XPD Expedition
XPD- This is it ...
Nathan Burns / 21.02.2006
Days of safety briefings, map-scouring, packing, unpacking and packing again have already exacted a huge toll on much-needed energy levels.
Anybody who believes a 10-day expedition race of the magnitude of XPD fits neatly into a \'nice little package\' is sorely mistaken. For most of the competitors, the last step off the bus onto Circular Head soil this morning, was also the last step on a very, very long road to the startline.
In the words of Greg Toman from Teaam ARea51, the mental strain of pre-race days just can\'t be under-estimated. \"I think I\'ve packed, repacked, re-sorted, shaved-down, packed and then re-packed my gear at least 20 times,\" he said.
\"I\'m a little anxious now, which is also burning energy, and I\'m already tired of studying the maps!\"
But there is little shadowing the excitement that bubbles beneath.
Before finally leaving Hobart there was a hive of social activity at Race HQ as teams, friends and loved-ones swapped ideas and said their final farewells.
When the race finally starts at 7am sharp, so too will begin the final 10 days of a long, arduos, yet memorable journey.
SleepMonsters
