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Camped Out at Lyell

Rob Howard / 14.11.2005

The Lyell camp ground in the Upper Buller river valley is temporary home to all the support crews during the first night of the race. They met the teams here at the end of the first mountain bike stage, and set them off on the long overnight trekking stage. They won’t see them again until after they’ve completed the trek, the rafting down the Buller Gorge and a short bike ride.

The ‘village’ of camper vans, trailers and tents was quickly set up in the early afternoon, and the leading teams arrived having completed the first mountain bike ride more quickly than expected. Balance Vector maintained their lead and are pushing hard in the early stages of the race. (They didn’t escape the kayak damage however as one of theirs broke when being carried off the beach and is now unusable.)

Their support vehicle is probably the longest on the camp. Their gear is laid out in a huge truck normally used for transporting crates and cartons. Despite the team setting off first and having most daylight to progress through the bush their support crew were not sure they’d finish the trek before the dark zone is lifted at 6am for the start of the rafting. (If they do get there they can get some sleep before setting off down the river.)

Nearby John Howard was filling bladders for Nike Balance Bar and said the team were pleased with their position after the paddle, as it’s not their strongest discipline. The Halti camp was busy too as Helena Lind was washing sand and salt water out of all the kit used this morning. “They are really pleased to be so highly placed,� she said, “and when they came in they were rushing us to get back out again.�

Before leaving all the teams had a complete kit check, having to unpack every item for inspection. No chances are taken on these trekking stages and 2 fleeces, full waterproofs, sleeping bag, climbing rope, beacon and radio were on the long inspection list.

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