Video from Ryne's Birthday Ride!
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Thanks to Birmingham, Alabama Founders Club cheering Ryno Kennel over American Summit!
24 Hours in Dawson City: Where did it go?
/First, Ryno Kennel would like to give a shout out to Scooter Thomas and his fellow Marines as they follow Ryno Kennel’s journey on the Yukon Quest.
Also, fun to see Ryno Kennel sponsors Louise (Sally’s sponsor) and Jeanne (Amy’s sponsor) out at the race. Thanks for braving the frigid temperatures on the trail.
Brief update on the 24 hour mandatory layover in Dawson City:
The team pulled into town at 8:38 PM, completed chores at the check in, and then trotted on over to the tent city set up across the Yukon River. Our extraordinary handlers, Riley and Derek, spent the afternoon massaging each dog, checking for any soreness or rubs, feeding and walking each dog, hanging up all the equipment to dry, and then scouring the stores in town for supplies to fix a broken sled. During this time, Ryne was whisked into town, fed a nice hot meal, and then settled in for a long afternoon nap.
After regrouping with the handlers for a nice dinner in town, Ryne shared with us a few stories from the trail (that post to come later!) Ryne then decided to forgo the comfort of the hotel, and instead, sleep in the tent to be near her dogs.
As hoped, the dogs had a wonderful night sleep bedded in the straw covered by blankets in their tent. They were up bright and early for feeding, walking, bootying, and harnessing. With the forecast of warmer trails for the second half of this race, a happy Ryno Kennel team left the Dawson City checkpoint at 8:44 AM with Fire and Jana in lead. Go Ryno Kennel!
Before heading back on the trail, Ryne wanted to make one more shout out to all the incredible people whose hospitality and volunteer time make the Yukon Quest an exceptional race. An example shared by Ryne was her experience at the Pelly Crossing checkpoint. The Ryno Kennel team trotted in at 5:47 PM, and after feeding and settling the dogs on their straw, Ryne entered the community center to grab some dinner for herself. Two dinners were offered, free of charge for the mushers, but Ryne had a hankering for breakfast food. Minutes after she got her gear off and hung up to dry, the kitchen staff presented Ryne a feast of eggs, bacon, toast, fresh fruit, muffins, oatmeal, and orange juice. Ryne enjoyed the meal immensely!
From Ryne: thank you to the amazing volunteers who keep a smile on their faces after giving their time to accommodate these sleepy, grumpy mushers.
Ryno Kennel into Dawson City!
/Ryno Kennel arrived into Dawson City this morning at 8:38 PST, healthy and happy, but looking forward to the mandatory 24 hour rest. Post will come later with more details of this last run that has put the team just under half way into the race, but for now, some pictures from this morning.
1st: gear check -- pass!
2nd: Vet checks
Happy Vets -- check! Thanks to these wonderful volunteers making sure Ryno Kennel's incredible athletes are happy, healthy, and having fun!
3rd: what is third? Everything is done right: ran into town, treats/food eaten, poked and prodded by those wonderful vets, booties off? Where is that tent they told us about?
This is more like it!
Find the doggies in a hay stack -- there are eleven!
The gear hung to dry. And, all is well for Ryno Kennel!
Camp ready in Dawson City for the 24 hour mandatory rest
/The best handlers a musher could have, Derek and Riley, have set up a warm, inviting camp in Dawson City for the Ryno Kennel team; outfitted with an arctic stove!
Ryno Kennel on their way to Dawson City
/First, the PR department for Ryno Kennel would like to apologize for the lack of news. Out on the trail, with limited bandwidth for the Wifi, "official" media get first priority. But, we have been keeping notes to catch you up.
The team made a strong run into Carmacks on Sunday. With a beautiful day for running, the dogs enjoyed camping during the "heat" of the afternoon (-40s) -- just wish we had pictures to share of them lounging in the sun! Ryne, on the other hand, preferred movement over shivering in her sleeping bag. Perm was the cheerleader of this section with continuous high pitch barking when ever the team stopped, pulling hard on her harness, encouraging the team forward very enthusiastically. Neptune had to be left behind in Carmack's much to everyone's dismay. A very attentive vet picked up a clue that Neptune might be getting sick. Though Neptune was eager to leave with her team, she is riding in comfort now with her sister, Niagra, in the handler's truck.
Arriving in Pelly Crossing on Monday at 5:44 PM, we learned of the team's fortitude being challenged on this run, and they all rose to the occasion. (4 teams have scratched by the time Ryno Kennel team leaves Pelly Crossing.)
