11-26-08
Paxson, AK
After a warm front and a new snow fall, there is always WIND.
The wind is howling like hell on wheels here in Paxson. Gusts up to 65-70 mph. The wind shakes & rattles the house. The trail in front of our kennel has been wiped clean of any trace. It could last 1-3 days. 7F at present, but this too may change. Colder temperatures are in the forecast. They are calling for -30's race weekend. Sections of the race trail may blow in due to the wind storm however the lead snow machines will be ahead of the mushers by at least an hour covering the trail once again and mushers will have trail markers to help guide the way. Those markers become your lifeline out there when racing.
Wind------------13 mile hill on the Denali is a tough place to have wind with a team, there's no cover on top of the summit and teams have been blown off the Denali. Last year coming back on that last leg of the Gin Gin 200 to the Finish line, we had a heck of a time fighting our way through a little wind storm with gusts up to 45 mph. I could barely see the headlamp of Jodi Bailey in front and more times than not, I could hardly see my leaders Sebe and Bridle. We were literally being pushed off the highway by the incredible wind. This lasted for me, 11 miles. A long 11 miles. Wind can be unforgiving, you just do your best to get your team through it as fast and safe as possible.
The river trail is in the open, again with no cover from wind.
Most mushers and race officials will be traveling all day today to get here--several hours from their home to ours. Between heavy snow fall, wind and abundant moose....we are asking everyone to drive slow and take good care. Call race headquarters if there's any problems at all.
The 4th running of the Gin Gin 200 begins tomorrow at 11am, Paxson Lodge.
Men will start at noon sharp.
You may email or phone for updates anytime during race weekend.
Zoya
race director
907-347-9013
Friday, December 26, 2008
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Dropped Dog pick up
Mushers,
Dropped dogs will be cared for by Gin Gin race staff in Paxson, there will be 2 designated trucks near the Lodge. Please leave dog food with the dropped dog at Maclaren and special care instructions if any are needed.
Your dropped dog must be paid for at time of pickup in Paxson. Cash or check.
GG200
Dropped dogs will be cared for by Gin Gin race staff in Paxson, there will be 2 designated trucks near the Lodge. Please leave dog food with the dropped dog at Maclaren and special care instructions if any are needed.
Your dropped dog must be paid for at time of pickup in Paxson. Cash or check.
GG200
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Gin
Gin Gin 200 Trail Report---December 23, 2008.
As soon as you arrive check-in for your parking slot.
Race start is 11:00 am, Saturday, Dec. 27th. following the 8:00 am mushers meeting. Women's division starts first in 2 minute intervals. We will break 1/2 hour, then start the Men.
Teams will be brought to the start line with snowmobile support.
Race Director: Zoya DeNure
Head Veterinarian: Jeanne Olson
Race Marshall: Theresa Daily
Judges: John Schandelmeier, Zoya DeNure
Trail/Logistics: John Schandelmeier
The Gin Gin trail leaves Paxson and follows the Denali Highway until Milepost 30.. Expect windy conditions from milepost 7-20. There is wind-pack and a bit of asphalt showing in spots from Mile 9-Mile 15. However, there is good snow to travel on and plenty to hook down everywhere. Follow the highway signs! Moose at 26 mile that like the trail. Teams will depart the Denali on the mountain loop at mile 30.8---turn right at the (pink) markers. You are in open country with the potential for drifting. Deep snow off the trail and overflow in spots. There is potential for punchy trail for later teams. We had to snowshoe some of this. It is 19 miles to the first checkpoint at Maclaren River. The halfway point of this loop is midway thru a large lake. (7 Mile Lake). You are back on the Denali at Milepost 40---2 miles from the checkpoint. When you reach Maclaren---do not cross the bridge; turn right at the markers and check-in under the bridge, you will be directed to parking. You have a 6-hour lay-over plus time differential.
Teams depart Maclaren down the Maclaren. It will be 110 miles before you see another checkpoint. 20 miles down the Maclaren you will begin into the Maclaren canyon. Ice bridges and a short section of trail though a slough with a bit of brush. There is a cabin 25 miles down--the trail goes by this cabin, but there is open water in front of it so you would have to walk around the open lead to get to it. However, it is available in an emergency. Several miles below the cabin you will begin into a jumble ice area. Watch for moose. We did back sloughs where-ever possible and pulled a drag, but watch for cracks and sled getters...... About 6 miles of rougher ice. The Maclaren runs out at 45 mile. Turn right, (North), up the Susitna River. Absolutely perfect going. 10 miles up the Sue, a short halfway thru this run, is a pile of firewood for your heating enjoyment..... Another 23-24 miles gets you back to the Denali Highway-- approximately 8 miles below the Denali Highway bridge you may begin to encounter windblown areas with drifting and overflow. At the Denali, go under the bridge, take an immediate right up the boat ramp onto the Denali---37 miles to Maclaren. You are at milepost 79, Denali Highway.
