Adam Lindenmuth scratches from Iditarod 54

 

Adam Lindenmuth and team at the Ceremonial Start of Iditarod 54.
March 7, 2026. Anchorage, Alaska.

After doing their best to get to White Mountain for most of the day Thursday, Adam Lindenmuth tapped the SOS button Thursday afternoon asking for assistance into the checkpoint. Iditarod released an official statement on the musher's scratch after he and his team of twelve dogs were safely escorted to the White Mountain checkpointt where he was greeted by many volunteers as they helped to get him and his dogs rested. Both musher and dogs were reportedly in good health.

Lindenmuth was running a solid race and nearly 900 miles in the windstorm hit as he made his way to the former checkpoint of Golovin. The musher rested and then began their journey across Golovin Bay, all seemed to go well, but as winds apparently grew in intensity the GPS tracker showed the team having to stop many times on the sea ice and they crept along for much of the day.

"Rookie Iditarod musher Adam Lindenmuth (bib #2) of Willow, Alaska," the press release said, "scratched from Iditarod 54 today after activating his help button at 4:49 p.m., just miles outside of the White Mountain checkpoint. Race officials on snowmachine helped guide Lindenmuth and his team to the White Mountain checkpoint where he officially scratched at 6:50 p.m. today in the best interest of his team.  Lindenmuth had 12 in harness when he arrived at the checkpoint, all in good health.

The Iditarod Trail Committee recognizes Lindemuth’s remarkable resilience and grit, carrying him nearly 900 miles across the 975-mile trail. His unwavering commitment to putting his dog team first—even so close to the finish—embodies the true spirit of the Iditarod, and we look forward to welcoming him back to the trail in the future."

There has been no movement from White Mountain all day as the race has strongly suggested to the teams currently there to wait the storm out. While they haven't completely halted the race, the back of the pack have seemingly agreed to wait until Friday morning when reports indicate the winds will be back down to their normal strength and not the hulk like strength showcased Thursday.

There are currently nine teams still hoping to make it to Nome.