Happy birthday dear brother Jack
and
Happy birthday dear daughter-in-law Katrina
Two in one day, must be a special day :)
Marsha
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Tom's trip SITREP#18 (FINAL) (twenty-one)
To All: I'm still in Whitehorse.
Today was day of rest. Not much else to take up time. I walked through the downtown area and had a ubibquitous "Starbucks" coffee. I couldn't find a local newspaper. I'm sure they must have one. The tourist stores are all closed. I guess everyone has figured out that there are no tourists here at all. Whitehorse is by far the largest city - about 26,000 compared to the other "villes" that are just several thousand such as Dawson, or less.
Speaking of newspapers, Until yesterday, I did not see a newspaper or TV news program. When I viewed last night's and this morning's news shows, it was like I was in a time warp. The same old arguments and bullshit from the commentators - nothing's changed. I will not watch such crap with the same ferver again.
I'll go to the airport at 1:00pm to catch a 3:00pm flight. The hotel clerk says it will work fine, but I think I'm cutting it close.
I still can't get the spirit of this snowmobile race out of my blood. It was such an adventure - and a tough one for all participants. I really need to think about this and how the thrill can be duplicated.
Just for the record, the dog race - the Iditorad race from Fairbanks to Anchorage (or is it the opposite direction) began today.
Well - that's it unless I get stuck here. By this time tomorrow, I'll be on a flight from Vancouver to San Fran. or better yet to Atlanta.
It'll be great to get back and be with my family of wife, dogs and cat.
Tom
Today was day of rest. Not much else to take up time. I walked through the downtown area and had a ubibquitous "Starbucks" coffee. I couldn't find a local newspaper. I'm sure they must have one. The tourist stores are all closed. I guess everyone has figured out that there are no tourists here at all. Whitehorse is by far the largest city - about 26,000 compared to the other "villes" that are just several thousand such as Dawson, or less.
Speaking of newspapers, Until yesterday, I did not see a newspaper or TV news program. When I viewed last night's and this morning's news shows, it was like I was in a time warp. The same old arguments and bullshit from the commentators - nothing's changed. I will not watch such crap with the same ferver again.
I'll go to the airport at 1:00pm to catch a 3:00pm flight. The hotel clerk says it will work fine, but I think I'm cutting it close.
I still can't get the spirit of this snowmobile race out of my blood. It was such an adventure - and a tough one for all participants. I really need to think about this and how the thrill can be duplicated.
Just for the record, the dog race - the Iditorad race from Fairbanks to Anchorage (or is it the opposite direction) began today.
Well - that's it unless I get stuck here. By this time tomorrow, I'll be on a flight from Vancouver to San Fran. or better yet to Atlanta.
It'll be great to get back and be with my family of wife, dogs and cat.
Tom
Tom's trip SITREP#17 (twenty)
Sent: Sun 3/07/10 5:54 AM
To All:
I am still in the Yukon trying to kill some more time.
Today, I rented a car and planned to drive to Skagway. I got to the halfway point and fueled up. The attendent brought my attention to blinking lights on parallel poles that were on each side of the highway and that these lights signaled that the road was closed to all traffic. This gas station highway was the only fueling point on the way to Skagway and my rental car was just above half full. It was snowing quite strongly, though not yet a blizzare. I got the feeling from the attendant, who lives in the area that a good storm was coming and I was not prepared to test circumstances.
I didn't have chains for the car, nor did I have a cell phone that worked. All I had was my SPOT tracker. Also, I didn't want to be caught in a snowstorm so I turned around and "hightailed" it back to Whitehorse.
Actually, the afternoon turned out to be a great treat. I went to the Whitehorse museum and it was just like the one in Anchorage. It had all the lore of the Klondike and how the region became settled; how the gold rush started. One section had a representative stuffed animal of all the major species that exist. They even had a stuffed grizzly like the one that Phil got and now I display at home. The museum had all kinds of factoids and items to investigate. It was the kind of place where you could spend several days assimilating the history of the "Klondike" story.
