Hlavs Signing Off

I can't thank the team enough for letting me be a small part of your EPIC ADVENTURE.  I saw a lot this week, but I can tell you one thing that will stick with me forever.  Primal Quest Montana, more specifically Team Nike ACG/ GoreTex has emblazoned an undeniable Truth on me.  I think what I come away with is much greater than some cool photographs and clever captions.  No, what I will remember PQ08 for is the understanding that there are no limitations to what the Human Body can endure when you factor in the following variables:  

SUPPORT from those close to you. 

And HOPE.  HOPE for the future, HOPE which endures.

With these in your arsenal, Pain and Fear have no business here.

Now I've got an appointment to keep in Portland 11 hours from now, and I'm about 10 hours away.  So wish me luck on my Adventure on the American highways tonight.

Team Nike ACG/ GoreTex Photographer Hlavs signing off...

until the "NEXT EPIC ADVENTURE"

Next stop: Big Sky

Well race fans, the team is off on the last leg of this adventure at 7:00pm Monday June 30.  They're heading toward the finish line right back where the race started at Big Sky Resort 8 days ago.  And its time for me to hand this blog back over to it's rightful owners: Mike Dawson, Ken Brewer, Julie Leasure, Peter Courogen and their families who await them at the line. 

PS: Don't worry I left the job of getting finish shots in some capable hands.

A quick turn at TA 14

I sit in a coffehouse in Coeur D' Alene Idaho as I write this note, reporting remotely.  But I have a trusty source (Beau/ Tanya) for reporting that the team arrived at TA14 after a 23 hour trek.  Beau and Tanya turned it in 30 minutes to set team Nike ACG/ GoreTex bombing on their bikes back into the mountains towards the race finish.

Day 8 begins with Preparation at TA14

Beau's handiwork extends to all the team's mechanical needs as well.  We're awaiting the team's arrival from the trek and getting set for a mountain biking finish through the mountains.

Almost there.

Team Nike ACG/GoreTex presses up into the Gallatin Wilderness again for its final trek, and second-to-last leg of the competition.  Currently in 7th place, the team is prepared to lay it on the line for a top-ten finish...  Which would be, as Courogen was quoted earlier, 'A dream come true'.

Gotcha!

Just as I suspected...  Courogen displays his 25th Anniversary Pegasus 2008...  Creator and end-user.

Hot on the Pegasus trail

While the team rested I took the opportunity to explore their gear.  My motive: Find evidence to support my theory about those Pegasus tracks seen a few days ago in Corbly Gulch.  

Footsie... The name of the Game

The team puts Beau's handiwork, or should I say footiwork on display as they rest.  Keeping the team's bodies in order has been no small task.  And Beau's foot prep at each TA seems to be the key.

Warm afternoon, and welcome at TA 13

Peter and Mike's family wish the team luck before their last scheduled power nap.

Look out Below

After Ken and Mike are safely grounded, Julie and Pete follow suit.

As team documentarian, I'd like to take a moment to editorialize if I may.  I must say, I wasn't sure what to expect when I signed on for this mission.  I've worked with some World-class  athletes in my day, and I've worked with teams in all different sports.  But I've never seen anything like the display put forth by Team Nike ACG/ GoreTex and all the Primal Quest racers for that matter.  It seems to be a blend of mental and physical strength, willpower and teamwork the likes most people can't imagine.  Even seeing it, I still don't believe it.  Anyway, enough waxing poetic...  Onward to TA 13.

Any Questions?

Mike and Ken show us how its dun.  

The Light of Day 7

The team made its way through the deep growth of the Gallatin Forest capturing 3 time-bonus points on the orienteering course.  Then proceeded to the final checkpoint of this leg...  a 30-story rappel off the mountain.

Onward (Day 7)

The team perserveers  into the darkness to capture some time-bonuses on the Orienteering course above.

On the 7th Day they rested...

...NOT

In the wee hours of the morning, Mike and Ken begin the next leg under the shelter of TA12.  Accuracy is paramount for the next leg of the race...  A 13 hour orienteering and ropes course in the Gallatin Forest.

Angel in the midst

Tanya, the backbone of this operation, keeps us fed, rested, organized, and keeps us going as Day 6 comes to a close. 

Warm Courogen Family welcome at TA 12

I think the look on Pete's face says it all.

