The Wilderness ARC

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Deep Water Crossing

Rob Howard / 01.06.2006

One of the most difficult tasks on this year’s race has been a short deep water crossing at CP27 at Glenfinnan (where last year’s race finished). This was also the cut-off teams had to reach by 20.00 on Thursday if they were to continue on the full course. Those who didn’t get there in time would take one of two short course options.

For several teams this afternoon that was their objective, and as the deadline approached three teams were still to make the crossing. With an hour to go North Downs Mountain Rescue were in the process of making the crossing, which took them more than an hour to complete, and SPAR and Fun Over Talent were queued behind them on the bank.

It was a crossing that was as difficult or simple as teams chose to make it, and it was a certainty all would get very wet and very, very cold. There were two ropes stretched across the river to assist teams and they were given one buoyancy aid and a sling and karabiner and told the bikes had to be attached to a rope while they were pulled across. Three more buoyancy aids were available on the far shore, which was where the Sportident timing box was placed, and all 4 of the team had to check in there before 20.00.

Some took an age deciding what to do, one even conjuring up a plan to rig a Tyrolean Traverse so they could stay dry. It wasn’t a plan that was ever going to work. Others, like leaders Aberdeen Asset Management, just accepted they would get wet and got straight into the river, but they’d come prepared and carried all their kit in dry bags inside their rucksacks anyway.

North Downs Mountain Rescue spent a long time discussing what to do, tried and failed one way and then got a system going. Dave Smith swam over then hauled over the bikes two at a time followed by dry bags with clothing ready for the others to cross. See All Event Posts