From this point to Milepost 60 you will encounter as many moose as you will ever see on a dogrun. The snow is good, but not so deep that they tend to challenge for the trail. Use caution and give them room if you can. The trail on the Denali is well-packed and fast. You leave the timber at Mile 65 and are back in the open all of the way to Maclaren. Approximately 1/2 mile before Maclaren you will turn off of the Denali to the right---this takes you back down to the river and parking for your 2nd 6-hour lay-over.
Final 42 miles is down the Denali back to Paxson.
The weather forecast for the Gin Gin weekend is; cloudy with light snow--daytime temperatures-0-minus 15, Night temps. minus 15-30. Expect it warmer in the high areas, colder at the Sue and lower Maclaren.
Watch for snowmobile traffic on the Denali; flash your headlamp at approaching machines and at those coming up behind you.
We need one more handler for the dropped dog area in Paxson; if you are interested please e-mail.
John Schandelmeier
As soon as you arrive check-in for your parking slot.
Race start is 11:00 am, Saturday, Dec. 27th. following the 8:00 am mushers meeting. Women's division starts first in 2 minute intervals. We will break 1/2 hour, then start the Men.
Teams will be brought to the start line with snowmobile support.
Race Director: Zoya DeNure
Head Veterinarian: Jeanne Olson
Race Marshall: Theresa Daily
Judges: John Schandelmeier, Zoya DeNure
Trail/Logistics: John Schandelmeier
The Gin Gin trail leaves Paxson and follows the Denali Highway until Milepost 30.. Expect windy conditions from milepost 7-20. There is wind-pack and a bit of asphalt showing in spots from Mile 9-Mile 15. However, there is good snow to travel on and plenty to hook down everywhere. Follow the highway signs! Moose at 26 mile that like the trail. Teams will depart the Denali on the mountain loop at mile 30.8---turn right at the (pink) markers. You are in open country with the potential for drifting. Deep snow off the trail and overflow in spots. There is potential for punchy trail for later teams. We had to snowshoe some of this. It is 19 miles to the first checkpoint at Maclaren River. The halfway point of this loop is midway thru a large lake. (7 Mile Lake). You are back on the Denali at Milepost 40---2 miles from the checkpoint. When you reach Maclaren---do not cross the bridge; turn right at the markers and check-in under the bridge, you will be directed to parking. You have a 6-hour lay-over plus time differential.
Teams depart Maclaren down the Maclaren. It will be 110 miles before you see another checkpoint. 20 miles down the Maclaren you will begin into the Maclaren canyon. Ice bridges and a short section of trail though a slough with a bit of brush. There is a cabin 25 miles down--the trail goes by this cabin, but there is open water in front of it so you would have to walk around the open lead to get to it. However, it is available in an emergency. Several miles below the cabin you will begin into a jumble ice area. Watch for moose. We did back sloughs where-ever possible and pulled a drag, but watch for cracks and sled getters...... About 6 miles of rougher ice. The Maclaren runs out at 45 mile. Turn right, (North), up the Susitna River. Absolutely perfect going. 10 miles up the Sue, a short halfway thru this run, is a pile of firewood for your heating enjoyment..... Another 23-24 miles gets you back to the Denali Highway-- approximately 8 miles below the Denali Highway bridge you may begin to encounter windblown areas with drifting and overflow. At the Denali, go under the bridge, take an immediate right up the boat ramp onto the Denali---37 miles to Maclaren. You are at milepost 79, Denali Highway.
From this point to Milepost 60 you will encounter as many moose as you will ever see on a dogrun. The snow is good, but not so deep that they tend to challenge for the trail. Use caution and give them room if you can. The trail on the Denali is well-packed and fast. You leave the timber at Mile 65 and are back in the open all of the way to Maclaren. Approximately 1/2 mile before Maclaren you will turn off of the Denali to the right---this takes you back down to the river and parking for your 2nd 6-hour lay-over.
Final 42 miles is down the Denali back to Paxson.
