The Adventure has come to an End.

Whistler (BC), March 2, 2010    

We left our dear Alaska Monday morning on the Alaska Airlines 7:30 flight to Seattle starting our long trip back to Iceland on the other side of the globe with a stop over in Whistler for skiing and San Francisco.  

With that comes to an end this huge adventure of ours i.e. taking part in the Trail Class of the Irondog Snowmobile Race - The World´s Longest, toughest Snowmobile Race.  As you may know we were in the race last year as well but had to scratch in Galena 3 1/2 days into the race. We did not finish.  We learned a lot that year and this experience has helped us tremendously this year. Some people say about this race "To Finish is a Victory" and it was with that goal in mind we set out again this year.  Our goal was to finish without getting hurt.  This we managed. 

This has been our fourth visit to Alaska and hopefully not the last.  It is hard to define our feelings on leaving this Northland.  Even though we come from Iceland, a country on the other side of the earth there are a lot of similarities in nature and the people.  Iceland lies at a similar latitude as Alaska.  Fairbanks and Reykjavík the capital of Iceland, are at the same latitude.  The main difference is that in Iceland there are no trees.  Alaska offers so much. It is a land of so much abundance in nature.  But that is only part of our Alaska experience this time as before.  It is the people of this Northland that are it´s greatest resource.  We do not really know were to begin with our thanks for all the warm reception, interaction, support, and help we have received.  It started on the first day on our first trip when we arrived in Alaska in 2006 when the board of the Anchorage Snowmobile Club with it´s then president John Scudder gave us the warmest of welcome over dinner. That night a friendship was established that has only grown stronger over the years.So we want to thank John and his wife Debbie for the friendship and support over the years.  

This year John and Thóra Hrönn formed the all important support team for our team, TEAM 57.  To know that they were monitoring our progress and ready to answer our sat phone calls and then go and find parts if something broke down and get it on an airplane out to us in the bush was invaluable.  

We want to thank Chris and Erica Maynard of Alaska Snow Safaris for the friendship and service over the years.  It was Chris that gave us the idea that we could go on the Irondog Race after he had finished it three years ago and lent me his TEAM 55 sled that he had just done the race on to go on it to Dawson City in the Yukon Terrritory in Canada.  

This year we teamed up on the second day of the race with Glenn Johnmayer and Matthew Subitch of Team 58.  After that we ran more like one team rather than two. The harmony and the humor between us all was something very special.  Thank you Glenn and Matt. We will go to the end of this world with you any time as long as we do it on a snowmachine.

At the same time we want to thank all other racers both Trail and Pro Class for their advice and friendship.  Everybody helps everybody in this race.  It is true what is written on the www.irondog.org web site i.e.   "While it is a very competitive race, and some elements and strategies are very guarded and2 secretive, Iron Dog racers realize they are competing against the elements as much as they are competing against each other. Actually the veteran racers are very supportive and open to new teams. Perhaps more so than any other race. 

The people that organize this race year after year are an amazing bunch.  We want to thank them all for making this adventure possible.  A special thanks to Laura Bedard the CEO, to Race Directors Skip Boomershine and Dennis Falldorf, Marianne Beckham president, Board of Directors, Heidi Griffin, Kristal Larios, and Jenna Stump.  These are the named individuals of Irond Dog that we thank but the same feeling go out to all the "nameless" volunteers that make this annual event possible i.e. checkers, markers, trail breakers, etc. etc. A special thanks to the checkers in Ruby and Galena.  I do not have their names but if someone that reads this has them please drop me an e-mail.  

We had been told that the people in the villages would be helpful.  This is a huge understatement. All people we met in the villages we want to define as members of our support team.  Motivation, warmth, help, laughter, parts you name it these people have got.   A special thank you to Earl and Marion Esmailka of Kaltak for helping us with a shock absorber for Magnús´s sled, for inviting us into their home for the night and convincing us the next morning that we would be in Nome by nightfall that very day.  Something we did not believe ourselves that morning. 

