Raid the North Extreme event supported by Search and Rescue volunteers
By Nelson Daily Staff
Raid the North Extreme (RTNX) will have the expertise and experience of BC Search and Rescue at this year’s event.
Members of Nelson Search and Rescue, Columbia Search and Rescue, Kaslo Search and Rescue, Rossland Search and Rescue as well as other volunteers will assist with technical aspects of the race as competitors travel through the West Kootenay region.
In the past, Nelson SAR has worked on 36-hour Raid the North adventure races in Revelstoke and Nelson.
“We’re thrilled to work with SAR once again and will benefit from their enthusiasm and experience,” said Geoff Langford, race director for RTNX.
“Their participation will not only showcase the high level of skill of Kootenay-based SAR groups but enhance their recognition as some of best in the country.”
The event gives SAR volunteers the opportunity to consult on safety and communications, do live training with water, swiftwater and rope rescue teams, and build complicated rope systems they would rarely have the chance to build otherwise.
“Search and rescue and adventure racing have a lot in common including the need for intimate knowledge of our backcountry terrain and the ability to organize and track large groups of people in backcountry environments,” said Chris Armstrong, director and regional representative (West Kootenay) for the BC Search and Rescue Association.
Raid the North Extreme, the six-day, non-stop expedition race will take place from July 23-31 in the West Kootenay region of British Columbia.
It will feature four-person co-ed teams from around the world as they navigate more than 500 kilometres of unmarked terrain through the Selkirk, Purcell and Monashee mountains.
Teams will face extreme challenges including a rugged wilderness, team dynamics, sleep deprivation and gear failure as they bike, trek, paddle and use ropes to navigate the course.