The weather forecast for the Gin Gin weekend is; cloudy with light snow--daytime temperatures-0-minus 15, Night temps. minus 15-30. Expect it warmer in the high areas, colder at the Sue and lower Maclaren.
Watch for snowmobile traffic on the Denali; flash your headlamp at approaching machines and at those coming up behind you.
We need one more handler for the dropped dog area in Paxson; if you are interested please e-mail.
John Schandelmeier
Thursday, December 18, 2008
2008 GIN GIN 200 RACE POSTERS
You can order Gin Gin 2008 race Posters today!Unsigned Posters Available now! $ 8.00
Signed posters $10.00
Proceeds go to the GIN GIN 200 race organization!
email zdenure@yahoo.com
Phone: 907-347-9013
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Musher parking, Maclaren checkpoint, etc
Mushers,
Paxson Lodge has a few rooms left at this time, call 907-822-3330 to reserve your room if you plan to arrive the night before. They have electrical hook-up's for 27 campers, motor homes, etc.
Parking will be tight! Teams will have assigned parking---check in when you arrive at Paxson for your parking number. Teams depart in order of sign up--look at website list and check again in Paxson- I will have it posted on a bulletin board at Paxson Lodge.
Zoya/John will be in Paxson on the 26th from 6-10:00pm
Race official mtg. to be held in the dining room of Paxson Lodge--TBA
Mushers, please check in when you arrive.
IF you have two teams on the same truck and or pulling a trailer and need more room, please make sure to let Zoya/John know.
The 1st 6 hr layover at Maclaren will be hectic--it is only 50 miles--sleeping arrangements will be crowded. Dogs will be restless, plan accordingly. Maclaren is a full service lodge, you are responsible for your own food at Maclaren. Maclaren will likely have hot water available, cold water for sure. Gin Gin 200 will provide mushers with 1/2 bale of straw--mushers will have the option to park in same place on 2nd layover--we'll touch on this at the drivers mtg.
Snow conditions are EXCELLENT with over 3 1/2 feet on the ground.
Stand by for trail pictures on this website to be posted by weekend.
zd
Paxson Lodge has a few rooms left at this time, call 907-822-3330 to reserve your room if you plan to arrive the night before. They have electrical hook-up's for 27 campers, motor homes, etc.
Parking will be tight! Teams will have assigned parking---check in when you arrive at Paxson for your parking number. Teams depart in order of sign up--look at website list and check again in Paxson- I will have it posted on a bulletin board at Paxson Lodge.
Zoya/John will be in Paxson on the 26th from 6-10:00pm
Race official mtg. to be held in the dining room of Paxson Lodge--TBA
Mushers, please check in when you arrive.
IF you have two teams on the same truck and or pulling a trailer and need more room, please make sure to let Zoya/John know.
The 1st 6 hr layover at Maclaren will be hectic--it is only 50 miles--sleeping arrangements will be crowded. Dogs will be restless, plan accordingly. Maclaren is a full service lodge, you are responsible for your own food at Maclaren. Maclaren will likely have hot water available, cold water for sure. Gin Gin 200 will provide mushers with 1/2 bale of straw--mushers will have the option to park in same place on 2nd layover--we'll touch on this at the drivers mtg.
Snow conditions are EXCELLENT with over 3 1/2 feet on the ground.
Stand by for trail pictures on this website to be posted by weekend.
zd
Friday, December 12, 2008
Team Limit lifts to 55
Mushers,
This is a nice shot of the Gin Gin 200 mountain loop at mp 30 on the Denali Highway. After you travel 30 miles of the first leg, you'll take a nice gee onto this section for 19 miles. A fun & scenic trail!
We're lifting the team limit to 55 for this years Gin Gin 200. As of today, we're up to 51 mushers. Please send in your signed forms and correct entry fee (check the late deadline fee) and send me an email zdenure@yahoo.com asap if you want to be on the list. We will have a waiting list if we reach 55.
Any questions, please give a call and I will return your message as soon as possible.
907-347-9013
Check back soon for some exciting GG200 News updates, Race Official positions, parking & accomodations in Paxson for the start of race, current weather, trail reports and pictures.
Safe & Speedy trails to all,
Any questions, please give a call and I will return your message as soon as possible.
907-347-9013
Check back soon for some exciting GG200 News updates, Race Official positions, parking & accomodations in Paxson for the start of race, current weather, trail reports and pictures.
Safe & Speedy trails to all,
Zoya DeNure
Crazy Dog Kennel
Paxson, AK
Crazy Dog Kennel
Paxson, AK
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