Cowboy Tough Adventure Race

High Waves in Wyoming

Randy Eriksen / 21.07.2013

The wind blew and some wondered if they would survive.

After a beautiful,if hot day, the winds came to the Cameco Cowboy Tough adventure race. Race organizers had told the competitors that if the wind came up on Semione it would be dangerous. They were right.

At 3pm the lake was glass calm. By 3:05 the wind was blowing 40 -50 mph. The waves on the large part of the lake were 2 feet hig. Racers said that in some of the narrower parts they were 5 feet plus. 15 teams were on the water and by 9 pm the wind had dropped and the teams were able to finish the paddle and move on to a minimum 8 mile trek to get to transition.

Many of the teams work at getting the optional CPs and were entering the TA at 6 am, just as the lead teams of Tecnu,Untamed New England and Yogaslackers/Gearjunkie were leaving.

Day 3 started with 50 mile mountain bike ride, broken up with a short Orienteering section and a climb to the top Independence Rock. This 500 foot tall rock is a landmark on the Oregon Trail. 

After Independence Rock they had a short ride to the historical site of Martins Cove. Here they got 2 wheeled wooden carts that they had to pull 5 miles and collect more CP's.

Teams Tecnu and Untamed New England (2 person) spent most of the day traveling together with Yogaslackers within a half hour behind. Out here in the middle of Wyoming it is hard to know if everybody has cleared the course and have time bonus's. But those are probably the top three teams.

Tomorrow is the last day. It starts early at 4am with a 10 mile bike, a 22 mile canoe, and a trip through the whitewater park in Caspe. Racers are scheduled to be finishing by noon. 

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