As Iditarod 44 enters its final days — and its lead competitors traverse the checkpoints along the Norton Sound coast — here’s a Sunday-night sampler of images from trail reporters Emily Schwing (KNOM) and Zachariah Hughes (KSKA/Alaska Public Media).
From Emily, Sunday evening images from Koyuk:
The Seavey sleds pulled up next to each other in Koyuk Sunday night. Photo: Emily Schwing, KNOM. (Original image: Instagram)Dallas Seavey (left) and Mitch (right) embrace and share a few words before departing Koyuk. Photo: Emily Schwing, KNOM. (Original image: Instagram)In Koyuk, Dallas Seavey (front) moves dogs around as father Mitch (back right) looks over his son’s team. The two are battling to the finish in Iditarod 2016. Photo: Emily Schwing, KNOM. (Original image: Instagram)
From Zach, images from Nulato through Unalakleet:
A prop plane in Nulato. Photo: Zachariah Hughes, KSKA/Alaska Public Media.
Mushers racing between Nulato and Kaltag checkpoints. Photo: Zachariah Hughes, KSKA/Alaska Public Media.
Inside a small bush plane, traveling between checkpoints on the Iditarod trail, Sunday. Photo: Zachariah Hughes, KSKA/Alaska Public Media.
Jessie Royer arriving in Unalakleet on Sunday. Photo: Zachariah Hughes, KSKA/Alaska Public Media.
Jessie Royer looks for drop bags upon arriving in Unalakleet. She departs almost immediately afterwards. Photo: Zachariah Hughes, KSKA/Alaska Public Media.
Ray Redington, Jr., leaving Unalakleet on Sunday afternoon, wearing a beautiful, sealskin cap as he heads north, up the Norton Sound coast. Photo: Zachariah Hughes, KSKA/Alaska Public Media.
In Unalakleet, Kelly Maixner gets ready to leave after a few hours’ rest in the checkpoint. Photo: Zachariah Hughes, KSKA/Alaska Public Media.
In Unalakleet, Kelly Maixner affectionately booties a sleepy sled dog before leaving for Shaktoolik. Photo: Zachariah Hughes, KSKA/Alaska Public Media.
