Slideshow

Slide Show: Eagle Cap Extreme's Dog Stars

November 15, 2013

Eagle Cap Extreme 2013: Wednesday, January 23

The day before the race begins, downtown Joseph hums with activity, both human and canine. Locals flood the streets as busloads of schoolkids arrive from neighboring towns to meet the mushers and their teams during “Vet Check.” For the pre-race checkup,

Photography by Courtesy Sol Neelman

Eagle Cap Extreme 2013: Wednesday, January 23

Photography by Courtesy Sol Neelman

Eagle Cap Extreme 2013: Wednesday, January 23

Photography by Courtesy Sol Neelman

Eagle Cap Extreme 2013: Wednesday, January 23

Photography by Courtesy Sol Neelman

Eagle Cap Extreme 2013: Wednesday, January 23

Photography by Courtesy Sol Neelman

Eagle Cap Extreme 2013: Wednesday, January 23

Photography by Courtesy Sol Neelman

Eagle Cap Extreme 2013: Wednesday, January 23

Photography by Courtesy Sol Neelman

Eagle Cap Extreme 2013: Wednesday, January 23

Photography by Courtesy Sol Neelman

Eagle Cap Extreme 2013: Wednesday, January 23

Photography by Courtesy Sol Neelman

Eagle Cap Extreme 2013: Wednesday, January 23

Photography by Courtesy Sol Neelman

Eagle Cap Extreme 2013: Wednesday, January 23

Photography by Courtesy Sol Neelman

Eagle Cap Extreme 2013: Wednesday, January 23

Photography by Courtesy Sol Neelman

Eagle Cap Extreme 2013: Wednesday, January 23

Photography by Courtesy Sol Neelman

Eagle Cap Extreme 2013: Wednesday, January 23

Photography by Courtesy Sol Neelman

Eagle Cap Extreme 2013: Wednesday, January 23

Photography by Courtesy Sol Neelman

Eagle Cap Extreme 2013: Wednesday, January 23

On Wednesday night, mushers and race officials hold a potluck at the Joseph Community Center, or “Race Central.” Trail boss Glenn McDonald walks participants through the course map, providing updates on weather and trail conditions, as mushers draw bib n

Photography by Courtesy Sol Neelman

Eagle Cap Extreme 2013: Wednesday, January 23

Photography by Courtesy Sol Neelman

Eagle Cap Extreme 2013: Wednesday, January 23

Photography by Courtesy Sol Neelman

Eagle Cap Extreme 2013: Wednesday, January 23

Photography by Courtesy Sol Neelman

Eagle Cap Extreme 2013: Wednesday, January 23

Photography by Courtesy Sol Neelman

Eagle Cap Extreme 2013: Thursday, January 24

Race president Randy Greenshields prepares for a long night at the Imnaha Tavern, a layover point 40 minutes outside of Joseph.

Photography by Courtesy Sol Neelman

Eagle Cap Extreme 2013: Thursday, January 24

Photography by Courtesy Sol Neelman

Eagle Cap Extreme 2013: Thursday, January 24

Photography by Courtesy Sol Neelman

Eagle Cap Extreme 2013: Thursday, January 24

Photography by Courtesy Sol Neelman

Eagle Cap Extreme 2013: Thursday, January 24

Photography by Courtesy Sol Neelman

Eagle Cap Extreme 2013: Thursday, January 24

Laura Daugereau traverses the first section of the race: an arduous 600-foot climb up Ferguson Ridge, with the Eagle Cap Wilderness and Chief Joseph Mountain looming in the background. Daugereau won the 2013 Eagle Cap Extreme with her team of 12 Alaskan

Photography by Courtesy Sol Neelman

Eagle Cap Extreme 2013: Thursday, January 24

Photography by Courtesy Sol Neelman

Eagle Cap Extreme 2013: Thursday, January 24

Photography by Courtesy Sol Neelman

Eagle Cap Extreme 2013: Thursday, January 24

Photography by Courtesy Sol Neelman

Eagle Cap Extreme 2013: Thursday, January 24

Photography by Courtesy Sol Neelman

Eagle Cap Extreme 2013: Thursday, January 24

Photography by Courtesy Sol Neelman

Eagle Cap Extreme 2013: Thursday, January 24

Photography by Courtesy Sol Neelman

Eagle Cap Extreme 2013: Thursday, January 24

Photography by Courtesy Sol Neelman

Eagle Cap Extreme 2013: Friday, January 25

After 102 miles, in the dark of Friday night, teams reach Ollokot—a mandatory backcountry checkpoint, accessed by sled and snowmobile only, where each team must rest for six hours. Here, vets check dogs again as their mushers prepare straw beds for them.

Photography by Courtesy Sol Neelman

Eagle Cap Extreme 2013: Friday, January 25

Photography by Courtesy Sol Neelman

Eagle Cap Extreme 2013: Friday, January 25

Photography by Courtesy Sol Neelman

Eagle Cap Extreme 2013: Friday, January 25

Photography by Courtesy Sol Neelman

Eagle Cap Extreme 2013: Friday, January 25

Photography by Courtesy Sol Neelman

Eagle Cap Extreme 2013: Friday, January 25

Photography by Courtesy Sol Neelman

Eagle Cap Extreme 2013: Friday, January 25

Photography by Courtesy Sol Neelman

Eagle Cap Extreme 2013: Friday, January 25

Photography by Courtesy Sol Neelman

Eagle Cap Extreme 2013: Friday, January 25

Photography by Courtesy Sol Neelman

Eagle Cap Extreme 2013: Friday, January 25

75-year-old musher Laura Crocker runs her team of Siberian huskies.

Photography by Courtesy Sol Neelman

Eagle Cap Extreme 2013: Friday, January 25

Photography by Courtesy Sol Neelman

Eagle Cap Extreme 2013: Saturday, January 26

Race director Troy Nave keeps warm as he awaits their arrival.

Photography by Courtesy Sol Neelman

Eagle Cap Extreme 2013: Saturday, January 26

Before the sun rises on Saturday (day three of the race), the lead teams begin to arrive at the finish line, also at Ferguson Ridge.

Photography by Courtesy Sol Neelman

Race champion Laura Daugereau celebrates her victory with the winner of the 100-mile race, Steve Riggs.

Photography by Courtesy Sol Neelman

of

Oregon's answer to the Iditarod drives two- and four-legged racers to the snow-capped Wallowa Mountains for 4 unforgettable days each January. Here's why.

Show Comments