Facebook post from Silver Ace Sled Dog Kennel: Matt and these amazing dogs are running through the highest elevation of the entire race! Rainy Pass. Known for its wind, I am anxious to hear how it is now. I was able to receive a text from Matt just minutes ago as he navigates the pass and it brought me to want to post now. He took the time to expose his fingers to message me because my Ghost is leading him through the pass. A pound puppy, a foster fail, she is phenomenal. Ghost, I adopted before Matt and I were one kennel. She owns a part of my soul. An amazing women, Carol Kleckner introduced her to me through her incredible program of Second Chance League over 5 years ago. A program to help move sled dogs out of the pound, she did amazing work and brought my Ghost to me and now Matt- leading through the pass. Ghost was given to me with 2 collars and 2 leashes on with the words "if she gets away, she's never coming back, hold tight". Nervous and afraid was an understatement for how Ghost acted. Terrified of humans. I worked with her on end inside, trying to find a space on the couch or a room she could find comfort, she hated it. Wild golden eyes followed me as her white shape darted across the room. Well, I thought, maybe she would rather the company of dogs.
Gave her a space in the dog yard and she absolutely came alive. Somehow simultaneously playing with all four of her neighbors at once. The heart of the party. Ok, outside it is I thought. Let's try the trail. I started taking her on walks and the flip was as immediate as was possible. She loved the trail. Finding what was around the next corner, what sounds she could catch for herself. She started hoping up on my leg when I would squat down near her. It felt like she wanted to share the trail with me, adding in physical connection as well as our emotional connect over the love of the outdoors. Ok, let's try team. Oh boy she practically dug a trench as she ran, powering in so hard and fast. Let's try loose time. She ate it all up. She wasn't glued to me outside, proving her comfort in our space but would constantly check in. Running back to me just to say hi, four times as many times as the other playing dogs. My friend now. We had something special already. One cold evening out running dogs with her in the back of the team, I thought... why not, I'm going to put her in lead. And now... my baby girl is leading my other half through Rainy Pass in the Iditarod amongst her last years 2nd place teammates. My Ghost, what a champion you are! (P.S. she now LOVES the couch inside too. Flip back to a post a couple days before Iditarod of her and Stevie cuddling on the couch)
Next up for the team after the pass is the Dalzell Gorge. The heart of adrenaline in the Iditarod many musher would say-including Matt, is the Gorge. Once again, official trail descriptions have used the word "nightmare ". Just like the steps, this is all in reference to sled driving. Glare ice, open water, snow bridges and tight canyon running around obstacles. A strong backbone, a good lead dog, more then a couple butterflies throwing up themselves in your stomach and your in Rohn! A tremendous accomplishment rolling into that checkpoint. Proud mushers and prouder dog teams! I can't wait to hear from Matt and the other mushers how it goes! I want to end tonight's post for Will and Shawn of ATAO Kennel. They saved my teams and my butt this evening from a monster moose out on the trail. After a stand off with me in front of the team, trying to make my 5'2" frame look like something it's not and a monster moose staring us down, deciding if we were worth the trouble. I had the seconds to pull out my phone and type in their number. It rang once, no joke. Will and Shawn were there in seconds, prepared to do it all for me and my team. Thankfully the moose decided on her own that we were indeed not worth the trouble and trotted off. Now those are real Alaskan neighbors and friends. I couldn't be more thankful. Photo of me and Ghost
Photo of a woman in a red parka and hat, holding a white dog in harness
Thought the #uglydogs who aren't on Facebook would enjoy this post written by Elke, Matt Hall's wife. (Also shout out to @ataokennel.bsky.social and @goggdog42.bsky.social )
