The Race: The Yukon; Unalakleet Summary and Analysis

This portion of the race is run down the middle of the frozen Yukon River. Teams are exposed to wind and the temperature regularly falls to fifty or sixty below. The snow is too deep to run a team along the edge of the river. Every year there is talk of finding a different route but the Yukon offers a flat alternative to climbing the surrounding mountains.

Cookie enjoys running the river until she hits bare river ice and Gary must urge her on. The day is warm, about twenty below, and the dogs run well over the ice. As the team rounds a bend the wind picks up and the sun drops behind the mountains. When the sun begins to set Gary stops the team and layers on heavier clothes still ignorant...