Expedition Alaska
Expedition Alaska - snapshots
Pyro / 27.05.2015
With the inaugural Expedition Alaska Adventure Race now less than a month away, the final details and course updates have been arriving thick and fast.
Firstly, the course details, where small images galleries and snapshots of the course have been appearing with a fair degree of regularity on the race Facebook page. The snapshots show everything from high mountain snow and glacier treks, Alaskan tundra, cold and wild-looking river rapids, shingle beaches, braided river beds and wide open water sections to tempt just about any outdoor enthusiast. Whether the teams will have the time and energy to appreciate the wilderness first hand will be hugely dependant on themselves and the conditions, which are anybody's guess. The just announced 'final challenge' of the race, entry to the brutal 'Mount Marathon' trail race, a 5km run with over 3,000ft of ascent.
Even before they get to that point, the rest of the 400-mile course is sure to be a testing one, and Race Director Dave Adlard has mentioned his ambition that Expedition Alaska develop to be mentioned in the same hallowed circles as Eco Challenge and the Patagonia Adventure Race. Only time will tell on that score, of course. At least the teams will be in good company, as they make their way through all of those varying terrains, they'll be watched by the press - ourselves included, of course, as well as a freshly announced team from the University of Cincinnati's Production Master Class. 7 students, as well as 2 teachers and 11 professionals will be filming and documenting the race, having partnered with the sucessful Gold Rush races in the US for the past 3 years.
The final details brief sent out to the teams reads as cautious and realistic rather than promotional and optimistic, which is perhaps wise for a race in such remote country. Refreshing back country first aid skills, dealing with the cold and wet, staying 'found' and concentrating on navigation are all top tips on race director Dave Adlard's messages to teams. When the kit list includes ice axes, proper crampons (not running micro-spikes), snowshoes, satellite phones, packrafts and drysuits, those messages seem wholly appropriate, and cold and wet could be a theme of the race. I'm sure that last 5km and 3,000ft will warm them back up before they head home, though. And with sponsorships and 'swag' headwear announced from Hoo-Rag and Discrete Clothing, as well as teaser mentions of racer jackets, they should at least look good doing it.
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