3rd Annual Dakota Rogaining Championship Coming August 18-19

Looking to sharpen your navigational skills? Want to participate in a very cool competition this summer? Then consider adding the 3rd Annual Dakota Rogaining Championship to your list of activities. The event is scheduled to take place on August 18-19 in the amazing Black Hills National Forest and Custer State Park in South Dakota and is guaranteed to be a great time for all who participate.

The event is being organized by my friend Rick Emerson, who designed the awesome course for Primal Quest Badlands a few years back. Rick knows the Badlands better than anyone and I have no doubt that his course for this event will be no less challenging and spectacular. It will feature 50 navigational checkpoints do discover, spread out over new terrain and with revised maps. Additionally, the competition will feature electronic controls this year which will more closely track the teams as they make their way across the course.

For those who aren't familiar with rogaining, or orienteering as it is sometimes called, the competitions involve teams of between two and five members who use maps and compasses to locate as many checkpoints on a course over a given amount of time. In the case of the Dakota Rogaining Championship there is a 24-hour competition, a 12-in-24 hour intermediate race, and a 6-hour short course for those who are looking to try the sport for the first time. Think of it as a bit like adventure racing stripped down to just the trekking and navigational activities, which are often some of the hardest elements of the race.

This event will be perfect for adventure racing teams who are looking to learn how to navigate more efficiently in future events. It allows athletes to concentrate simply on honing their navigational skills without worrying about some of the other demands that come along with an adventure race. But make no mistake, rogaining competitions are tough and demanding as well, and there will no doubt be some excellent teams in taking part in this event.

The field this year is being limited to just 40 teams, so if you're interested in joining in on the fun, you'll want to register soon. For  more information about the competition and to learn more about the fantastic setting in which it will take place, visit PeakAssurance.net.

And for those who are already fans of orienteering competitions, this will be your chance to scope out the territory in which the 2014 World Rogaining Championships will be held. That event will take place in August of that year as well and plans are already in motion to prepare an even more challenging and beautiful course for the international competitors who will descend on South Dakota for that competition.

Who Is Interested In Primal Quest 2013??

Okay, I know we teased you with the possibilities of the return of Primal Quest last year and I can tell you that there were some genuine efforts made to bring the race back for the 2012 season. Unfortunately those efforts didn't pan out as expected and as a result, the "World's Most Challenging Human Endurance Competition" wasn't able to return for this year.

But, the very talented and hard-working team behind the race haven't given up in their efforts to revive the race and we are now in the early stages of planning a new PQ for 2013. I've just heard from race director Don Mann inquiring about my interest in returning to the event (Which is a resounding yes!) and we wanted to check in with the adventure racing community to judge the interest in a new Primal Quest race for next year.

Details remain scant at this time, but I an tell you the plans are in place to hold the event somewhere in the western U.S. once again.

So? Who is up for another PQ? Racers? Staff? Volunteers? Are you ready to go?

Gear Closet: OutThere MS-1 Backpack

Back in October I wrote a review of the AS-1 backpack, calling it the best pack on the market for adventure racing and a damn great pack for backpackers and adventure travelers as well. I was struck with the AS-1's comfort, well thought out design, and multitude of pockets and compartments. In short, it was one of the best pieces of gear that I had used in quite some time and since writing that review, I have only continued to be impressed.

The AS-1 comes to us from a company called OutThere! which was started by adventure athlete Mike Kloser. Mike is a multi-time world champion in mountain biking and adventure racing, and all of that time spent in the field has given him a unique perspective on what outdoor athletes need from their gear. Kloser has now taken that considerable expertise and applied it to a new, smaller pack called the MS-1 which exhibits many of the same attributes as its predecessor but in a much smaller package. In fact, the MS-1 has exactly half the carrying capacity of its bigger sibling, offering 15 liters of internal storage with an additional 5 liters in an external mesh pocket.