Will we do it again?  Time will tell.

TEAM 57 - THE ICEMEN - THE ICELANDIC IRONDOG SNOMOBILE TEAM

Thóra Hrönn Njálsdóttir,  Magnús Sigurjónsson, and Sigurjón Pétursson

TEAM 58 - THE AVIATORS and TEAM 57 THE ICEAMEN presented with ARMY NATIONAL GUARD´s COIN OF EXCELLENCE for being the first two teams across the finish line in NOME

TEAM 57 and TEAM 58 presented with COIN OF EXCELLENCE by ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

Nome, February 24, 2010 23:00

The National Guard is the chief sponsor of the Irondog Snowmachine Race - The World´s Longest, Toughest Snowmobile Race.  At the Banquet for racers in Nome tonight the Guard presented members of Team 57 and Team 58 with their COIN of EXCELLENCE for being the first two teams to cross the finish line in Nome.  All teams both in Trail Class and Pro Class were present as well as a lot of friends and families.  Go to our Photo Gallery to look at pictures.

Tomorrow we fly back to Anchorage with our sleds to do some snowmobiling with our friend John Scudder.  After that we will make the sleds ready for sale.  These are the sleds we used last year as well so they have been twice in the Irondog race.  They have served us well.  Then Saturday Magnús is flying out to meet his wife and brother and his friend for some skiing in Whistler.  We will follow them Monday morning.

Sigurjón.

Team 57 THE ICEMEN - The first team across the Nome finish line 

Team  57 is resting in Nome

Nome, February 24th. 2010 12:00

After arriving Monday night with team 58 THE AVIATORS in Nome by the Bearing Sea the team has been showering and sleeping.  We have been working on our photographs.  There are more than 1300+ images taken by Thóra Hrönn and Sigurjón that have to be sorted and put on the web.  You can now go to the PHOTO GALLERY part of this web site and experience this amazing race with us. 

Teams are constantly coming in so we are running out of the door every now and then to photograph and greet them.

Tonight there is the Nome Banquet. 

More news and photos coming up tonight.

Sigurjón

Magnús and Sigurjón of Team 57 at Nome Finish 

We have arrived in NOME!

Nome, February 22, 2010 23:00

Just finished the race 1st. along with team 58 who joined us in Puntilla Lake Saturday morning. Came into Nome 20:30

The organizers didn't expected us until tomorrow morning so the finish line wasn't set up :-)  Mom was there with the finish flag celebrating.

Dad is already sleeping and I'm going to bed.  Photos and more news tomorrow.

This is what www.irondog.org posted on their web about us and team 58 crossing the finish line

"

Magnús

Earl Esmaelka of Kaltak and Kaltak checker with teams 57 and 58

KALTAK, YEEEEESSSSSS

Anchorage, February 21  24:00

Team 57 - THE ICEMEN -  and Team 58 - THE AVIATORS - arrived in Kaltag just after two and a half hours ride in darkness down the Yukon river from Galena. According to Sigurjon they had a smooth ride on the river. They are now 100 miles ahead of the other teams. I could hear the dogs greating them and also that they were a bit tired. This has been a long  day, about 320 miles (480 km) and 20 hours on and off the snow machines.  Also they have had mechanical problems just an hour after leaving Ophir this morning.  The front shock in the suspension system of Magnús´s sled broke down so he has been riding without it the whole day about 290 miles.  Earl Esmaelka a former Irondog racer who lives in Kaltak has just given Magnús a new shock and they are installing it so the sled will run perfect tomorrow. They will sleep in Kaltag.

Thóra Hrönn

 Magnús and Matthew of Team 58 fixing Magnús´s sled.  Broken Shock in Suspension

Magnús of Team 57 THE ICEMEN has a broken front suspension shock.

