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3 ... 2 ... 1 ... GO!

Craig Stein / Photo PQ/Wouter Kingma / 24.06.2008

As racers assembled at the start line this morning, for the 10 AM launch of Primal Quest Montana, the base of Lone Mountain at Big Sky resort was wrapped in a thick blanket of fog. The TV crew chopper could be heard circling above and nervous energy began to build. As if part of the script, mother nature assisted race producer Don Mann as he counted down to the start by suddenly clearing away the fog revealing the mountain above. Nearly sixty teams of four flew out of the gate as a huge avalanche control charge detonated atop the 11,166 ft. summit signaling the beginning of a long day of trekking through the Montana back country.

A snaking line of racers pushed their way up the mountain where they were met with a heavy snow pack above tree line. Along a narrow ridge ropes crews had safety lines preset for teams to hook into for the final steep ascent.

GPS tracking, by SPOT, was available for spectators at the base to watch the progress of the entire field moving through this first mountaineering section. Watching the progress on a big screen, the close proximity of the teams made a clear leader hard to pick out so early in the race.

The pace seemed subdued as many teams strategized that they might not make the transition area on the Gallatin River at Taylor Fork before nightfall. A "Dark Zone" rule would be put into affect at 5:30 PM meaning no boats could launch because of safety regulations.

The warm mid day sun warmed the first teams to make the loop back down to Big Sky Mountain Village where racers checked in and quickly proceeded into the next trekking section of the course. Front running teams into the check point were, "TeamPeakAdventure.com", followed by "Nike" and shortly afterward by "Merrell/Zanfel Adventure". This would be a preview of how close the top three teams would travel throughout the rest of the day. Team "Nike" and "TeamPeakAdventure.com" would constantly switch lead positions usually traveling together or within one mile of each other.

Hours passed, teams continued to hike and as quickly as the race began, the day was also finishing in an accelerated manner. In the final 30 miles of the hiking section before the Taylor Creek transition area, team "Nike" took and held the lead. They entered into the RV packed camp site around 11 PM where they were met by their support crew who provided hot food, warm clothing, and a good night sleep!

Tomorrow morning will come soon enough! Teams will load their gear into inflatable kayaks starting at 4:45 AM and enter the frigid snow melt waters of the Gallatin River. There will be a 30 second delay between the launch of each team. Tuesdays water section will reveal a lot about each team and should be action packed as river levels continue to flow well above flood stage.

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