Raid the North Extreme
Atmosphere Raid the North Extreme 2011 Puts Challengers to the Test
Beth Crowther / 28.07.2011
A portion of the tagline for Atmosphere Raid the North Extreme (RTNX) reads "Real Wilderness." After more than three days of racing the RTNX unmarked course in BC's West Kootenay, participating teams have no doubt that they are being tested in some of the most 'real wilderness' imaginable. And they have to be prepared for it physically and mentally.
Challenging weather earlier in the week took its toll on some racers, leaving teams to deal with ill and injured team mates. In these cases, teams have to decide whether to rest and hope time heals; call for help, take care of the injured team mate and continue on as a smaller team; or, return to the last major transition area and withdraw from the race.
By Wednesday morning, four teams had faced setbacks that left them at TA3 at the end of the first paddle on standby to complete a shortened version of the course: Adrenaline Rush, Blue, HTFU/Sunovion, Nord Vrai, Suburban Rush. Cranksports Team Currahee, the last on the paddle, arrived at TA3 mid-morning, greeted by staff and Shaw TV and were able to proceed onto the shortened course in the afternoon. Though HFTU/Sunovion set off on the short course, they returned later that night to TA3 due to one team member being ill.
Custom Cellular had made it into the high alpine of Valhalla Park and were in second place when cold, wet weather, including ice pellets, exacerbated a previously existing medical condition in one team member, so they elected to return to TA3. The team arrived early morning visibly disappointed but safe.
Pentahlondesneiges.com elected to move forward as a team of three from TA3 after some irreconcilable differences with a team mate. SOG was at CP8 Ice Creek Lodge when one of their members elected to withdraw from the race. The team moved forward as a team of three. Dancing Pandas, after 20+ hours in Valhalla Park, elected to return to TA3 and take on a shortened course so that they would be able to experience as much of the course as possible rather than risk missing a cut-off while in the Park. The Pandas rested at TA3 for a few hours and set off again at midnight. Climb4SMA (Torti) was at the base of the trail up into Valhalla when one of their team members fell ill and they elected to return to TA3.See All Event Posts
