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Wilderness Traverse - Back to the Basics of Adventure Racing

Barb Campbell / 30.05.2010

When Bob Miller started adventure racing over a decade ago, mega-events like Eco-Challenge and Raid Gauloises defined the sport and captured his imagination. Over the years, the Canadian racing scene shifted its focus from multi-day and weekend expeditions to convenient sprint races that finish before dinner.<br /><br />
Miller, now an elite racer and one of Canada’s most respected adventure event organizers, was asked by longtime competitors to bring “old school� overnight adventure racing back to Ontario. Nothing fancy or contrived; no climbing to clifftops only to rappel back down. Racers told him they wanted a “back to basics�, point to point journey with challenging wilderness navigation.<br /><br />
Miller responded by launching the inaugural Wilderness Traverse, a 24 to 30 hour adventure race where coed and open teams of three or four will mountain bike, paddle and trek across a remote region of the Haliburton Highlands on the weekend of June 5-6. The race course is roughly 144 km in length. “Route choices throughout all disciplines will be abundant, making navigation strategy a key element of a team's ability to go the distance,� Miller commented.<br /><br />
Event organizers will transport bikes and gear, removing the need for teams to scramble for support crews. Environmental impact has been minimized and organizers have had the freedom to plan a more interesting race course with transition areas in remote locations with limited parking. <br /><br />
Miller was keen to attract new participants to race alongside experienced competitors. “This race is for adventure enthusiasts of all levels who want to push their physical and mental limits in an awe-inspiring backcountry setting,� he said. To help new racers gain the necessary skills, Miller hosted adventure racing and navigation clinics in the classroom and in the field. <br /><br />
Online photos of Wilderness Traverse course testing reveal the beautiful Canadian Shield landscape racers will pass through – coniferous and deciduous forest, swamps, rocky outcrops, scenic lakes and winding rivers. “I’ve designed a course that I’d like to race myself,� Miller admitted. “The race will offer about 32 km of trekking. There are so many route options that no two teams will have the same stories.�<br />
The 76 km of mountain biking will include single-track, dirt roads, and ATV and snowmobile trails. Miller explained, “What Ontario lacks in topographical relief, it easily makes up for in the infinite possibilities for crossing over it on a bike. Raw speed is not what racers want in this section as too many wrong turns will eat away their time. Careful execution of a well-laid route plan will see racers reach the end, enjoying a thrilling ride along the way.�<br />
According to Miller, the 36 km of paddling and portaging will keep racers’ minds and imaginations occupied. “I hate boring ‘hammerfests’ on long rivers or cottage strewn lakes, so I’ve done the opposite. Paddling will be in remote areas, following rarely used routes.�<br /><br />
The race headquarters and finish line will be at Sir Sam’s Ski & Summer Resort in Haliburton. Free camping is available onsite and racers will enjoy a carbo-loading pancake breakfast before they are transported to the remote start. Live race coverage will be available on the event website and on Facebook.<br />

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