Anchorage, February 21, 2010 22:00

At 8:00 this morning Team 57 THE ICEMEN and Team 58 - THE AVIATORS left Ophir on their way to Poorman. After about two hours´ ride they had some mechanical problems in Magnus´s snowmachine. As it turned out it was the front shock absorber in the suspension system that had broken down. They could repair it temporarly and got on their way to Poorman.  But asked that a spare shock would be sent to them. The support team i.e. John Scudder and thóra Hrönn in Ancorage went shopping and with the help of Vance in Articat Big Lake the spare shock is on it´s way by plane to Galena. They arrived in Poorman at 16:00 hours, Ruby at 18:00 hours and Galena at 20:00 hours. As the repair still held they were tempted to go on and the destination is Kaltag 100 miles down the Yukon River and if all goes well they should be there at 1:00 after midnight with 746 miles on their milages. As I spoke to both of them I could hear that all is well.

Thóra Hrönn

Sigurjón in Keith Foreman´s Cabin in Ophir

Team 57 THE ICEMEN and team 58 THE AVIATORS have arrived in Ophir

Anchorage, February 21st. 2010 24:00

Team 57 - THE ICEMEN and Team 58 THE AVIATORS left McGrath after an hour´s stop having had something to eat and a little rest. They rode about 60 miles to Keith Foreman´s cabin in Ophir. The cabin is a  checkpoint for the Iditarod Dog Race two to three miles from Ophir. They have had no mechanical problems and having spoken to Sigurjon on the Sat phone I could hear that both teams are in good spirits. Both teams will spent the night in the cabin and start braking trail to Poorman in the morning. The distance between Ophir and Poorman is about 100 miles.

Thóra Hrönn

Team 57 sled in the Farewell Burn.  No snow for 50 miles between Rohn and Sullivan Bridge

Team 57 THE ICEMEN have arrived in McGrath

Anhcorage, February 21st.  2010  20:00

Team 57 - THE ICEMEN left Puntilla at 8:00 this morning after a good night´s rest. They just arrived in McGrath after 12 hours riding the snowmachines. When going through The Farewell Burn between Rohn Roadhouse and Nicolai there was no snow at all so they did not go very fast. But all is well, nothing is broken and they will have their dinner there and rest. 

Thóra Hrönn

Sleds refueling at Puntilla Checkpoint

Team 57 THE ICEMEN have arrived in Puntilla Lake

Anchorage, February 19, 2010  22:00

Team 57 - The Icemen left Big Lake at 9:30 this morning. They have arrived in Puntilla Lake  after more than 10 hours ride. According to Sigurjon the snow was very deep and it was raining heavily.   The team had a heavy going but all is well. Sigurjon and Magnus will sleep in Puntilla to night.

Thóra Hrönn

Race Day is here

Wasilla, February 19 2010  06:00

We are waking up and getting dressed. Green flag drops in two hours at Big Lake.  

It is 36°F outside so we better not overdress as the first part of the trail is through the woods and the first 20 miles are the most bumpy part of the whole trail all the way to NOME. On the bumps in the woods you sweat.

All is well, all lights are green, all systems are go.

Team 57  -  THE ICEMEN - The Icelandic Iron Dog Team

Irondog 2010 - Fourth Day of Training

Anhcorage, February 17, 2010 21:00

This day was supposed to be training day but has been spent differently.  Magnús had to go to the doctor as he is not well, got some medicine from the pharmacy and has spent the day in bed.  As I´m writing this he is feeling better and he is sure and certain that he will be race ready come Friday morning when the Green Flag falls at 9:30 in front of the Islander Lodge on Big Lake.  The sleds are race ready.  We moved them this afternoon upto Big Lake.  Big Lake Arctic Cat is keeping them and tomorrow our friend Charlie Potter at Big Lake Arctic Cat is going to take all the grease out of the spindles and put new grease in that is rated for -65°F.  This was one of things that failed us last year in the supercold on the Yukon river.  The grease in the spindles froze and steering became almost impossible.  Charlie is racing with Chad McClurg.  They are team 31 The Wounded Warrior team.  Charlie has toured in Iraq with the US Army, was wounded, and is now retired.  We thank Charlie for all his advice and friendship as well as Carl Swenson and his crew at Big Lake Arctic Cat.