One example from the tour is how this city got it's name.
There is a rough river nearby with rapids located in the vicinity of this town. It was named the White River. However, the rapids were so rough that they "looked like a horses mane" - hence the name of Whitehorse.
I went down the main street and noted the picture scenery. All the little souvenir shops and tourist traps were located on a single street. It so resembled Anchorage with carvings and tourist oddities and shops.
The weather today was slightly above freezing and was just enough at noon for the snow to melt. All the cars are covered with brown sludge from the accumulated dirt of the entire winter. Any time one goes outdoors, you have to clean your shoes with a wet rag/cloth. There was no sun today; it is trying to snow, so it seems rather gloomy.
I'm not sure what I can do to kill time tomorrow.
I've been thinking about how to spend time like I did on this snowmobile race. The hallmarks would be somewhat of the following:
- It should last at least one week or better still - two weeks
- It should have some measure of endurance and disciplined routine after being started
- It should be something new - a new adventure - rather than an extension of the past
When I get home on tuesday morning (On Monday, I fly all night on a journey from hell; from Whitehorse to Vancouver to San Fran to Atlanta to Nashville by about 7:30am), I'll be happy to see Barb and the animals. Still, at some emotional level, I'll miss the spirit of this snowmobile race. Damn, it was fun.
We'll have much to talk about in the coming weeks.
Tom
To All:
I am still in the Yukon trying to kill some more time.
Today, I rented a car and planned to drive to Skagway. I got to the halfway point and fueled up. The attendent brought my attention to blinking lights on parallel poles that were on each side of the highway and that these lights signaled that the road was closed to all traffic. This gas station highway was the only fueling point on the way to Skagway and my rental car was just above half full. It was snowing quite strongly, though not yet a blizzare. I got the feeling from the attendant, who lives in the area that a good storm was coming and I was not prepared to test circumstances.
I didn't have chains for the car, nor did I have a cell phone that worked. All I had was my SPOT tracker. Also, I didn't want to be caught in a snowstorm so I turned around and "hightailed" it back to Whitehorse.
Actually, the afternoon turned out to be a great treat. I went to the Whitehorse museum and it was just like the one in Anchorage. It had all the lore of the Klondike and how the region became settled; how the gold rush started. One section had a representative stuffed animal of all the major species that exist. They even had a stuffed grizzly like the one that Phil got and now I display at home. The museum had all kinds of factoids and items to investigate. It was the kind of place where you could spend several days assimilating the history of the "Klondike" story.
One example from the tour is how this city got it's name.
There is a rough river nearby with rapids located in the vicinity of this town. It was named the White River. However, the rapids were so rough that they "looked like a horses mane" - hence the name of Whitehorse.
I went down the main street and noted the picture scenery. All the little souvenir shops and tourist traps were located on a single street. It so resembled Anchorage with carvings and tourist oddities and shops.
The weather today was slightly above freezing and was just enough at noon for the snow to melt. All the cars are covered with brown sludge from the accumulated dirt of the entire winter. Any time one goes outdoors, you have to clean your shoes with a wet rag/cloth. There was no sun today; it is trying to snow, so it seems rather gloomy.
I'm not sure what I can do to kill time tomorrow.
I've been thinking about how to spend time like I did on this snowmobile race. The hallmarks would be somewhat of the following:
- It should last at least one week or better still - two weeks
- It should have some measure of endurance and disciplined routine after being started
- It should be something new - a new adventure - rather than an extension of the past
When I get home on tuesday morning (On Monday, I fly all night on a journey from hell; from Whitehorse to Vancouver to San Fran to Atlanta to Nashville by about 7:30am), I'll be happy to see Barb and the animals. Still, at some emotional level, I'll miss the spirit of this snowmobile race. Damn, it was fun.
