IditaProject Forum

Pete and the Team have completed the 2024 Iditarod Trail Race!

It was a cold morning in Nome, Alaska, as Pete and the Team were just on the tails of 8th place Finisher, Amanda Otto to take 9th place in 9 days, 18 hours, 30 minutes, and 50 seconds.

The story, though, is of the trail in from White Mountain early this morning. “I’ve been nervous before” Pete said to a reporter. “But maybe not as nervous as I was this morning…”

Pete left out after Jessie Royer and Amanda Otto last night just before Midnight. As the three approached the “blowhole,” halfway between White Mountain and Nome, they encountered a severe blizzard. Pete said winds were easily 60mph and he and the Team were struggling to see the trail. As Pete and the Team progressed through the storm they came upon Amanda Otto and her Team. Amanda had put out the lead hook and the team was stopped and curled up trying to hunker down. Pete helped Amanda get going and he could also see Jessie Royer who was out off the trail. “I could see her light and just kept using my headlamp to give her something to focus on,” Pete related. Finally Jessie caught up with Pete and Amanda and off they made to keep going with Pete leading them through. They were in the storm for about 2 hours before it calmed down and then they had to climb Cape Nome to finally see the lights of Nome.

“As we were in this storm I kept thinking that “I’ll bet it’s calm in Nome”” Pete said. And sure enough as we had our coffee and leisurely made our way to see Pete and Amanda come by, it was cold– But calm!!

Pete said it was one of the worst storms he had been through in his many years on the trail. “It was really something. A Team stopping out in that stuff would surely have to press the Emergency button on their SPOT tracker,” he said.

And with that, it was a short run down front street into the arms of family and friends. Pete arrived just six minutes after Amanda who was so thankful for his help.

After the dogs were bedded down, we all met together to watch Pete wolf down a monster breakfast made by wife Bethany and her mom, Mae. Little Aylee was so happy to be sitting, eating with Daddy.

For us, just listening to the stories gave us more reason to have such awe for Pete, the Team, and all of the other mushers who annually test their training, strategy, and endurance. For us, it’s purely entertainment. For them, sometimes I just don’t know but to say it is truly an accomplishment and celebration of this great sport.

What a great finish!! Go Team Kaiser!!