Aside from the differences in size however, the packs have a lot in common. Both are made from durable, water resistant fabrics and feature rugged zippers that provide easy access to the packs contents but seal the pack up tight as well. Once again, the MS-1 has plenty of pockets and compartments for carrying your gear. In addition to the large main compartment, there are three additional internal pockets that help keep the small stuff close at hand and well organized. Externally there is a very handy zippered mesh pocket as well and additional storage on the hip belt and shoulder straps. As you would expect, the pack is hydration ready and includes integrated hydration tube sleeves, but also has two large water bottle holsters that can be easily reached even while wearing the pack.

While the larger AS-1 is a fantastic pack for multi-day, expedition length adventure races or backpacking excursions, the MS-1 is better suited for shorter 24 to 48 hour events. I was surprised to find that once I adjusted the pack to fit my body, it was actually even more comfortable to wear than the AS-1, a pack that was already very comfy even while carrying a larger load. The airmesh padded back panel and shoulder straps felt great, even on extended treks and I especially enjoyed the way the MS-1 fit snuggly against my body, but still allowed me to move freely and quickly.

I know I sound like a broken record when comparing these two packs, but once again I am impressed with how versatile the MS-1 can be. The pack can be used for everything from day hikes and overnight camping to mountain bike excursions and cross country ski outings. The size is perfect for just about any kind of outing and works well as a travel pack too. I recently carried the pack on a trip to Michiagan's Upper Peninsula and found that it carried my laptop, DSLR camera, and other travel gear comfortably and easily too.

If you were tempted by the AS-1, but thought it was simply too large for your needs, than you'll definitely want to grab the MS-1 as soon as possible. Designed to be a great pack for adventure racing, its use extends well beyond that and you're likely to find you're using it for all of your outdoor adventures. If you already own the AS-1 and want the same functionality in a smaller pack, you won't be disappointed either.

Mike typically sells the pack for $149, which is a great price for a piece of gear with this kind of quality. But he is currently running a special promotion with the MS-1 on sale for just $135. Check it out on the OutThere! homepage now.

And if you don't want to take my word for how good the MS-1 is,  my friend Randy Ericksen had put together a video review as well. For a second opinion, check out Randy's thoughts below.

Brits Win 2012 Patagonian Expedition Race

While I was away playing in the snows of Michigan's Upper Peninsula last week, a lot of things went down in the world of outdoor adventure. One of those was the completion of the 2012 Patagonian Expedition Race, which once again proved to be an amazingly challenging start to the adventure racing season.

As expected, the team of Adidas TERREX - Prunesco took first place for the fourth year in a row, completing the 375-mile course in 147 hours, 39 minutes. That gave them a comfortable win over second place winners Team EastWind, who finished nearly 12 hours behind at 159 hours, 25 minutes. Third place went to Team GearJunkie/YogaSlackers, who crossed the finish line 162 hours and 31 minutes after starting.

At the closing ceremonies, race organizers announced that they had come up with a new way for endurance athletes to suffer in the beautiful Patagonian landscapes. On September 30th of this year, the first ever Patagonian International Marathon will take place in Torres del Paine National Park, one of the most spectacularly beautiful settings on the planet. More details are sure to follow, but this sounds like a marathon that a lot of outdoor-adventure athletes are going to want to take part in. Stay tuned for more.

Congratulations to all the teams that raced in this year's Patagonian Expedition Race. But especially to the winners, who have now thoroughly dominated this race for the past four years. Considering how challenging the event is, that is one impressive feat.

Patagonian Expedition Race Update: Closing In On The Finish

One of the toughest adventure race on the planet, the Patagonian Expedition Race, continues in Chile today, where 12 of the 20 teams remain in the competition and are heading towards the finish line. As usual with this event, the weather has been unpredictable at times, the course has been unforgiving, and things haven't gone exactly as planned. Still, the athletes are battling the environment, the elements, and each other, to take home the top prize.

