Independent Networks Adrenalin Rush
A Monster Course
Rob / 25.05.2003
Giving out the course Brian Elliot said, “We wouldn’t go out of our way to cause you any pain – it just happens!� Then continued, “If I had to give you one piece of advice it’s to look after each other, the race will be over very quickly if you don’t.�As the course details were given out the team’s first reaction was to count the maps. Five 1:50,000 maps were given out, and that covers a very, very big area. Then they spent time Saturday night and on Sunday marking and laminating their maps and getting to grips with what lay ahead. First impressions were that it’s just what was promise; a long, hard course taking teams out into wild and spectacular terrain.
The route is a big loop reaching the mountains of Torridon on the West Coast, before heading south to Kinloch Hourn at the end of the longest dead-end road in the UK, and back up the Great Glen in kayaks. All the paddling is in the final stages, up the Caledonian Canal and Loch Ness, a real sting in the tail which will take the leaders at least 14 hours.
It’s a long way before they even reach the start of the paddling though. Teams set off at dusk (21:00) on foot but soon pick up their bikes for a difficult overnight bike ride, in the middle of which comes a 6km night orienteering stage. This will test how cool headed the teams are in the early stages. At the end of the ride is a 1000m swim which the leaders are expected to tackle around dawn on Monday. Even in wet suits this is a long way in extremely cold water and will take a lot out of the teams.
The next trekking stage is huge, across country towards the mighty Liathach, one of Scotland’s most intimidating summits. On it’s rock faces will be the first rope stage, a jumar teams must compelte before crossing the high summit ridge, one of the highlights of the race, but not for the faint hearted. When they come down they will have the second access to their gear boxes (the swim is the first) at the first Red Bull Stimulation Station.
After travelling south on foot and by bikes on the road comes the second of the big trekking stages. Before crossing the 5 sisters of Kintail, another high ridge overlooking Glen Shiel, comes the 170m abseil stage (PC21) and to get to that is a trek past the Falls of Glomach, which carry more water than almost any other falls in Scotland. It’s a narrow and difficult path which will be marked with glow sticks at night for safety. The sound of the falls in the darkness will be frightening enough without losing the trail.
A feature of the trekking stages is regular descents to sea level and over the whole 375 km course there is 6000m of ascent, crossing 8 Munros (Scottish peaks over 3000 feet high). Wear and tear on their knees and the condition of their feet, especially if it’s wet, will be the racers’ main concern.See All Event Posts