Sigurjón

Denali, the tallest mountain in North America

Irondog 2010 - Third Day of Training

Anchorage, February 16, 2010

The day started beautifully.  After driving 10 minutes from Gate Creek Cabins we came out of the woods and had this unbelievable view of the Alaska Range including Denali and Mt. Foraker bathed in the morning sun.  We drove fast and far until two a clock in the afternoon.  Then as we were crossing the Parks Highway my heat exchanger hit John Scudder´s and Thóra Hrönn´s machines  as I had the sled in reverse instead of forward when crossing the road so that was that.  Yellow coolant coming out of a small hole on the heat exchanger stopped us so we put the sleds on our trailer and drove to our friend Brad Helwig (team 25) at Arctic Cat in Anchorage were the sled was torn apart and a welder that can weld aluminium called in.  We shure would have liked to to more driving today.  Checked into the Millenum Hotel – Race headquarters for the Iditarod Dog Sled Race – Magnús is not all togeather feeling well so we put him to bed and will get some medicine for him tomorrow.  

 EAS - New sponsor for Icelandic Irond Dog Team

Sigurjón and Magnús with Geir Gunnar of EAS.

 EAS - New sponsor for Icelandic Irond Dog Team

Anchorage, February 18, 2010 21:00

Team 57 has a new sponsor i.e. the Icelandic distributor of EAS products.  EAS, a leading science based sports nutrition brand, was founded in 1990 by Bill Phillips, a pioneer in the health and fitness arena.  Bill is author of the world famous book Body-for-Life.  EAS´s nutrition expert in Iceland Geir Gunnar has put together comprehensive emergency rations packets as well as food for every race day and  hydration rations all made up of EAS´s products. EAS has also provided the team with daily nutrition as well as strenght building products during the team´s training for the last 100 days before the race. We thank them for all their support and motivation.  

Sigurjón.

Team 57 with support crew setting out from Gate Creek Cabins for some night riding training

Irondog 2010 - Second Day of Training

Second training day was spent at Petersville close toMt. McKinley or Denali (The Great One) the tallest mountain in North America.  We did some night riding as well.  We stayed at Gate Creek Cabins were we received a warm welcome from our friends Craig and Susie the owners.  The trail system up there has been expanded tremendously since we came there first in 2006 thanks to all the volunteer work done by snowmachiners.  Excellent work.

Sigurjón.

Dog teams training on the Yentna river for the upcoming Iditarod Dog Race

Irondog 2010 - First Day of Training

Sunday February 14th  was our first day of training in Alaska for the Iron Dog.  We started in Big Lake were the race starts next Friday and followed the first day´s race route to Cow Lake and then up the Yentna river.  The trail was one bunch of bumps all the way from Big Lake to the Yentna river. The sleds worked just fine and we want to thank Brad Helwig and Tom of Arctic Cat in Anchorage for all the work they have done on the sleds. They have put new front shock absorbers on them as the Fox Float shock that we were using last year collapsed in the super cold we hit on the Yukon river ( -50°C).  Thóra Hrönn was riding a 1996 Polaris RMK rental sled.  It did OK until it did not do OK.  Thóra Hrönn blew the cylinder on that one.  You can see the team dragging the sled by hand up from the Yentna river in the photo album.  It was nice to stop for hot chocolade at Luce´s on the Yentna and watch the dog sled teams on the river.  We also met there with Team 57 and Team 23.  Various other teams were on the trail as well.  This year it is not nearly as cold as last year.  Only -5°C-10°C were as last year it was -25-30°C while we were training. Go to the PHOTO GALLERY to see some pictures.

Sigurjón.