Raid the North Extreme
Opening Ceremonies Complete in Nelson
News Release / 23.07.2011
July 22, 2011 (Nelson, BC) - The picturesque city of Nelson today played host to more than 120 racers from North America and beyond as they completed a detailed registration process and attended the Opening Ceremonies for the 2011 edition of Atmosphere Raid the North Extreme (RTNX).Atmosphere RTNX, Canada's premiere expedition-style adventure race takes place from July 23 to 31, 2011 in the West Kootenay region of British Columbia. Four-person co-ed teams will face extreme challenges including a rugged wilderness, team dynamics, sleep deprivation and gear failure as they bike, trek, paddle and use ropes to navigate more than 500km of unmarked terrain through the Selkirk, Purcell and Monashee mountains over six non-stop days.
The inherent risk in a race of this nature means teams must bring a high level of skill and endurance to the start line. Atmosphere RTNX designed a comprehensive mandatory registration process-including navigation and rope skills testing, bike and first aid gear checks, medical and insurance paperwork, and more-to ensure that racers have what it takes to safely challenge the course.
"A number of teams were exempt from some of the mandatory skills tests today," said Race Director Geoff Langford, "which really speaks to the caliber of competitors attending this race. It's going to be an exciting week!"
Following registration, teams gathered together for the Opening Ceremonies, which included a welcome from Trail, BC (the finish line location) Mayor Dieter Bog, race staff introductions, and a mesmerizing Cirque de Soleil style demonstration of "acrobatic yoga for adventure racers" by members of Team GearJunkie/YogaSlackers.
Through the course of the Ceremonies, organizers slowly revealed course details, which, until Friday evening, had been kept under wraps. Racers learned they will venture through remote areas of Goat Range and Valhalla Provincial Parks where stunning scenery, higher than normal snowpack, and possible wildlife encounters with grizzlies and mountain caribou await. "Take the time now and again to stop and look at where you are and the awesome area you're competing in," said BC Parks' Hugh Ackroyd. "These are real gems of the Parks system."
To wrap the evening, racers received the much anticipated race maps which they will pour over to build their strategy between now and race start at 10am Sunday, July 24th.
On Saturday, teams and the Atmosphere RTNX mobile Base Camp will relocate to Kaslo, BC for a pre-race dinner, final course overview and safety briefing.See All Event Posts
