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Never mind the map

Susan McKenzie / 16.11.2005

Most adventure racing teams rely on highlight topographical maps to guide them to checkpoints. Not so for Aberdeen Asset Management. Sure, they had the maps and the map case, but the most important navigational information was written all over Nick Gracie’s face…literally. Descriptions of CP17 and CP18 were written in black ink on his left cheek: “CP17 – Doc hut. CP18 mine.�

“You can’t write it on your hands, because it will rub off,� Gracie explained
It was a bit of mad panic last night, so they just scribbled in on my cheeks,� Gracie explained.

Aberdeen Asset Management and Montrail arrived virtually simultaneously. Most teams had to make a big bash along the creek, but only Montrail was able to find the road along the bike trek that Geoff Hunt said existed.

“And we were the only ones to find it,� boasted Neil Gellatly. “Ours were the only tracks on the road.�

Montrail stayed only long enough for some toast and coffee, but Aberdeen lingered a little longer.

“I’m just happy to be sitting here with Montrail, eating toast and drinking tea,� said Warren Bates, whose team won the Wilderness ARC in Scotland earlier this year to guarantee its entry into this race.

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