As of this writing, there is a familiar name atop the leader board. Team Adidas TERREX-Prunesco has passed through the final checkpoint and are now headed for home. They seem like a lock to once again claim the championship, although Team EastWind and the GearJunkie/YogaSlackers are still in pursuit. At this point however, it appears that those two teams are dueling it out for podium positions behind he defending champs. Team Kauri and Cyanosis are currently further back in fourth and fifth place, but not completely out of striking distance should someone ahead of them falter or make a navigational error.

I'm told that paddling conditions early on in the race were extremely challenging, with a few boats taking on quite a bit of water on the heavy seas of the Magellan Strait. One team was also forced to withdraw after they went off course on one of the early kayaking stages. Returning to dry ground didn't necessarily  help maters either, as high winds and occasional rain have made the course a challenge in general. Of course, this is all typical for this race, so no one competing there should be too surprised.

Barring some strange turn of events, look for Adidas to wrap up another title by tomorrow, with most the remaining teams staggering in by the next day. The race is scheduled to end on the 22nd, so teams will likely be short coursed to make it home by the end of that day.

The 2012 Patagonian Expedition Race Begins Tomorrow

The calendar reads mid-February, which can mean only one thing! It's time for another edition of the Patagonian Expedition Race, which continues to be one of the toughest, most grueling events on the adventure racing schedule each year. The race gets underway tomorrow, with 20 coed teams setting out on a 600km (372 mile) course that is guaranteed to push them to their limits.

Organizers of the event promise that this year's course will be the most scenic and breathtaking ever. That's saying something considering how spectacular the natural landscapes in Patagonia truly are. The teams will set off from Tierra del Fuego, make their way through the Darwin Mountain Range and find themselves paddling the Beagle Channel, while enduring the always fickle Patagonian weather.

As usual, the athletes will be trekking, mountain biking, and kayaking across the course, with plenty of navigation and climbing mixed into the challenge as well. The fastest of the teams will probably take about a week to finish the race, although ten days is the cut-off point. As always with this race, it is difficult to predict however, as shorter courses have taken longer due to the remote setting and the weather, which always seems to have an impact on the outcome.

Stay tuned for updates over the next week or so. The team to beat is no doubt Adidas TERREX / Prunesco, but there are plenty of strong contenders in the field, and the race could be as wide open as ever.

10 Great Adventure Races For 2012 From Nat Geo Adventure

Endurance athletes and adventure racers who are still considering where they'd like to compete this year will love the latest top ten list from National Geographic Adventure. This time they give us Ten Great Races in Amazing Places for 2012.

First up on their list is the Patagonian Expedition Race, which actually gets underway next week. As the name implies, this competition takes place in the wilds of Patagonia. Over the past few years, this race has held down the first spot on the adventure racing calendar and it has earned a reputation as one of the most challenging, physically demanding, events of the year. The remote location, highly unpredictable weather, and grueling route are just a few of the hurdles for the coed teams to overcome.

Other races that earn a nod on the Nat Geo list include the Race2Adventure, to be held in Guatamala in March. This competition features daily stage runs for prizes, but also mixes in some other adventurous activities, such as rafting or cliff diving after the competitions end for the day. Colorado's Iron Horse Bicycle Classic earns its place with the other races for its unique competition. Riders in the event actually race a train into Silverton. The ride is just one part of a full weekend of activities that take place in May.

Whether you're an endurance runner, triathlete, adventure racers, or just a weekend warrior looking to have some fun, you'll find some kind of competition that will appeal to you on this list. So start planning now, get into shape, and be ready to take on any one of these great events.

2012 Untamed New England Adventure Race Sold Out!

It may still be early into 2012, but clearly adventure racing teams are already gearing up for another great year of competition. I received word this morning that the fourth edition of the Untamed New England race, which is scheduled to take place June 19-24, has already sold out its allotment of 50 teams. That's a great sign not only for that particular race, but the health of the sport over all.

