As I stared out for this post I went on a search for a quote. One that would help illustrate the fact that as we plan for Iditarod we are doing everything we can to prepare for a situation where we are at the mercy of forces beyond our control.
In preparing for battle I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable.
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Now I like this one, it clearly shows the value of planning in spite of the fact that in the heat of battle they are often thrown away. Planning is the anchor, the root, the backbone. The results of and knowledge gained in the process of planning are the most important things you take with you as you head into the unknown. It can not be underestimated.
Everyone has a plan ’till they get punched in the mouth.
Mike Tyson
But then again; Mike does have a point.
And the ability to roll with the punches is something that can not be overlooked.
Being able to travel like this makes all the planning worth it!
Yes this year more then most we are looking at planning for the unknown. News agencies are reporting on the possible re-route of the Iditarod trail. Extremely low snow conditions may force the Iditarod to start in Fairbanks, and use an alternative route until mushers travel to the Yukon River. Our local paper did a nice story on it.
Mushers were notified in advance of having to pack and turn in their drop bags for the race. This was a key move on the part of the Iditarod Trail Committee (ITC) and we thank them for it. It is obvious that a lot of care and thought is going into this decision, and we are glad that such efforts are being made to ensure the safety of the teams on the trail.
Preparing the sled plastic to be packed and sent out on the trail.
Friends have been asking Dan if he is worried about the changes. And the answer he most often gives is “it is what it is”. This is not a defeatist statement, quite the opposite. We recognize the ITC is doing what is best for the dogs and the race, and that the decisions they make will effect all mushers equally. Tonight Dan said “as long as I am not the only one running that way, it’s all good”. No amount of stress of worry right now will change anything, and when the time comes he will have to deal with it the same as everyone else. So his time was better spent planning and working on things in his control. And most recently that has been drop bags!
Yummy trail snacks
In the past I have posted about the importance of drop bags, and what goes into them: Anatomy of Drop Bags – a photo dissection of what goes into planning for 1000 miles. But really there is no way to accurately express the level of importance mushers place on preparing the drop bags. Cause let’s face it, over a 1000 miles there is a good chance you are going to get (metaphorically) punched in the mouth. And when it happens, the drop bags you planned and worked so hard on are all you get out there. So they better be good.
Dan spent untold hours on the planning alone. And then we spent days cutting meat, measuring kibble into bags, packing booties, making home cooked meals for Dan to eat on the trail, and cookpot for dogs to eat on the trail. (what is cookpot you ask? read more) Of course, thanks to the early advisory on possible changes, more planning to make sure he would have what he needed for alternatives. Now in addition to being helpful, I also took the opportunity to snap some shots of Dan working hard. Here are some scenes from 2014 Iditarod Drop Bags.
Starting to organize all the different types of meat, kibble, fat, that will make up the meals, drinks and snacks for the dogs.
And lots of good food and fluids for Dan.
Everything gets measured and packaged.
Mushers send out a variety of snacks for the dogs.
Here is an example of what you might pack for the dogs to eat on a long run.
Dan packs some personal gear to send out to each checkpoint.
All the pieces are starting to come together.
Supplies are lined out in order by checkpoint.
Dan can look over everything he is sending out.
After everythng is checked and double checked he is ready to pack the bags.
Bags packed (after a long day) and ready to be tied up and turned in.
The bags were turned in this morning and a huge weight is lifted. Now we are looking forward to some quality time with the dogs. In addition to photographing Dan working away at his drop bags I did get the dogs out for some very fun shorter training runs. Thankfully I had the camera with me. Let me leave you with some images of the Dew Claw race dogs in training. Happy dogs on beautiful trails!
