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Coming in to Ambler we were met with a north wind and temperatures at about 30 degrees. Along the trail, this means a cross-wind for the dog teams for much of the run. The first teams arrived with Buser in the the lead and Gebhardt 15 minutes behind him. Local people in Ambler are familiar with dog teams and dog races so the energy and excitement was contagious.

People waited patiently for the rest of the teams and were especially enthusastic when female musher, Melanie Gould, came next. Clara Lee and her daughters had a gift - red fox hat - waiting for Gould who was surprised to be getting a prize. She said, 'But I haven't done anything yet!" To which she got the response, "You're the first woman to arrive here." The hat fit perfectly as did the beaver hat won by Martin Buser for being the first musher in to Ambler also made by famous seamstress and birch basket maker, Clara Lee, and her daughters. Both Gould and Buser have been wearing their new hats since being presented with them. The Kobuk 440 is reknowned for special, handmade gifts, which are greatly appreciated by the mushers. This year was no exception.

Ed Iten led the next pack of teams and was followed by  Louis Nelson, Sr., Jerry Riley, and Lance Mackey who were close on his heels.

With the dog care and feeding chores done, the mushers are invited to feast on plenty of choices of homecooked foods with fresh fish, caribou, and hot baked rolls at the checkpoint. A typical rest is 6 hours for this first visit to Ambler then the teams will make their way up the Kobuk River to the furthest point along the trail which is the village of Kobuk with a stop through Shungnak, twice, before heading back to Ambler. This picturesque village is a critical point along the trail and the local people outdid themselves as hosts. When Buser called Clara Lee on the VHF radio to thank her for his gift, he said, "Thank you very much and maybe I'll see you later. I'll be back in a few hours."

A race requirement is to have a total of 20 hours layover, total, for the race. Its up to the mushers to determine where along the trail they will take the rest. Ambler is often chosen at both ends of the trip to be the place of rest. The front teams are now starting to spread out and the race is proving to be fast, competitive, and exciting. While the sun beats down on the snow and ice with an intensity, its not unusual to see spectators napping on their snowmachine or leaning against the bales of straw lined on the deck of the community building which serves as a checkpoint the Kobuk 440.

Even with the relaxed mood, the top mushers make their preparations methodically, and spectators watch each move closely. Local dog mushers here are saying the teams to watch are Buser, Gebhardt, and Mackey. We'll see how it all plays out as its still early in the race!

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