We'll have much to talk about in the coming weeks.
Tom
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Tom's trip SITREP#16 (nineteen)
Sent: Sat 3/06/10 4:14 AM
To All:
Tonight, I'm in Whitehorse, Yukon terr. holed up at a hotel for the next two days. There are no flights out of this town on the weekend - so I have to wait until next Monday. It's cold here at about zero or a bit above that mark. I packed all my winter clothes to be shipped by auto back to Tenn in order to reduce my carry on baggage, I dressed in Nashville weather friendly clothing. Now, I'm freezing and had to buy a sweater to stay a bit warmer.
Yesterday, while traveling to Watson Lake, we stopped at a hot springs. Most everyone jumped in the steamy stuff. I didn't because as a miner years ago - in Idaho, Phil and I did a lifetime's worth of getting parboiled in these things. Our web site shows pictures of the antics.
This morning, we put the sledders in the surrounding forests on a logging trail that had a minimal snow cover. The sleds were to go about 150 miles this afternoon and spend the night in a primative lodge. We truckers would hole up in a town about midway between Dawson and Whitehorse.
This evening, it was quite an emotional event as I said goodby to my fellow truckers. They turned out to become my very best friends here in the wilderness. We had fun bullshiting and drinking endless coffee while awaiting sled rescues. I also said goodby to my team of riders this afternoon. Although, I am glad to get this behind me, I did feel sad to let go of this three week adventure. With the exception of my "Knights of Columbus" buddy, I'll never see these guys again. The truckers did promise to visit me when in a "passthrough" of our Tennessee region.
We exchanged email addresses and promised to communicate with each other.
The sledders are on their last legs. Tempers are short and except for riding sleds and having a beer or two, life is a standard routine day to day - getting up early at 5:30am, fixing sleds, talking about sleds and getting on the snow, repairing sleds in the evening and then going to bed early - usually it's "lights out" by 8:30pm, then repeating the same behavior the next day. We truckers get up even earlier to open the trailers and prepare the rigs for all the baggage, start engines etc. We are also the last to quit for the day because we lock up everything and later, hook the truck up to engine heaters. Usually, we have to move the rigs to better locations because we park temporary in fire lanes to facilitate unloading of baggage. I have gotten a lot of practice backing up with these monsters. I have complete confidence with the maneuvers now.
Tomorrow, they will spend a day at Dawson and then take a short ride with all the groups (those that started before and after us) going to Tok for a ceremony. Then they regroup and drive home. Three of us drivers will leave a bit early and by air. Driving back will take at least 5-7 days.
It's quite amazing to see how the group has a collective great store of repair knowledge and the tools to fix after sledding. Most are in just "T" shirts in zero weather fixing belts, bogies, tungsten sliders, plastic sliders, laying the sleds on their sides for better access to the drive belt etc. - and they take the time to help each other in "wrench turning".
The anger usually comes from failing to maintain good order in the "lineup" of snowmobiles, i.e., the continual accordian behavior that makes following almost impossible. Accidental bumps or getting a sled stuck in soft snow and having to wait until the rider get's out slows the entire process. So, as the riders put their sleds back into the trailers for the night, they recount the infractions of the day and some loose their "cool" by yelling or cussing at each other.
There is more snow here as we move into the Yukon, so sledding has picked up after the disasterous warm weather in British Columbia. The mountains in Whitehorse are mostly covered with snow, but are not sharp peaks as in the U.S. Rockies. These Canadian mountains are smooth round types with a gentle roll. The forest trees are skinny - like the growth we saw in Alaska. There is no farming here in the Yukon. At least we didn't see any evidence of farms. The basic industry is logging and tourism. We continue to see beautiful lodges out in implausable wilderness - made of gloriously finished logs as attractions for wealthy types. They offer bush pilot rides to isolated camps for fishing or hunting - like in the movie (the "Edge") about a grizzly chasing three men.
