Well, looks like we may have spoke too soon...

(All of these pictures are from earlier in the race, but I feel embody a bit of what it's like out there...)

Yesterday and today have been rough.  Painful for the dot watchers to see those speeds and I can't even imagine what it's been like for Ryan.  Save a mile descending into Topkock this afternoon, I don't think he's been able to ride the bike at all :-(

In leaving White Mountain, the plan was to get to Topkock cabin, chill for the evening (I'm picturing a warm cabin stove, a couple nips of rum, and a lot of reflecting on this epic journey...probably in his skivvies and t-shirt because it's so warm and cozy), and have a fabulous 44 mile jaunt into Nome.  Cut to 1.5 mph speeds and reported whiteout conditions when he arrived at "New Cabin" last night (there's a new cabin on the trail 9ish miles from Topcock that I don't know anything about...other than it was good enough to spend the night in).  He was a man of few words this morning, asking about how the weather and how the walkers were faring.  He left New Cabin (914) slightly before 6am AKST.  

The slog continued most of the morning, afternoon, and into tonight.  Finishing in the daylight today is unlikely...but not for a lack of effort.  When he arrived at Topkock (923) this morning he reported snow, a quarter/headwind, and drifting snow...we're all just hoping that once he hits "the road" (about 9 miles from Safety) the trail's seen a little more traffic.  There's one last safety cabin around mile 936 and I guess we'll just have to see what he's got planned!  Horse is in the barn...