This year's edition of Untamed New England will be four days of non-stop racing over a wilderness course in The Forks, Maine. It will feature coed teams of four in the main division, although two and three -person teams are accepted, as are crazy individuals who want to go it alone. This will be an unsupported race that will also serve as a qualifier for the 2012 Adventure Racing World Championship, which will be held in France later this year.

For more information on the event, checkout UntamedNE.com, where you'll find more information on the course, the mandatory team gear list, and a list of teams that will be in attendance.

Hopefully the news of this early-season sell out for Untamed bodes well for other races taking place in the U.S., and other parts of the world, this year. Despite a sluggish economy, adventure racing seems to be continuing to grow across the globe, and I'm happy to see more and more people discovering it.

Video: What Is Adventure Racing?

Adventure racing is one of those outdoor sports that is difficult to convey to people who have never seen or heard of it before. The concept of a team of athletes, competing in a race that goes on for days, often in remote corners of the globe, just doesn't make an impact on people who are unfamiliar with how much dedication and training goes into preparing for an event.

The video below, which seems to be the first in a new series entitled Wild Racers, serves as a good introduction to the sport, giving viewers a glimpse of the action – not to mention suffering – that the racers go through while out on a course. It is beautifully shot by a company called NuthinButShorts out of Australia and holds a lot of promise for future episodes.



WILD RACERS :: WHAT IS ADVENTURE RACING? from NothinButShorts International on Vimeo.

Casting Call: Adventure Racers Needed For New Television Show!

Television production company Pilgrim Studios is looking for participants for an upcoming reality show that sounds a bit like a made-for-television adventure race. The new series in entitled Unbreakable and will send contestants out on a three day long "outdoor obstacle course" that will feature "barriers to climb at night, trenches to swim during the day and brain-teasing puzzles striking when you least expect them."

To launch the new show, Pilgrim has teamed with the organizers of the Spartan Death Race, which is a notoriously grueling two-day event that tests endurance athletes both physically and mentally. They're looking for contestants from all walks of life and it doesn't matter if you have any experience in adventure racing or not.

To apply, simply send your name, location, phone number, and a recent photo of yourself to UnbreakableCasting@gmail.com. Be sure to also include a brief explanation why you should be included in the competition as well.

For more information on the show and the eligibility requirements, click here.

Video: Gold Rush Mother Lode Adventure Race 2011

This past September, the Gold Rush Mother Lode Adventure Race took place in California. Over the course of three days, some of the best teams in North America challenged one another in an epic clash on foot, mountain bike, and kayak. What exactly did that race look like? Check out the excellent video below for an idea. It'll also serve as a nice sneak peak for the race, which will return in August of 2012.

Local Team Wins 2011 Mark Webber Tasmania Challenge

I mentioned the Mark Webber Tasmania Challenge last week when it got underway, but I completely forgot to update the final standings yesterday. The five-day event, which was a stage-based adventure race through the wilds of Tasmania, covered more than 350km (217 miles) and featured plenty of trekking, mountain biking, and paddling with some climbing, navigation, and other challenges sprinkled in for good measure.

The fifth, and final stage, took place on Sunday, with the teams crossing the finish line in Hobart. Local boys Mark Padgett and Mark Hinder, collectively known as Team Iron House, claimed first place in the Van Diemen Cup - Elite category, with a commanding lead over the competition. Behind them in second was Team Tasmania, consisting of Guy Andrews and Darren Clarke, while Team Pure Tasmania, made up of Emma Weitnauer and Jarad Kohlar, took third. The Enthusiast category, which is made up of mere mortal athletes like you and me, was won by Team Xtech (Tim Robinson/Dean Hemborrow). The complete results for the event can be found by clicking here.

By all accounts, this was a fantastic event, which was revitalized thanks to adventure racing fan and F1 driver Mark Webber himself. The race has signed a three year contract, which means it is likely to be around for the next few years and anchor down the end of the adventure racing calendar in 2012 and 2013 as well.