If you go to our website at Michcanska.com and go to Group 2, Team 3 you can see a picture of me with my trailer. I wrote the comment for the day. It was well received.
In the next several days, I'm going to reflect on what this trip meant to me as I get on with my life. I really would like to write a book about the great race and raise the feelings about this kind of quest. As Jack would say, there's a story in this caper.
Take care for now.......Tom
To All:
Tonight, I'm in Whitehorse, Yukon terr. holed up at a hotel for the next two days. There are no flights out of this town on the weekend - so I have to wait until next Monday. It's cold here at about zero or a bit above that mark. I packed all my winter clothes to be shipped by auto back to Tenn in order to reduce my carry on baggage, I dressed in Nashville weather friendly clothing. Now, I'm freezing and had to buy a sweater to stay a bit warmer.
Yesterday, while traveling to Watson Lake, we stopped at a hot springs. Most everyone jumped in the steamy stuff. I didn't because as a miner years ago - in Idaho, Phil and I did a lifetime's worth of getting parboiled in these things. Our web site shows pictures of the antics.
This morning, we put the sledders in the surrounding forests on a logging trail that had a minimal snow cover. The sleds were to go about 150 miles this afternoon and spend the night in a primative lodge. We truckers would hole up in a town about midway between Dawson and Whitehorse.
This evening, it was quite an emotional event as I said goodby to my fellow truckers. They turned out to become my very best friends here in the wilderness. We had fun bullshiting and drinking endless coffee while awaiting sled rescues. I also said goodby to my team of riders this afternoon. Although, I am glad to get this behind me, I did feel sad to let go of this three week adventure. With the exception of my "Knights of Columbus" buddy, I'll never see these guys again. The truckers did promise to visit me when in a "passthrough" of our Tennessee region.
We exchanged email addresses and promised to communicate with each other.
The sledders are on their last legs. Tempers are short and except for riding sleds and having a beer or two, life is a standard routine day to day - getting up early at 5:30am, fixing sleds, talking about sleds and getting on the snow, repairing sleds in the evening and then going to bed early - usually it's "lights out" by 8:30pm, then repeating the same behavior the next day. We truckers get up even earlier to open the trailers and prepare the rigs for all the baggage, start engines etc. We are also the last to quit for the day because we lock up everything and later, hook the truck up to engine heaters. Usually, we have to move the rigs to better locations because we park temporary in fire lanes to facilitate unloading of baggage. I have gotten a lot of practice backing up with these monsters. I have complete confidence with the maneuvers now.
Tomorrow, they will spend a day at Dawson and then take a short ride with all the groups (those that started before and after us) going to Tok for a ceremony. Then they regroup and drive home. Three of us drivers will leave a bit early and by air. Driving back will take at least 5-7 days.
It's quite amazing to see how the group has a collective great store of repair knowledge and the tools to fix after sledding. Most are in just "T" shirts in zero weather fixing belts, bogies, tungsten sliders, plastic sliders, laying the sleds on their sides for better access to the drive belt etc. - and they take the time to help each other in "wrench turning".
The anger usually comes from failing to maintain good order in the "lineup" of snowmobiles, i.e., the continual accordian behavior that makes following almost impossible. Accidental bumps or getting a sled stuck in soft snow and having to wait until the rider get's out slows the entire process. So, as the riders put their sleds back into the trailers for the night, they recount the infractions of the day and some loose their "cool" by yelling or cussing at each other.
There is more snow here as we move into the Yukon, so sledding has picked up after the disasterous warm weather in British Columbia. The mountains in Whitehorse are mostly covered with snow, but are not sharp peaks as in the U.S. Rockies. These Canadian mountains are smooth round types with a gentle roll. The forest trees are skinny - like the growth we saw in Alaska. There is no farming here in the Yukon. At least we didn't see any evidence of farms. The basic industry is logging and tourism. We continue to see beautiful lodges out in implausable wilderness - made of gloriously finished logs as attractions for wealthy types. They offer bush pilot rides to isolated camps for fishing or hunting - like in the movie (the "Edge") about a grizzly chasing three men.
