UP200 2009 Edition

The Show went on as usual and u nder conditions that were easier to take than some years.  Highlights included

 

Well, yes it was -3 degrees - but that is 17 degrees warmer than last year. We can handle it!
It takes plenty of paper to track them dogs, sleds and drivers!
 

Peggy and Marge, KD8AIL comparing notes at shift change. Peggy's a nurse, and was on the lookout for one driver with a medical condition.

 
 

Andy, KB8PPE, finishing the tracking sheet for the sled just coming in. Peggy was spotting for him, he was logging and calling in to HQ. Sometimes there are multiple sleds in process and it can get confusing and hectic.

 

 

Here’s Lyn, KC8GHK putting on her annual cookout at the Welcome Center on US-41 just north of Harvey.  She’s goes into mission mode every year and puts out an impressive spread for tourists and race fans as they watch the sleds go by.  Is that a smile of satisfaction, or what?

 

source: HARA
And the blizzard-like conditions continued into the night…..

 

 

 

Source: HARA

The dogs were running and the snow was flying – near whiteout conditions were reported from several stations during the event.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source: Hara

 

 The sweep/trails team play a vital role in following the last sled from point to point to be sure there’s nobody stuck out on the trail.  Many sweepers are ham radio equipped but they can’t hear the radios when they are running so they have to stop every now and then to check in and report progress.

 

Source: HARA

 

Rookie Report: Bart, KC7YGQ took the bull by the horns and signed up for event support duty this year for the first time.  He drew a prime assignment at the start of the race – the corner of Washington and Lakeshore Drive.  The sleds have just started, the dogs are in full cry, they’ve just come down a pretty steep 1-block hill and they’re going like crazy.  At that corner they make an impressive, shouting, barking, roostertailing hard right to get on the trail and it’s as exciting as heck.  He also pulled a shift at the finish line – the crowd there is really excited.  He found himself elevated to “status” by simply putting on the orange vest – people gave him room, asked him a lot of questions, made the evening great fun.  Right on, Bart!