Congrats to the winners and everyone who took part in the race.

The Mark Webber Tasmania Challenge Is Underway

One of the last big adventure races on the calendar for 2011 got underway today in Australia, where the Mark Webber Tasmania Challenge is taking place. The 350km (217 mile) stage-based event will run for the next five days, culminating with a final leg to crown the champion on Sunday.

As the name implies, the race will take place in the wilds of Tasmania, one of the more remote and untamed places on the planet. Each of the five stages will feature mountain biking, trekking, and paddling sections that will challenge the competitors in new and unique ways each and every day. And at the end of the stage, the teams will return to a pre-set base camp, where they'll have the opportunity to rest and prepare for another grueling challenge the next day.

The first stage of the event, which took place today, with racers starting with an early morning kayak leg before transitioning to a trek that took them to the summit of Mt. Amos. That was followed with a 50 meter rappel back down the sheer cliff face, before continuing on a bush trail that would eventually lead to the first mountain bike section. For video highlights from the opening stage, check out the video below.

At the end of the day, Team Iron House, consisting of Mark Padgett and Mark Hinder, were out in front, with Team Pure Tasmania and Team Tasmania in second and third respectively.

It looks like this should be a fun and competitive event over the next few days, and a great way to wind down what has been a very active adventure racing season. Follow the Tasmanian Challenge on the official website by clicking here.

Adventure Racing News: GearJunkie, Team WEDALI Join Forces

The Team GearJunkie adventure racing stable grew in size yesterday when it was announced that GearJunkie.com was joining forces with veteran adventure racing squad Team WEDALI for the 2012 season. The newly renamed group will go by the moniker of Team GearJunkie/WEDALI and will join Team GearJunkie/YogaSlackers under the GJ adventure racing umbrella.

Minneapolis based WEDALI, which stands for We Eat Dirt And Like It, did everything but eat dirt in 2011. The team was amongst the top AR units in North America, claiming victory at the 2011 Checkpoint Tracker Adventure Racing Championship and finishing high in a number of other races as well. Additionally, the team took first place at the 2010 United States Adventure Racing National Championship as well.

In addition to being a great site for gear news and reviews, GearJunkie.com has also been a great advocate for the sport of adventure racing. Now with two teams in the fold, site founder Stephen Regenold, who is also based out of Minneapolis, has really shown his commitment and love for the sport.

Both teams will have a full schedule of races in 2012, starting with the YogaSlackers returning to Patagonia for the Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race. Because these two teams are amongst the best in North America, it is also likely they'll be competing head-to-head in a few races as well. I have no doubt there will be a good spirited rivalry between the GearJunkie teams.

Adventure Racing Site No Boundaries Introduces AR Power Rankings

Adventure racing and endurance sports website No Boundaries launched a new feature a few weeks back, introducing a list of AR Power Rankings for the first time. The rankings will be a monthly feature moving forward, and for now they are focused on the best teams in America, although I'm told they are pondering adding Canada soon and international teams possibly in the future.

So what teams made the No Boundaries list? Topping the rankings, at least for now, is Team Tecnu Extreme/Staphaseptic, who definitely had a great year in 2011. They're followed closely by Dart-nuun and Wedali in second and third place respectively, with Team Bones and GearJunkie/YogaSlackers rounding out the top five. Team SOG earned a sixth place ranking, with Odyssey Adventure Racing/ ImONPoint.org taking seventh. CheckPointZero/Tech4o, Alpine Shop, and Bushwhacker finish off this list of strong teams.

The panel of AR experts who selected this inaugural power ranking line-up have posted their thoughts for each team as well. If you're a fan of the sport, particularly here in North America, you'll want to head over and read their justifications for picking the teams, and ranking them where they did. There are also a group of very good teams who earned "honorable mention" status as well.

This is an interesting list with the top teams well represented. What do you think? Did they get the rankings right?

