Appalachian Extreme Adventure Race 2005

---

Picture Perfect Morning - 8am

Tracyn Thayer / 21.05.2005

Like little worker bees teams hauled gear to their support vehicles in the wee morning hours. Many teams \"from away\" (as we say here in Maine) seemed to be surprised by the nearly full daylight of the 4:45AM lineup to caravan from the Snow Cap Inn to Canaan, Vermont and the START. The hour and a half drive took teams through beautiful scenery, including Dixville Notch, NH, where teams got a preview of the rappel. For some teams this will be the only view they have, as many teams will arrive Saturday night, and only see the rock in front of them by the light of their headlamps.

As the sky transformed from pink to orange to red to crystal clear blue, the sun rose above the horizon, and the adventure racing Gods seem to be smiling down. We couldn\'t have asked for a more picturesque start - it could have been a bit warmer, however, but we didn\'t hear anyone complaining. Team Eastern Mountain Sports claimed to have seen 5 moose during their drive, and many other teams reported seeing one or two.

Curious local onlookers watched as the teams organized their canoes and gear for the short portage down a steep grassy slope to a non-uniform riverbank, and the put-in for the 26 mile paddle to North Stratford, NH.

After making a few announcements, Race Director Norm Greenberg counted down from 10, and the race began at 8AM Sharp. Teams scurried down the slope, and all seemed to have a different \'route\' to the water. It was only a few moments until the START was quiet, and the racers were out of site. The 2005 APpalachian Extreme is underway.

But, wait a minute, there are clouds beginning to build in the sky... ..
See All Event Posts