On the run between Carmacks and Pelly Crossing: Fire was the rock of the team, so strong and driven, always pulling forward. Jana did incredibly well, and she was always the first dog off the straw ready to go. Cartel, well funny story: Ryne was trying to give Cartel some rest from leading and put Cartel in the sled bag at McCabe Creek. Cartel curled up in the end of the bag like she was relishing the idea of a little rest. But not 5 minutes down the trail and Cartel was screaming, screaming, screaming to get out of the bag and join her teammates -- what a cheerleader! Supai and Kindi were the big eaters on the trail which is huge. With the tempature as low as -45 degrees, a musher needs good eaters on the team who keep their energy up. Ham was another hard worker, always pulling on his harness. And Fez, what a super fast and steady little trot she had. Ryne liked running Fez at single wheel in the tricky sections (jumble ice) because she was able to slide under the gangline when pulling. Though Derby had to be dropped in McCabe Creek due to soreness, Derby had been a real cheerleader and hardworking dog that Ryne will miss.
The team left Pelly Crossing at 4:06 AM this morning with 11 eager dogs screaming and pulling at their harnesses. Ryne plans on a steady run/rest cycle to continue making this time on the trail a great adventure for this young team. We look for the team into Dawson City Wednesday evening, February 11th. (Ryne's Birthday!!)
Ryno Kennel Into Braeburn
/Perm and Neptune lead the team into Braeburn at 1:51 AM this morning. Ryne is rotating the leaders to keep them fresh.
Charley and Rucu are the all star wheel dogs with Ryne voicing much praise on their work ethic. All the dogs slept and ate well while on their campout between Whitehorse and Braeburn. They gobbled up their food, even snacks while on the trail, and settled right down to sleep when the straw was spread out.
Niagra stepped in an ice crack and has developed a sore shoulder, so after a great 100 miles, Niagra gets a ride home with the The Ryno Kennel handlers.
After choosing to do their first mandatory 6 hour rest (plus start differential) in Braeburn, Katy and Fire led the charge out of Braeburn in -40 degree weather -- burr!
Mushers Meetings and Start Banquet
/After a day of meetings, the crew attended the Yukon Start Banquet, and Ryne drew lucky number #16! Racers will leave the starting line in three minute intervals starting at 11 AM on Saturday.
What's up for tomorrow? Eat delicious goodies from Leslie McDonald and Kristina Livingston (THANK YOU), pace, pack, pace some more, walk dogs, play with dogs, eat, sleep, and plan for 1000-miles of ADVENTURE!! Yip Woo!!
On the Road…with Enterprise!
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And we're on the road to Whitehorse…in an Enterprise rental car!! While the bulk of the travel will be done from the back of the dog sled, the support crew driving the trail is just as important, and that's where Enterprise comes in.
The Ryno Team will be making the drive to Whitehorse in two groups. Yesterday evening, the Public Relations Manager (aka my mother, Katy Human) and I began the drive to Whitehorse. We left early in order to attend all the pre-race events.While most mothers relish their vacation time lounging on beaches and drinking margaritas in 80 degree weather with their daughters, my mother has been thriving at -35 degrees and darkness. Thanks, Mom, for spending your three weeks vacation in frigid, winter Alaska!
Operations Manager (Derek) and Canine Specialist (Riley) along with 14 canine athletes will drive to Whitehorse on Thursday. The dogs will have a couple more days at home to stretch out and relax before all the hustle and bustle of the race start.
A HUGE thank you to Ryan and Enterprise for providing the Ryno Team with a rental car to allow for better mobility. The Ryno Support Team will consist of the dog truck and an AWD Enterprise rental car, meaning my mother now does not have to sleep in the back of the dog truck at checkpoints! Big perk!
Home Town Physical Therapy
/We're excited to announce a new Ryno Kennel sponsor! This past summer, I had surgery on my back due to a herniated disk. With all the bending, twisting, lifting, and movement involved in mushing, it was critical that I was back to 110% health by September 1st to begin training. Home Town Physical Therapy set up an individual rehab schedule to ensure that I was ready to go by the mushing season. Not only am I healthier than ever before, but they've decided to sponsor Ryno Kennel! Thanks Jason, Jill, Greg, and all the wonderful staff at Home Town Physical Therapy for getting me back on my feet and helping me do what I love (like in the video below). THANKS!!
