YQ: The Black Team - In and Out of Central

At 12.59pm this afternoon Allen and the Black Team rolled into Central and they have just left, still with 13 dogs on the line. Reports said that he would "stick around for a while" and that proved to be correct with them staying a little over four hours.

Bridgett said the dogs looked good coming into the checkpoint and were still peppy but they enjoyed their break there. The Quest Facebook page has a good video of the team arriving and some great pics.

Allen took off the back part of his sled in a bid to shed weight for the climbs over Eagle Summit and Rosebud Mountain. This part of the race is when he will start to travel lighter - the checkpoints are closer together and he will carry only what is necessary and what is prudent for a trip up and over a mountain.

At the checkpoint he grabbed a bite to eat and managed some sleep himself before starting his leaving routine. Part of that routine is to ensure his hands and feet are warm (right).

Just before they left the team did a group howl! He has Quito in single lead for the climb and Izzy was loping! Let's go!

The run from Circle to Mile 101 has a large, steep hill to go over - the famous Eagle Summit! From Central checkpoint they will climb 2,750 feet (from 935ft to 3,685) in the space of about 25 miles. Mile 101 checkpoint is about 33 miles from Central.

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