ITI 2025 Day 13: Galena (544.8) to Nulato (595.6)

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TL; DR: great night - good weather, dog sightings, happy pedaler

Ryan’s ride (all times in AKST):

*14.5hr stop @ Galena (544.8) - still trying to work the night shift, departed 3:22p

*Arrived in Nulato (595.6) @ 5:51a (14.5 hrs./3.5mph pedal), departed 11:44a (<6hr. stop)

*Next: 34 miles to Kaltag (630)

Positive vibes only!!  Reported multiple times that the weather was great, it was “so calm out, no wind,” and really enjoyable.  HE FINALLY SAW THE DOGS!! Lead team (musher sitting in the sled!) passed him just after 9p, and it’s been a yellow snow, poop-laden trail ever since ;-) His only complaint was the Lights weren’t out…if anyone were to ask me my only complaint, it would be that his jubilant messaging only came while I was trying to sleep (12am-4pm CST he becomes Chatty Kathy).  He took it real easy overnight, my armchair quarterbacking thinking because he knew he wanted quick turnaround for Kaltag.  Or, he was too jazzed from seeing Emily Ford doing great work as a rookie musher!

Video is my favorite of his dog sled content (I believe from 2023). Pictures are from the trail to Galena, dropboxes in Ruby, and dropbox in Sioux Falls pre-race.

What Say You Ryan?

Day 11 & 12: Favorite geographic part of the course (northern or southern route)...

1. Rainy Pass/Dalzelle Gorge (his second favorite, got an honorable mention!)

2. ***Abandoned town of Iditarod (an embodiment of everything he loves about the race…bummed to miss it this year!)

3. Yukon River miles (northern or southern route, they’re his least favorite)

4. Bering Sea Crossing (I think you love it more once you’re across it, but it’s so finicky, and such a deal breaker if conditions aren’t good, that you really just loathe it)

 

Day 13: Favorite thing to swipe in a drop box… *Context: Racers mail consumable items to themselves to villages across the course. If/When they drop, their boxes become fair game for racers still working towards Nome.

A. Baked goods/homemade treats (because these are things I know won’t be in MY boxes…plus, I can feel the love and support!) B. Preparation H Wipes (IYKYK…and if you don’t, you want to. A game-change trail luxury!) C. Advil/Tylenol (like childbirth, you forget how much this just hurts and forget to pack) D. Batteries (they’re lithium gold out on the trail and very expensive to purchase in the villages if you miscalculate your battery needs)

Comment with your guess and I’ll reveal the answer tomorrow!!