If you go to our website at Michcanska.com and go to Group 2, Team 3 you can see a picture of me with my trailer. I wrote the comment for the day. It was well received.
In the next several days, I'm going to reflect on what this trip meant to me as I get on with my life. I really would like to write a book about the great race and raise the feelings about this kind of quest. As Jack would say, there's a story in this caper.
Take care for now.......Tom
Friday, March 5, 2010
Tom's trip from Sault St. Marie to Toke, Ak SITREP#15 (eighteen)
www.michcanska.com
TO ALL:
Today, we trailered about another 150 miles north towards Watson Lake in the Yukon Terr. to a point where the snow was more solid and "like snow". The temperature is getting low and cold again. Tonight it is predicted that the therm. will fall to zero as a low. Still not too bad.
The sleds put in at this point and went the remaining 100miles to our motel in Watson's lake (what a primitive dump) riding their snowmobiles in deep powder. Needless to say, many got stuck by sinking in the snow. The technique is that the riders should float on the snow by maintaining a good balance with the ski tips raised above the snow - much like in downhill skiing in new powder.
Still, all were happy to get out and "ride" as they originally planned. I think for the rest of the trip, snow conditions will return to normal.
The forests are thick with fairly large spruces and with game. Today we saw deer, moose and buffalos - yes, wild buffalos along side the highway (some lying down and some with little buffalos). They know enough to stay away from trucks and when we stopped to photograph them, they posed like professionals.
Tonight, after the riders assembled on our trucks and trailers, tempers flared. Two had to be stopped from actually getting into a fight. The stress was related to difficulty in the powder (some kept getting stuck by sinking) and their dependence on the truck to insure that no one was left behind.
The sleds for the most part are in good shape. Riding in snow, obviously, protects wear and tear, whereas, the gravel and concrete tears them up.
Tomorrow, we are going to Whitehorse in the Yukon. That's when I bail out. I was supposed to return on the 10th, but accelerated the date to the 6th. Unfortunately, there are no flights until the 8th so I will have to cool my heels in that little city. I'm sure, I'll find something to do and will stay in contact with Team 3 (group 2), Tomorrow will be the last day that you can track me by my satellite SPOT
device. Remember, I am "Chase 2....".
P.S. I got a chance to ride a sled around several blocks near our hotel. What fun! It is easy to understand why so many are hooked on this sport.
Still, you can bet that I am looking forward to getting back to Nashville.
Take care for now...........Tom
This is where Tom is now approximately
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Chase2(G2SV3)
Sent: Fri 3/05/10 5:12 AMTO ALL:
Today, we trailered about another 150 miles north towards Watson Lake in the Yukon Terr. to a point where the snow was more solid and "like snow". The temperature is getting low and cold again. Tonight it is predicted that the therm. will fall to zero as a low. Still not too bad.
The sleds put in at this point and went the remaining 100miles to our motel in Watson's lake (what a primitive dump) riding their snowmobiles in deep powder. Needless to say, many got stuck by sinking in the snow. The technique is that the riders should float on the snow by maintaining a good balance with the ski tips raised above the snow - much like in downhill skiing in new powder.
Still, all were happy to get out and "ride" as they originally planned. I think for the rest of the trip, snow conditions will return to normal.
The forests are thick with fairly large spruces and with game. Today we saw deer, moose and buffalos - yes, wild buffalos along side the highway (some lying down and some with little buffalos). They know enough to stay away from trucks and when we stopped to photograph them, they posed like professionals.
Tonight, after the riders assembled on our trucks and trailers, tempers flared. Two had to be stopped from actually getting into a fight. The stress was related to difficulty in the powder (some kept getting stuck by sinking) and their dependence on the truck to insure that no one was left behind.
