The Race: Dalzell Gorge and the Burn Summary and Analysis

Gary is awakened by indistinct shouts and blinding white light. Another musher has a hold of his own team and Gary's while shouting in Gary's face. Gary is planted in the snow face first as pain courses through his body. He slowly stands, takes his handlebars, and is promptly planted back on his face as the team takes off when the other musher releases his grip. Gary realizes that this is the position he has been in for most of Dalzell Gorge.

Gary stays at the Rainy Pass checkpoint for six hours but still does not rest. As he starts for the gorge, he is still having an easy time and does not understand what the checker fussed over. He hears a slight noise and looks behind him. As...