Campout Refresher

After their long break during the Quest, the yearlings needed a refresher campout. Here are some photos and a video from the adventure!  

Team Line Up:

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Left to right: Pirate, Dana, Brodie, Sally

Sally (2 yr) Brodie (4 yr)

Pirate (3 yr) Dana (2 yr)

Fenton (1 yr) Belle (1 yr)

Drake (1 yr) Coot (1 yr)

Eider (1 yr) Lefty (1 yr)

Brant (1 yr) CJ (1 yr)

Belle and Fenton did exceptionally well in the hills, which goes to show that size doesn't matter since Belle is the smallest yearling and Fenton is the largest! Little Sally is developing into a rock solid leader and has no problem with either fast trails or deep snow! At first, Coot and Brant were a little taken aback by the length and size of the hills on our run, but they overcame their surprise and finished strong and focused. 

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Brodie and Sally leading the yearlings on a refresher campout. 

Yukon Quest Video Recap

1000 miles condensed into a 10 minute video. Enjoy! 

FINISH! And Videos from the Trail.

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Wow! What an ABSOLUTELY AMAZING adventure. Thank you to everyone who helped the team reach the finish line. Volunteers, race staff, Ryno team, sponsors, fans, everyone….THANK YOU! Most importantly, I couldn't be more proud of Fire, Ham, Perm, Jana, Fez, Kindi, Charley, Rucu, and Supai. They have joined the elite 1000-mile athletes and reached a new level of amazingness. Until next time Yukon Quest...

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Northern Lights of the Two Rivers checkpoint

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Riley, Nicolle, Ryne and Tessa at the Two Rivers checkpoint

Check out Fire, Ham, and the team rocking the overflow on our way to the Two Rivers Checkpoint! 

A cow and calf moose get the team fired up!

Videos from the Yukon Quest Trail

As the Ryno Kennel team moved through the checkpoints the last few days, the support crew has had no cell coverage, limiting our communication. Sorry for the lack of posts. 

With the increase in miles and temperature, the young dog team has been gaining more confidence. While Ryne has continued the run/rest cycle she adopted due to the earlier weather, the run times are getting faster and the dogs are gaining strength the closer they get to home. Did you happen to check the run from Central  to Milepost 101 which included the climb over Eagle Summit? Granted the dogs have had a lot of rest, but that was one of the fastest times, and probably their favorite run so far. 

The dropped dog in Central was Cartel, who cracked a toenail. Without the benefit of a full pedicure, Ryne felt it best to give the wonder dog a much deserved rest. The prissy little cheerleader was none too happy to be taken off the team, but Cartel became a love in the handler's caravan.

The incredible young team made another fast run into Chena Hot Springs last night. After the mandatory 8 hour rest, they will be headed to the finish line. Keep your eye on the tracker (http://www.yukonquest.com/race-central/current-standings/live-tracking), and those in Fairbanks, come on out and cheer these super stars home!

Below are a few videos captured from the team's travels. The first video has very poor, well really nonexistent video, but we thought you might enjoy Ryne's audio commentary. The second video gives an idea of how rough that jumble ice really is, while the third video is smooth sailing. So grab your favorite warm drink, be patient with the download, and enjoy!

Pictures from the trail

Time to rest Fire; first rest between Dawson City and Trout Creek

Ham

Kindi 

Trout Creek behind the island in the top center of the picture. The trail crosses from right to left by the island, then up the river on the left side of this photo. Jumble ice evident.

A stop at Trout Creek (Mike Sager's warm cabin opened up for the mushers to enjoy a hot drink!) 

The path home!

We did learn that Katy was dropped in Eagle. No injury or soreness, but her young age was starting to show in her loss of focus on the trail. 

Talk from the trail!

Ryno Kennel on American Summit  (Thanks Ed from wildak.net)

Techniques of free writing:

• Do not make corrections as you write.
• Write whatever comes into your mind.
• Do not judge or censor what you are writing.

While Ryne was eating her first meal in Dawson City, instead of having Ryne do a free writing, she did a little “free talking” when a few of the dog’s names were called out:

Fire -- the main gal, the one who gets them down the trail, excited about running, always ready to leave, at 5 years old - the old lady on the team and her maturity is apparent

Cartel -- turned into a vocal dog, high pitch yips when it is time to go

Katy -- super steady for a young dog, unfazed by the huge increase in miles, does not like kibble but loves snacks (meat!) {side note: this sounds like human Katy -- prefers dessert over the entree!}

Rucu -- eats everything, including his neighbors food! Does not like the overflow but still a super hard worker

Supai -- getting stronger the more miles under his belt

During the second meal (dinner), we listened in as Ryne was interviewed and came away with the following tidbits:

• On the Yukon Quest Race: Ryno Kennel has never had to camp as much, having to travel 200+ miles self-supported. Not only did  the team not seem to mind carrying the extra weight, Ryne particularly enjoyed how the camping brings not only more of a connection with the team, but also really brings the mushers together out on the trail.
• Ryne’s original race plan changed on the first day due to the extreme temperatures. This is a very young team, first time any of them have run 1000 miles, so making it fun is paramount. Ryne rearranged their run time to the natural sleep cycle of the dogs, and timed rests during the heat of the day so the dogs could relax when they rest.
• Everything takes longer in these extreme temperatures. The excitement of the dogs to go after a rest is evidence of the need for this extra time (feeding, massaging, resting) Ryne is giving them in these brutal conditions. 
• Least favorite run so far was going into Scroggie Creek, a run that seemed like everytime they went around a corner, they had already been around that corner! Ryne said she started singing:

She'll be coming 'round the mountain when she comes, (when she comes).
She'll be coming 'round the mountain when she comes, (when she comes).
She'll be coming 'round the mountain, she'll be coming 'round the mountain,
She'll be coming 'round the mountain when she comes, (when she comes).

She'll be driving eleven beautiful dogs when she comes,...

• Favorite run has been the last few runs into Dawson City (see earlier post with video.) The trail had taken the team higher providing spectacular views.
• A favorite stop she did not plan on taking was Stepping Stone hospitality stop. At the checkpoint before, mushers commented on how they were planning on running past. But as the trail comes up to that point, signs start to appear: first at 300 meters - HOT BURRITOS; 200 meters -- HOT LASAGNA; 100 meters -- HOT COFFEE. How could one not stop with that advertising!

Today, Ryne is back on the trail after her mandatory stay in Eagle. Looks like she stayed extra to rest the dogs and left when it was warm and light. From her run times, looks like the team is having fun and enjoying the day.

Go Ryno Kennel!

Video from Ryne's Birthday Ride!

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!!)