Iditarod

 

Paige Drobny was the first to arrive at Ruby last night and also the first to leave, despite a 3½ hour rest. Matt Hall, Jessie Holmes, Michelle Phillips and Ryan Redington (in that order) have also pulled out of Ruby and are heading down the Yukon toward Galena.

In all, twelve teams have arrived at Ruby as of 5:15 am Alaska time, including Mille Porsild and her busted sled. No rookies have arrived at Ruby yet, but Emily Ford was the first rookie to leave Tenana checkpoint and is listed as 14th on the leaderboard. Emily is the only non-indigenous person of color in this year's race and said she wants "to continue to represent black people in cold places. . . (w)ith an understanding and drive to show that anyone can adventure and everyone deserves to discover the outdoors, regardless of race, gender identity, or upbringing." We liberal progressive geeks here at Sweat Dissolves Water are keeping an eye on Emily's progress and wish her success and safe passage on the Iditarod course.

The race is now on the traditional Iditarod trail, although the Northern Route normally used on even-numbered years.  Reports continue to indicate wet, slushy conditions along sections of the trail due to the warm (by Alaska standards) temperatures. 

The next checkpoint is Galena, 50 miles down the Yukon from Ruby. Galena (population 472) gets its name from nearby lead mines that opened in 1918-1919. Galena also hosts a former USAF airfield, now a public state-owned and -operated airport that accommodates daily air traffic from Fairbanks and Anchorage. Galena is the hub for smaller central Alaskan communities who depend on Galena’s capacity to deliver health, education, cultural, social, and other services and conveniences.