An update from Gerry as the sun sets on the first full day of racing in the Eukanuba Stage Stop: Yesterday was the “ceremonial start,” to speak in Iditarod terms: a quick 2-mile run through the heart of Jackson. Today was the first “real” stage, a 32-mile run in the hills west of Driggs, Idaho. … More Eukanuba Stage Stop: Day 1 Update
On Wednesday, Gerry and the team headed out on their last training run before the Eukanuba Stage Stop. The video above was shot at 9,300 feet elevation, and it looks like the dogs are adjusted well to the altitude (as well as the heat — Yukon dogs don’t do most of their racing at 43ºF). The minimum … More Video: Training in Wyoming
Gerry and the team have been in Wyoming for more than a week now, acclimating to the new environment — and especially the new altitude! We’ve never run dogs this far south and this high up, so the numbers we’re seeing on the old Garmin look pretty funny to a team accustomed to running much … More Altitude Training in Wyoming
In mid-January Gerry and 16 dogs headed up the Alaska Highway again — wait… That should read “headed down.” This time around the BlackJack dog rig took the famed highway heading south towards Alberta and across the line into Montana and Wyoming to compete in the Eukanuba Stage Stop Race. The mission for the first 10 days has … More Yeehaw! Off to Wyoming!
Fans sometimes ask how mushers stay motivated out on the trail. Of course love of the outdoors and the dogs is the biggest motivator — but a great playlist can help make the miles fly by — and help the musher stay awake. For Gerry, that soundtrack along the trail is heavy with Deep Purple, the … More Farewell to Lemmy
Gerry Willomitzer 