Pay attention to the dog numbers as they continue north. Dropping 20% of your dog power is no biggey down south where the temps are warm and the snow is slick. But as you get further north along the trail, that below zero snow turns to sand paper on that runner plastic.
Geeze, some of these mushers were down to 13 dogs 150 miles into the race. Dogs dropped that early are a sign of a few possible weaknesses, but not always. Heck, even switching harnesses can throw a dog off, or even catching a bug from other dogs. Or sometimes a good dog gets up there in age, but the musher doesn't realize the dog is struggling until 200-300 miles into the race.
Best of the best: Jesse Royer rolled into Nome in 5th place 2017 with a full 16 dogs. The amount of skill and care to make that possible, is a major accomplishment.
Dan Kaduce did as well, crossing the finish line with all the dogs he started with, in 4th place back in 2022.