Thule Adventure Team Wins AR World Championship

I was so busy last week trying to catch-up on work that it completely slipped my mind that the Adventure Racing World Championships got underway in Tasmania. The race actually started last Wednesday and will continue through Thursday of this week, and while a lot of teams remain out on the course, the three podium finishers have crossed the finish line. The winners of this year's ARWC is the very talented Thule Adventure Team, with Team Silva and Seagate taking second and third respectively. As of this writing, they are the only three teams to complete the full course.

Apparently, Team Seagate dominated much of the race and were in front most of the time, but they suffered a four hour penalty for leaving the SPOT tracker behind at one of the checkpoints. As a result, they had to sit out that penalty, which ultimately led to the other two teams passing them by. Indications are that they could have won the race going away if it weren't for the penalty, which seems like a very stiff one.

The race began with 79 of the best AR teams from around the globe, although six of those were forced to retire and another 11 are currently proceeding as unranked. The teams have been racing non-stop since the middle of last week across a very tough course that is more than 700km (435 miles) in length and offering them plenty of trekking, mountain biking, and paddling. More teams will continue to straggle across the finish line in the next few days before the event officially wraps up.

The 2011 edition of the ARWC seems like it was another great event and a great way to cap what has been an excellent year for the sport of adventure racing. While there are still a few good races on the schedule, lets hope 2012 continues the trend of great events.

WEDALI Wins Checkpoint Tracker Championship

This past weekend one of the top adventure races in North America took place at the Land Between The Lakes in Kentucky, where the Checkpoint Tracker Championship went down. The 24-hour event featured a tough course that was more than 100 miles in length and offered a great mix of trekking, mountain biking and paddling.

More than 60 of the best adventure racing teams in the U.S. were on hand to compete, and in the end it was Team WEDALI (We Eat Dust And Like It) that took home the crown. From the sounds of things, they didn't just win the race however, they completely obliterated the competition and tore up a course that left other teams dazed and confused.

The Checkpoint Tracker blog promises more details on the race soon, including photos and video, but for now, I simply want to offer a big congratulations to WEDALI on a job well done.

Gear Box: AS-1 Backpack

When you want to build a house, you hire an architect. When you want to design an airplane, you get an aeronautical engineer. It only makes sense that if  you want the best backpack possible for adventure racing, you go to the best adventure racer ever.

With three Eco-Challenge wins, five Primal Quest titles, and four world championships to his name, Mike Kloser has an adventure racing resume that few can match. He has years of experience in races of various lengths and in various environments, and he has taken all of that knowledge and channeled it into an amazing backpack that will appeal not only to multi-sport athletes, but hikers and travelers as well.

Mike's AS-1 Pack comes to us from his fledgling company Out There! and it brings with it a host of features that are sure to make it a hit with the AR crowd. As you would expect from a pack designed by an adventure racer, the AS-1 is not only tough and durable, but it is also lightweight and comfortable as well. In fact, after spending hours on the trail with this pack, I can honestly say it is one of the most comfortable packs of its size that I have ever used. The back panel is well padded and offers good ventilation, which aids in keeping you cool while on the move, and well placed hip pouches keep snacks or other small gear items close at hand at all times. Those same pouches can be easily removed if necessary, which only begins to hint at the level of versatility found in this pack.

Made from water resistant materials, the AS-1 provides 30 liters of internal storage with another 10 liters of external capacity. A unique double cinch system helps to keep moisture out of the inside of the pack, keeping gear dry in poor weather conditions. Two hydration bladder pockets, one internal one external, offer versatility for carrying your water supply and four(!) bottle holsters make it easy to expand that capacity further.

The versatility extends to adjusting the pack's fit as well. The shoulder and chest straps are a snap to adjust to match your personal comfort, and the waist belt can be easily slid and modified to fit your needs as well. High quality buckles and clasps hold everything in place, even while carrying a full load, and in my testing of the AS-1, once I locked in the fit, it stayed exactly where I wanted it at all times.

