Back in Alta

At 01.58 last night, Espen arrived in Alta. Look here to see a photo from the finishing line:
http://www.finnmarkslopet.no/article.jsp?id=4602

Last leg on this years Finnmarksløp!

In the next hours Espen will reach the finishing line in Alta! He has now 7 dogs in his team. Kaos was dropped off in Karasjok as she was very stiff. I guess all dogs, the musher and the handlers are looking forward to a good night's sleep. And we are looking forward to get them home again on Sunday!

On the Tana river

Espen is now on his way to Karasjok. He rested for almost 8 h in Sirmba and had the second fastest leg time to Levajokk 2 (4.19)! Resting in the sun do good for tired dogs :)! He had a short stop in Levajokk were he dropped off Elton due to a wound shoulder and continued with 8 dogs. The 89 km between Levajokk and Karasjok is on the Tana river, so this may be cold night for Mr Prestbakmo. Last night it reached 40 below!

Sun in Sirbma

While the mushers in the front are rushing towards Alta and the finishing line, Espen and his team (dogs and handlers) are resting in the sun in Sirbma, preparing for the next leg and for the coming cold night (-40?) on Tana River.

Kirkenes-Neiden-Varangerbotn

Espen just left Neiden II after 5.5 h rest. He is very pleased with the team and he continues with 11 dogs towards Varangerbotn. Kaifa, the youngest dog in the team was dropped off at Neiden I since she was a bit thin and didn't have any appetite. Wilma was taken out of the race in Neiden II as she was tired and had a wound ankle. All the others are well and Bård who was tired in Kirkenes had rested in the sled on their way to Neiden II.

Kari- the mini husky

Kari has been resting for a while in the sled on their way to Kirkenes. And that is fair- you should have some previledges when you are the smallest dog in the team (15 kg). Espen and the dogs are expect to arrive in Kirkenes around 6 or 7 p.m!

Neiden

Espen is now having his 16h mandatory rest. He is taking it in Neiden. Coming in here this afternoon he was wery happy whit his team so far. They have been working very good all the way. But coming in here they were tired. He hope that the rest will get them fresh again. Right now Espen is sleeping. He has put up a tent that he and the dogs are resting in together. Hopefully it is not to cold there, outside it is now -30c.
He think that he will drop Kaifa before going on to kirkenes to morrow morning at 0600. That mean he is going whit 12 dogs.