Greetings...

Hello K-300 fans, Andy here.  I'm excited about the possibilities for the new and improved Daily Bark!

Let me give you a rundown of the winter weather and trail conditions we've had the past few months:

Like most of the state, the Bethel area started out cold and very dry in October and November.  Many local dog teams were hampered by the lack of snow, and at least one team flew upriver for several weeks to train in the Aniak area, where they had decent trails.  It wasn't until the second week of December that Bethel had any appreciable snowfall, and then it turned really cold (which for Bethel is -20 or lower).  Two days after Christmas the temperature climbed above freezing and it's been in the 20's and 30's ever since.  Over that same stretch, Bethel got hit with several really nice snowfalls, and we were set up for fantastic trails....

Then the string of powerful fronts that brought rain to Anchorage for 3 days straight brushed southwest Alaska and brought a couple days of thaw and wind.  Luckily, it snowed last night (Sunday night) as the temperature dropped back below freezing, to salvage our conditions to a large degree.  The river had some water on it over the weekend, but the forecast is calling for below zero nights over the next several days, and I anticipate water not being an issue for the race.  There is a slight moderation in temperatures forecasted for the weekend.

Thus, the trail is not perfect (how often does that happen?), but it is safe and it will improve over the next few days.  I will note that it was snowing lightly again this evening as I published this blog!

I will bring more weather updates and race analysis in the coming days, as well as commentary about the other events in Bethel during race week!

-Andy