Ryan messaged me from the inReach early this morning letting me know he was going to stop and take a two hour nap.  He mentioned the trail pretty much sucked all day...not sure if that was due to the warmer temps or because of what one racer loving/begrudgingly referred to as a "pump track" trail (early on Ryan mentioned that the trail was filled with rollers from the Iron Dog snowmobile race that pulled and pushed his sled against and into his body).  Ryan ended up with a three hour nap, so couple the ability to sleep longer in his bivy with the whining about trail conditions, me thinks the decision to nap was a good one ;-)  He's since marched along towards Nikolai (at the time of this writing, he's got 26.5 miles to go), bypassing Bear Creek cabin entirely.

His message also said that he saw a lynx the night before (somewhere along the Rainy Pass section).  I did a bit of research and it turns out that the lynx is the only cat native to Alaska.  They are more common that you'd think give how illusive they are; however, they are known for their curiosity and what could be more curious that a bunch of people sauntering around the Alaskan wilderness with sleds and headlamps?!?

Ryan messaged again this morning asking how best bud Sam's playoff high school basketball game last night (he's the head coach of the undefeated Iola Thunderbirds)....they won by the way, 49-34 :-)

George and I attempted some Alaskan winter solidarity this morning, getting to romp in our own blowing snow madness.  More from me soon...probably tomorrow morning after he arrives in Nikolai (Mile 260ish).