The sleds for the most part are in good shape. Riding in snow, obviously, protects wear and tear, whereas, the gravel and concrete tears them up.
Tomorrow, we are going to Whitehorse in the Yukon. That's when I bail out. I was supposed to return on the 10th, but accelerated the date to the 6th. Unfortunately, there are no flights until the 8th so I will have to cool my heels in that little city. I'm sure, I'll find something to do and will stay in contact with Team 3 (group 2), Tomorrow will be the last day that you can track me by my satellite SPOT
device. Remember, I am "Chase 2....".
P.S. I got a chance to ride a sled around several blocks near our hotel. What fun! It is easy to understand why so many are hooked on this sport.
Still, you can bet that I am looking forward to getting back to Nashville.
Take care for now...........Tom
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Tom's trip from Sault St. Marie to Toke, Ak SITREP#14 (seventeen)
This is where Tom is now approximately
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Chase2(G2SV3)
Sent: Thu 3/04/10 5:26 AMTO ALL: Below is the message that I wrote up for the web site so it is naturally positive. It provides our location at Munchi Lake and the trials/tribulations to get here.
Actually, the leadership is woefully lacking. My point is that plans are made and broken as fast. (sort of like the Myerchins trying to decide what to do while on a family reunion).
The lack of snow is so disappointing and so our trip will end a bit early without accomplishing the goal of going all the way from Michigan to Alaska by snowmobile.
In the accompaning article, I tried to chronicle the zeal and total effort the sledders are trying under extremely tough conditions.
There are many bridges over the gorges that have to be traversed. The roadbed is bare and in the way of 40 ton tandem oil and natural gas trucks. This part of BC has just been discovered to have the largest natural gas pools underground as exist in the world. The traffic is murderous with big trucks that can squash the snowmobiles like ants.
This evening the temp is dropping quite a bit, so it will be cold, but no snow is in the forecast.
Read my report below and you will get a glimpse of what's happening today. In addition to the beautiful mountains, the forest is thick on each side of the road with large spruce. We see deer, moose and caribous every day. They are everywhere.
Tomorrow, we will leave for Watson Lake, our first stop in the Yukon Terr.
Take care..... Tom
-----Forwarded Message-----
>From: tmyerchi@earthlink.net
>Sent: Mar 3, 2010 8:18 PM
>To: Steve Haas
>Subject: The view from a Support Truck Driver
>
>Last night over a beer, at the local pizza place in Ft. Nelson, Team 3 agreed to "trailer" to our next town - Muncho Lake, where it was rumored that the snow pack would work much better for snowmobiling. Fort Nelson seemed like bare earth and Canadian concrete. Instead, this morning would be spent "touring" Ft Nelson trails.
>
>Then this morning at daybreak, eight intrepid souls (.....) decided to brave the ditches and show all that it was possible to go the route to Muncho Lake which was about 150 miles down the road. This was in spite of local sledders suggesting that it couldn't be done. They took off with "I told you so".
>
>The "staybehinds" had an invitation from a local contractor , with his young sons leading, to play on the local surrounding trails and and some deep snow for the morning. By noon, after testing the Ft Nelson snow (or lack thereof), they loaded for Muncho Lake. All agreed that this side excursion was well worth the effort to see some scenery, yet get a good workout even though it was 40degrees with snow turning to ice and water. I think the "sons" - one only 11 years old, showed these "olsters", what bumpy sledding was all about. They led a good pace.
>
>Then, the support trucks took off. Twenty miles later, at the edge of the road, they encountered the 8 tuckered out souls - sweaty from the warm temperature and the torturous sledding. I know that we truckers were a welcome sight and quickly loaded the bunch and headed on to Muncho Lake.
