2001 Copper Basin 300

The Copper Basin 300 is our local Dog Sled race and is also a qualifying race for the 1000-mine Iditarod. We followed Helio's friend and co-worker Bruno Baueris, who finished 12th two years ago. Unfortunately, this year, along with many others (including our neighbor down the street, Fred E. Heinz), Bruno didn't complete the race.


Checkpoint 3: Chistochina
 We missed the start at the ball park in Glennallen as we had just returned from Hawaii the night before. No pictures were taken at the first checkpoint (Gakona lodge, 1/2 mile down the road), but the second checkpoint (Chistochina, 28 miles down the Tok Cutoff) was reached at about 7pm. The pictures taken include:

Bruno and Kevin just after Bruno arrived at the checkpoint.

Emily ready to help out.

Helio chats with AnnMarie about her husband's progress so far.

Thomas takes a rest after helping out his dad.

Sled dog sign we passed on our way home.

Checkpoint 4: Water's Edge (Summit Lake)
 The next morning we caught up with the team at the Summit Lake (Water's Edge) checkpoint. Pictures taken here include:

The vet checking out one of the dogs.

John Strang, the bartender at the Trapper's Den (part of Gakona Lodge), voulunteering.

Danny cools himself off.

Thomas (in the middle) and AnnMarie chat about the dogs.

Many teams rest in one area.

One of the dogs contemplates continuing while the dog next to it rests.

A short time later another team takes off.

AnnMarie, Kevin, and Bruno discuss supplies.

Helio carries Danny in the backpack and holds Gaby while Leslie pets dogs and takes photos.

Before returning to the car we have a family photo taken.

Beyond Checkpoint 4: Paxson Lake and Meiers Lake (checkpoint 5)
 It seems that Gakona is a good central location for the Copper Basin 300 (mile) race as we passed several teams on our way to and back from Summit Lake.

Paxson Lake and the tranquil background.

Martin Buser (former CB300 and Iditarod champion) stops at Meiers Lake. This year he placed 9th.

Musher Cim Smyth takes off from Meiers Lake. This year he placed 7th.