Howdy all. Roughlocking is indeed the term for wrapping chains or rope around your runners to slow a descent. It works quite well and I've even used it on some of the hills in NH when conditions are slick and steep. At the drivers' meting yesterday we got a pretty good report on Eagle Summit, the most feared drop in all of dog mushing. It sounds like there is sufficient snow to slow the team on the descent, that will be like going over a shorter Tuckerman Ravine with a dogteam. The real challenge and danger sounds like it will actually be before we get to Eagle Summit. The climb over Rosebud Summit, just out of Chena Hot Springs, is reported to have NO SNOW on the way down, just shalely rock for 5 miles of rolling and steep drop. They are actually considering trucking teams around it to the dogdrop at 101 Steese Hgwy depending on what the trail proofers find. We hope to have a decision on that sometime today, before tomorrow's start. The banquet last night was kind of overwhelming, as much of this experience has been! The two founders of the race Leroy Shank and Roger Williams were there as the masters of ceremony as well as many race legends and well wishers. I drew bib number 23, second to last out of the chute. Not where I wanted to be, but hopefully I don't stay there!! Anyway, we want to thank everyone who has helped us get here and we hope to do you all proud. Thanks so much for the support. It means everything to us. -Mike, Sue and TeamTsuga.