The list of features on the AS-1 goes on and on. plenty of storage pockets in various sizes, ice axe/trekking pole loops, side compression straps that can be used to carry skis or a snowboard, integrated emergency whistle, and more. In short, just about everything that the outdoor enthusiast could possibly want out of a pack, save the kitchen sink.

There were a lot of things that I really liked about the AS-1, but I think the variety of storage options and easy of access to your gear is probably what impressed me the most. For instance, their are two zippered pockets in the pack's hood alone, with a variety of others hidden away throughout the design. There are so many cleverly integrated pockets in fact, that you may use the pack three or four times before you discover them all. It is all of this storage and organization that will make this a popular pack not just with adventure racers, but active travelers as well. Heck, I found at least three places to store my laptop alone.

Built from the ground up for the sport of adventure racing, I believe that this is, without a doubt, the best available pack for that sport. Mike knows full well what is needed – and what isn't – out of a high performance pack on a multi-day race, and the results shine through in the AS-1. Small touches, like quick and easy access to all your gear, at all times, is the kind of detail that you don't get out of a pack designed by someone who has never competed in the sport.

But one word that I've used often in this review is "versatility," and it is the characteristic that will make this bag popular with people who have no intention of ever entering an adventure race. The AS-1 may have been built for AR, but that doesn't mean it isn't a great option for hikers, travelers, backcountry skiers, or just about anyone else who plays in the outdoors. Its versatility will make this pack the first choice on many future adventures for me, with only it's size limiting it for longer term forays into the backcountry.

As you can probably tell, I was highly impressed with the AS-1 and think that you will be too. From its high quality construction to its exceptional comfort, this pack was a delight to use, and whether you're planning your first adventure race or preparing for a trek in the Andes, the AS-1 is a perfect companion on what ever adventures  you have in your future. (MSRP: $189)

Watch The Last Wild Race Online

If you're a fan of adventure racing, or have always wondered what the sport is all about, then I have great news for you. The full version of the film The Last Wild Race is now available for streaming online, giving you the opportunity to watch this year's Patagonian Expedition Race in all of its glory.

My friend Brian Leitten, who made the documentary, sent me the following information about how you can not only watch this great film, but win some swag in the process:


The Last Wild Race, the documentary on the 2011 Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race is now available for rental at Prescreen.com. https://prescreen.com/movie/The-Last-Wild-Race

The film, which highlights the struggles and successes of extreme endurance athletes as they traverse some of the harshest terrain in the world, has won four awards:

• Best Environmental Film - Yosemite Film Festival
• Best Adventure Sport Film - Killarney Adventure Film Festival
• Best Film - Vanka Regule Adventure Film Festival
• Best Environmental Film - Colorado Film Festival
• 
  

Over the summer it aired around the world on Outside Television, Fox Sports Network and NHK.

Get Your Gear Fix!

If you've been looking for a gear fix in recent days, I have a couple of articles that are sure to help out. First up, we have this story, over at Outside Online, that comes our way via the Gear Junkie himself, which lists the best equipment for adventure racing. Some of the items that make the list include the USA AS-1 Backpack from Out There which has been called the best AR pack ever (My review is coming soon!), and a new watch from Suunto that GJ calls "mandatory gear." He also gives a nod to his pick for the best shoes, helmet, jacket, and more. Definitely a must read for fans of AR or those considering getting into the sport.

The other gear article that comes our way today is the Nat Geo Adventure Blog's picks for Gear of the Year for Fall-Winter 2011.  Gear items earning that distinction include jackets from the North Face, Mammut, and Eddie Bauer, as well as a nice sleeping bag from Sierra Designs and boots from Danner. That's really just scratching the surface however, as there is plenty of other gear for playing in the snow as well.

These lists arrive in time to not only tempt us to go shopping for new gear for ourselves, but also to buy for the outdoor adventure enthusiasts on our holiday shopping lists. With all of the great gear, there is sure to be something to please even the pickiest person.