>
>Two thirds of the way there, we stopped for lunch at one of the most rustic (read that primitive) Inns along the route. It was unusual in that it had over 300 caps hanging from the ceiling and walls. No one wanted to donate their cap. I'm sure they thought we were cheapies and not playing the game. While tasting some of the best stew in a long while, the gang of eight were just about ready to try sledding again. It took two locals to convince them it was not possible due to snow and road conditions.
>
>One thing is sure. These guys never give up without a good fight - to press on to the bitter end - all in the name of great sport.
>
>I admire that kind of dedication. You just want to be with strong willed people who finish what they started.
>
>But better judgement prevailed and all of us then enjoyed a great road trip in the support vehicles to Muncho Lake. We traveled on the ALCAN highway among the most beautiful mountains in the northern Canadian Rockies. Then, we reached Muncho Lake and over a beer started to decide the plan for tomorrow. I wondered again, if another bunch of intrepid souls would emerge or would it again be like "herding cats" or getting a consensus? We will see!
>
>Tom Myerchin (Group 2, Team 3)
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Tom's trip from Sault St. Marie to Toke, Ak, SITREP#14 (sixteen)
This is where Tom is now approximately
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Chase2(G2SV3)
Sent:
Wed 3/03/10 4:47 AM
To All(with my stream of consciousness):
Tonight we trailered to Fort Nelson, BC with the weather in the low 50's - one of the warmest winter days in recent time.
The riders will do a 6 hour snowmobile tour in the local area with a guide over the remaining snow that is protected from the sun. Then we load and press on to Muncho Lake. There is not enough snow for riding to that location either so we will do the same as here in Ft Nelson.
I will be next in Watson Lake and the following day in Whitehorse where I will get a plane early - probably on the 5th. There is no way to get there any earlier because Whitehorse has the only airport in the region and there are no "taxi's". The riders will continue to Tok for a ceremony. Nontheless, the luster is gone in that the riders did not ride all the way to Alaska as planned nor will they enter any historical record book. This is a real bummer.
The terrain is much like we saw in Alaska. The forests are all around us with little farming. The trees are scroungy and small. There is a rennaissance in the oil industry here with massive drilling for natural gas and oil. Hence, there are hugh oil industry trucks constantly on the road suggesting the industrial base and financial health of the Province. Locals expect even more prosperity in the region makeing this probably the richest Province in Canada.
We are in the foothills of the Canadian (Northern) "Rockys" and large snow covered mountains loom in the distance. They are magnificant and remind me much of the St Elias Range in the Kenai Pin that Phil took on the "fameous ride to McCarthy. This part of BC is so much more different from the eastern part.
The riders are quite dejected and distressed that the mission will not go as planned.
One event that I noticed yesterday was to watch the formation of 6 riders (the last bunch to give up the ride) was to note them "swarming" for trail openings.When the riders would come to a blockage on the trail, they would swarm i.e., do figure 8's each in different directions to find an opening. When the opening was found by one, the rest would quickly intuit the opening and follow the first one through the "hole" - almost like mental telephathy.
The race is quickly coming to end and I look forward to getting home - to hug Barb and the "animals".
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Tom's trip from Sault St. Marie to Toke, Ak sitrep13 (fifthteen)
Sent: Tue 3/02/10 3:11 PM
To all: The day yesterday ended in a meltdown. Many of the sleds were damaged from the day before and only six riders started the day. We worked with them all day against all odds. There was simply no or little snow. The sledders had to go for half a mile on their metal strips and late at night about 9:30, local time quite and loaded up. Thus, the ride from Michigan to Alaska folded. The group behind us has got to Manitoba and quit their ride.
We are working on a plan to get me home earlier than the 10th of March. It's too bad, things did work out for this historic ride. It would have made the Guiness Book of Records.
It is warm here in BC, probably warmer than Nashville with very little snow - mostly slush.
Documenting the personalities as they emerged/evolved will be the grist of lots of introspection and possibly a story.
That's it for now.
