Graveyard of Dreams-Shattered Hopes and Aspirations on Alaska's Iditarod Trail -new book by Craig Medred

We have finished the first two guided trips here in Alaska and are getting settled into our summer routine. Yesterday I took some relaxation time and read Craig Medred's book "Graveyard of Dreams, Dashed Hopes and Shattered Aspirations Along Alaska's Iditarod Trail". I didn't close the book until I was finished. He did a great job presenting the history, geography, weather and the people that make the Trail what it is to all of us. The story is about the dog race but take away the dogs and it could have been written about all of us who come back year after year to enjoy life in its simplest form eating, drinking, sleeping, moving, facing and hopefully overcome the challenges the Trail throws our way. The book made me want to be back on the trail today! If any of you are interested you can find the book at Palmer Fireside Books
www.goodbooksbadcoffee.com or at
amazon.com

Bill Merchant

2011 race roster

We published the 2011 race roster today. The race is limited to 50 racers.
We also established a waiting list.
2011 roster

2010 Racer's write-ups 2011 Entries

We will start accepting entries for the 2011 race start date Sunday, February 27th, 2011 starting April 1-7, 2010 for race veterans (racers who have finished the race before)
April 8, 2010 for rookies (new racers).

Great race stories by these racers about the 2010 race which just finished.

Dave Pramann cyclist from Minnesota, USA
Sean Grady cyclist from Palmer, Alaska, USA
Louise Kobin, cyclist from California, USA
Glenn Mackie, runner from Texas, USA

AK Dispatch links & APRN Radio, MTB Podcasts

what-mushers-will-face-on-iditarod-trail

new-record-set-in-human-powered-iditarod

defending-champ-defeated-in-iditarod-trail-invitational

human-powered-iditarod-reaches-rainy-pass

Alaska nightly news on APRN bikers-bike-the-iditarod-trail

mtbcast.com podcasts

Follow the 9th annual Iditarod Trail Invitational...starts Feb. 28th, 2010 at 2:00 PM

Latest News twice daily
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Updates daily here as well:

http://twitter.com/craigmedred

The call of the wild by Craig Medred, Feb. 27th, 2010

The drop bags made it out on the trail today.

Today was the day to fly the drop bags to Fingerlake and Rohn, as well as our tent, food into Rohn and food into Puntilla.
Bill called me from Willow from where we fly with Denali Flying Service at 3:00 PM that they made it in and out of the checkpoint locations on the trail.
This is great news. We are always sweating this every year if the weather cooperates for flying in the week before the start of the race for flying.
It is still warm out there on the trail, it was 42 F in Willow today.
The Irondog snowmobile race started today in Big Lake.
They go to Nome and then to Fairbanks.
More trail reports when Bill gets back this evening.

trail update February 19th

Hello All,

We just got back from a 5 day winter bike school based out of Flathorn Lake. Trails were a little soft during the day and with the warm temperatures all the normal places were starting to overflow on the lakes and rivers. With temperatures up to 40 degrees and rain in the Susitna valley things are getting a bit soggy. Word from Shell Lake they got 17 inches of fresh wet snow. Olene Petruska said her grandson had been moose hunting from Nikolai to Farewell Lake and that there was not enough snow to see a moose track. There is a fresh burn between Rohn and Egypt Mountain that has left deadfall all over the trail. The Iron Dog has punched a trail around it and back up the Post river . Not sure yet if it will work for us so don't forget to pack your saws.

There is a production crew making a reality show for television about the Perrins boys at Rainy Pass Lodge. They will be there when we go through and ask about filming all of you. I told them they could not bother any of you but if you wanted to be a star I had no problem with it. If you don't want to be bothered do not hesitate to say no thank you. You will have to sign a release to be on TV.

Craig Medred will be reporting from the trail so don't get caught doing anything you don't want someone to read about. He doesn't need a release. He has also said he will pitch in and help with trail breaking chores if needed. Journalist/Trailbreaker are not 2 words you would expect to see together. We are glad to have Craig back on the trail with us.

Phrase of the day, "waterproof to the knees"

More after I fly the drops

Bill Merchant
Race Director