Quest releases rescue timeline
Editor’s note: Yukon Quest officials released detailed information Thursday about their response during a winter storm that stranded nine mushers participating in both the 1,000-mile Quest and the Quest 300 qualifier on Eagle and Rosebud summits. The entire release follows.
FACTS SHEET
1. Sunday, Feb. 12; a.m.—Storm advisory communicated by Hamm operators to all checkpoints. Storm advisory posted at Mile 101 dog drop. Area of advisory included Angel Creek checkpoint to Eagle checkpoint. Advisory predicted blowing snow with winds 30-35 mph, beginning approximately 6 p.m., continuing until approximately 12 p.m., Monday, Feb. 13.
2. Sunday, Feb. 12; p.m.—First mushers (YQ) arriving between 5:30p.m. and 6:30p.m. in Central report rough trail conditions and high winds on Eagle Summit.
3. Sunday, Feb. 12; p.m.—Yuka Honda, Saul Turner, Phil Joy, Jennifer Cochran (YQ) leave Mile 101 dog drop between 5:50p.m. and 7:10 p.m.
4. Sunday, Feb. 12; p.m.—Wayne Hall (YQ) arrives in Central Checkpoint after leaving Mile 101 dog drop at 5:18 p.m., reporting whiteout conditions on Eagle Summit.
5. Sunday, Feb. 13, a.m.—Kiara Adams leaves Mile 101 at 6:30a.m. Jodi Rozmyn leaves Mile 101 at 6:20a.m.
6. Monday, Feb. 13; 7:15 a.m.—Randy Chappel (YQ 300) arrives in Central checkpoint without dog team. Brent Sass (YQ 300) and Regina Wycoff (YQ) transported Randy Chappel (YQ 300) down Eagle Summit. Mushers report not seeing any other teams since departing Mile 101, after almost 12 hours of travel time.
7. Monday, Feb. 13; 11:35 a.m.—Race marshal initiates ground search (by snowmachine) and Yukon Quest air force to search areas around Central, Mile 101 and Angel Creek to locate all dog teams on trail.
8. Monday, Feb. 13; p.m.—Roland Waldispuehl (YQ 300), Bob McAlpin (YQ 300), Rocky Demers (YQ 300) arrive in Central checkpoint reporting poor visibility on Eagle Summit. Mushers report seeing no other teams on Eagle Summit.
9. Monday, Feb. 13; p.m.—Ground search personnel return to Central checkpoint, unable to reach search area due to snow drifts and zero visibility. Yukon Quest air force pilots could not reach search area due to storm conditions.
10. Monday, Feb. 13; p.m.—Alaskan Air Guard and Alaska State Troopers contacted to conduct air search between Angel Creek and Central Checkpoints.
11. Monday, Feb. 13; p.m.—Six mushers and seven dog teams between Mile 101 and Central checkpoint located by air search personnel. All dog teams between Angel Creek and Mile 101 located by air search personnel. Air search personnel report three mushers (YQ 300) with ground search snowmachines on site.
12. Capability of the musher and supplies for dog teams assessed by race official onboard helicopter.
13. The following dog teams were airlifted to Mile 101 from Eagle Summit area, by helicopter.
• Randy Chappel’s dog tea.m. (YQ 300)
• Saul Turner (YQ)
• Yuka Honda (YQ)
• Phil Joy (YQ)
• Kiara Adams (YQ)
• Jennifer Cochran (YQ)
• Jodi Rozmyn (YQ 300)
14. Veterinarians assessed all dog teams.
15. Tuesday, Feb. 14th; Early a.m.—Tammie Rego (YQ 300) arrived in Angel Creek Checkpoint with snowmachine escort, followed by Chester Witczak (YQ 300). Alyssa Quaile (YQ 300) was reported to be on route to Angel Creek checkpoint with snowmachine.
16. Tuesday, Feb. 14th, a.m.—Angel Creek checkpoint called in med-evac for Alyssa Quaile (YQ 300) who could not reach checkpoint with snowmachine escort. Alyssa Quaile was treated in Fairbanks for minor frostbite and a sprained wrist.
17. All mushers and dog teams reported in good condition.