Friday 1st Feb.
 

The training session was very worth while with a presentation from Shelly who is a Yukonner and race veteran followed by a Q&A. I learnt that there will be more overflow than usual this time due to the mild weather, overflow is where the pressure of the water under a frozen lake or river pushes water up onto the ice, it quickly freezes but its possible to break through an get wet feet. Big insulated over boots were recommended, or by some described as essential so I was back down to Coast Mountain Sports to part with some more cash.

The real valuable bit of the training course was the evening trek, with sleds, to an area a few miles south of Whitehorse called hidden lakes. On arrival we all had to set up our sleeping system (in my case a tent as I don't want to weather a storm in a bivi bag), light our stoves and make a fire. Good training and good to get out and stretch the legs. It was a still night and at -15C still mild for February. The river had open water in the faster flowing areas and was a joy to wanders along side with the head torches off.... easy when its a 2 hr outing and then back to the hotel bar....

Saturday 2nd Feb.
 

The final trail briefing was followed by a final shopping trip for supplies and more trail food. We were handed our Spot devices which will allow the organisers and anyone online to follow our progress: http://trackleaders.com/yukonultra13

We watched the start of the Yukon Quest dog sled race which travels the 1000 miles to Fairbanks.

If I am half as keen as the dogs at the same start line tomorrow I'll be in a good place. It was taking

12 people to hold them steady at the start.

Drop bags were handed in and a race dinner was followed by a final shandy. 12 hours to race start

and looking forward to it. You can follow progress at the above link and I hope to find a couple of

places to update this blog on route.