Tom
To all: The day yesterday ended in a meltdown. Many of the sleds were damaged from the day before and only six riders started the day. We worked with them all day against all odds. There was simply no or little snow. The sledders had to go for half a mile on their metal strips and late at night about 9:30, local time quite and loaded up. Thus, the ride from Michigan to Alaska folded. The group behind us has got to Manitoba and quit their ride.
We are working on a plan to get me home earlier than the 10th of March. It's too bad, things did work out for this historic ride. It would have made the Guiness Book of Records.
It is warm here in BC, probably warmer than Nashville with very little snow - mostly slush.
Documenting the personalities as they emerged/evolved will be the grist of lots of introspection and possibly a story.
That's it for now.
Tom
Monday, March 1, 2010
Tom't trip from Sault St. Marie to Toke, Ak SITREP#12 (fourteen)
www.michcanska.com
To All:
Tonight we are in High Prairie, western Alberta. The weather is unusually warm here and there is very little snow. the snowpack is light and the weather unusually warm. This is in stark contrast to the snow and cold in the eastern part of the U.S. The sledders must run their machines on bare highways and cross overs. There is some snow in the ditches, but running in ditches is tough on the back and the sleds. The metal gliders which are mounted under the skiis gets worn in a very short time. One guy on my team burned an large hole right through the skiis. He can't go on until we get some replacement parts from local dealers who we have to hunt down in the little villages etc.
The stress level is very high with a lot of "finger pointing". A number of sleds have been severly wrecked. The crews work all night to repair from materials carried in the trailers. We carry the most common. However, we need to constantly chase to dealers for major assemblies. i will be going south for about 100plus miles to get parts and will carry the sleds with me.
Getting ready for each day starts early in the am - up at 5:00am, and readying the support trailers for sled removal (sleds are stored in the trailers for security reasons). The next hour is getting all the gear ready and the riders suited up. Then we go to designated sites to pickup the accident wreckage and bruised riders. No one has been seriously hurt, but bruised mightly.
At the end of the day, a short supper and then to the trailers for repairs late in the night for the next day's ride
In spite of the lack of snowfall in Alb and BC, no rider wants to quit. We are still trying to get all to the finish line even though, these will get some breaks riding with me.
Tomorrow, we will enter BC and stop at Fort St John. All hope we find more snow at the higher lattitudes.
That's it for now..... Tom
This is where Tom is now approximatelySent: Mon 3/01/10 5:50 AM
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Chase2(G2SV3)
To All:
Tonight we are in High Prairie, western Alberta. The weather is unusually warm here and there is very little snow. the snowpack is light and the weather unusually warm. This is in stark contrast to the snow and cold in the eastern part of the U.S. The sledders must run their machines on bare highways and cross overs. There is some snow in the ditches, but running in ditches is tough on the back and the sleds. The metal gliders which are mounted under the skiis gets worn in a very short time. One guy on my team burned an large hole right through the skiis. He can't go on until we get some replacement parts from local dealers who we have to hunt down in the little villages etc.
The stress level is very high with a lot of "finger pointing". A number of sleds have been severly wrecked. The crews work all night to repair from materials carried in the trailers. We carry the most common. However, we need to constantly chase to dealers for major assemblies. i will be going south for about 100plus miles to get parts and will carry the sleds with me.
Getting ready for each day starts early in the am - up at 5:00am, and readying the support trailers for sled removal (sleds are stored in the trailers for security reasons). The next hour is getting all the gear ready and the riders suited up. Then we go to designated sites to pickup the accident wreckage and bruised riders. No one has been seriously hurt, but bruised mightly.
At the end of the day, a short supper and then to the trailers for repairs late in the night for the next day's ride
In spite of the lack of snowfall in Alb and BC, no rider wants to quit. We are still trying to get all to the finish line even though, these will get some breaks riding with me.
Tomorrow, we will enter BC and stop at Fort St John. All hope we find more snow at the higher lattitudes.
That's it for now..... Tom
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