Back to the outdoor shop to collect some Teflon skids to add to the sled then to the hardware store to get the bolts and drill bits to assemble them to the sled.
Got a taxi the mile down to the ‘race village’ and ‘checked in’. The heated tents are great with a wooden floor and camp beds. Pete joined me for a run out on the ice during the afternoon. We headed out for pizza and an early night.
Tuesday 17th March
Woke to machines outside clearing snow off the roads and the ‘side walk’ after a great nights sleep. Following a visit to ‘Overland’ to buy liquid fuel for the stove I got geared up and dragged a fully laden sled out through reception and down to the ‘under construction’ race village on the lake.
I took some advice from one of the volunteers building the tents and set off for a training run. The scenery was amazing. The temperature was around -20C with a light cold wind. I headed North and followed the trail that we would use at the start of day one of the race.
The kit held up well after some minor adjustments. I needed to use the snow shoes after a mile as the going became softer under foot, the snow shoes are designed for running and I was able to maintain a comfortable running pace. The route took me off the lake and through a series of ‘portages’ which are connecting tracks between the series of lakes.
I turned back after about 6 miles and headed home, the MP3 providing a helping hand.
A really good day out, the weather was great and I was able test the clothes layering system. At -16C (ish) in a fair breeze I was OK in only merino wool thermals and a set of windbreakers (pertex top and leggings, similar to very thin nylon), I did need 2 sets of gloves, lightweight hat, face-mask and glasses / goggles. Overcome some fears regarding the cold, can now focus on understanding the minimum of kit I should take.
Met up with Pete and Josh from down under, Pete is also doing the 6 day’er and Josh is his photographer! We headed out to the ‘Black Night’ pub for Paddys day for a food and a few beers. Scott (race organiser) and a few of the locals came out too and a good night was had.
Monday 16th March
Met at Yellowknife airport at 10pm by the race organiser Scott Smith who kindly gave me a lift to the Chateau Nova hotel where I’ll be spending the first two nights of my stay before moving to the Race Village on the Ice.
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