As The Weather Turns

I am Googling all the gear available for -72 conditions and for some reason cannot find a good combination for such elements. 
Perhaps it is because NOTHING EXISTS!

As a result, several participants in the Iditarod Invitational have scratched.  You simply cannot risk your life for the glory.
Aaron and his partner Jon Orban have called it a day.  Rightfully so, given their professional lives and responsibilities.  To take to the trail or wait out the storm would prove detrimental both personally and professionally. 

The effects of even the slightest exposure to the temperatures being seen right now are scary.  From almost instant frostbite to permanent lung conditions and ultimately death.  Humans are just not made for that kind of fun...well, except the last few that are out there right now. 
As of this writing, 3 more have left for the final trek to McGrath and in between page refreshes, one other has arrived at CP 6.  If I am making sense of the checkout times there are still about 13 people on the trail.  I believe there are a few that have turned back according to the updates.  In any event, the good weather is gone for now and the real face of the Iditarod Invitational is showing its face.

In the meantime, I will watch as the race continues and look forward to Aaron's informative phone call.

If you get to a computer Aaron, lets go to Busiek this weekend!