 By Bill Merchant Marco called in this morning from Greyling as he prepared to pick up his drop from the post office before leaving.He made great time from Anvik covering the 18 miles (30 km) in 6 hour 15 minutes. An amazing time considering he faced 35 mph (50km) headwinds and drifts after nearly 600 miles of rough winter trail. According to reports from Iditarod winds were gusting to 50 mph at times and windchills were -55F. Shelter is all but nonexistent on the river and often the only shelter for a bivouac is a pushed up ice shelf in the lee of the wind. The spindrift will cover you but it beats lying exposed to the full force of the wind which can also be the only option. I expect to hear from Tim and Tom in the next 24 hours. I will post when I hear. | 