Hello Again Gallatin

The crew presses up into The Gallatin Forest as the sun gets low and the shadows get long on Day 6 of Primal Quest Montana.

Bye bye Bozeman

Team 27 blows through town like a, as Mike puts it... Freight-train.

TA 11 in Bozeman

Ken gets a boost of confidence from his family before a power nap.

Meanwhile Mike goes for a shower... Or is it a swim?  Either way.  It functions to revive.

Pete gets interviewed by the local news station.

And Julie gets focused on the next leg...  A 7 hour ride which will take them through Bozeman and back up into the Gallatin Mountains.

Day 6 begins

After trekking 37 miles through the night, the team descends the Bridgers beneath the Big Montana "M",  But the mindblowing part...  They're running.  After 5 days of racing and who-knows how many miles, and how much elevation, they're still pressing the limits of human endurance.

A Pegasus sighting

Well, as Team Photographer I tried to test my abilities and catch the team on the trail into the Bridgers, but was reduced to a wind-sucking mess after 8 minutes up the mountain, having ditched my bike after 4.  Let me tell you, this race is no joke.  So needless to say, I didn't get the shot I was hoping for, but I did find this telling track.  Ladies and gentelmen this is the track of a rare specimen and can only mean that Team Nike ACG/ GoreTex passed this way.  This tread pattern is most assuredly that of the one and only 25th Anniversary Nike Pegasus 2008, engineered by none-other than Team 27 front-man Peter Courogen himself.  Not yet available to the public, but only the latest, most cutting edge equipment will do for this crew.

Onward Day 5

Off they go to tackle the next leg, a 35 mile trek along the Bridger Range.

TA10 shenanigans

Mike gets set to take his trusty lid to yet another peak on this next leg through the Bridger Mountains.  The team was in great spirits and seams to have caught a second... no, tenth wind.

TA10

Beau displays his therapeutic mettle, applying this robo-foot tape-job to Ken.

Pressing-on to TA10

The team arrives at TA10 having gained 2.5 hours on the team ahead.

Bridging the gap

Team Nike ACG/ GoreTex moves out of TA9 and begins a 90 mile ride around the Bridger Mountains as it trys to close the gap on the teams ahead. 

Day 5 begins at TA9

The team made it into TA9 around 12:30am and caught some much needed sleep, as Day 5 picks up where day 4 left off...  With a Majestic Montana Big Sky display.

Day 4 comes to a majestic close

We didn't get to see the team on day 4 as they hiked another 20 hours through the Crazies.  But I did manage to capture a few shots from the race course.  This one shows the sunset exiting the Crazy Mountains on June 26, Day 4.

The race course - Day 4

I guess this is why they call them the Crazies...  Because they're down-right CRAZY.

And This is why they call it Big Sky country...  Because the sky is straight-up BIG.

Day 4 Begins

Into the night for a short bike followed by a long trek through the Crazy Mountains.  That's no pun, they're really called the Crazy Mountains.  I can only guess what that means.  I'm sure Ken, Mike, Julie, and Pete will let us know...  Stay tuned

Road Rash

Pete is all smiles despite the battle scar.  

PS. Connect to the ecoprimalquest.com site and check 'notes and quotes from the field Day 4'.  Scroll down to see what Pete told the TA7 captain about the Grizzly they saw during the second trek.

Day 3 ends at TA7

Day 3 quickly becomes Day 4 at 1:00am Thursday morning as Beau helps transition the team through.

Teamwork Personified

The well-oiled-machine at full speed.  Like I said: A thing of Beauty.

PS. Sorry the clip is so short, but you get the idea.

Onward (Day 3)

This next stage got changed from a kayak to a bike due to the increasingly dangerous Yellowstone  River levels.  So the team sets off on an 80 mile ride along the flood-rated river. 

Weathered the STORM

Julie is ready to rock after a thunderstorm rolls through TA6.

TA6

Nike ACG/GoreTex Support Crew rocks...  Tanya makes sure the team has a proper meal and well-deserved nap after 52 hours of racing.

"In Formation"

A thing of beauty.   Team 27 is a well-oiled-machine.

Fuel Stop

While on the road, Team 27 recognizes an opportunity and takes it.  A cold beverage is welcomed.  

Footnote: The ecoprimalquest Day 3 web page published this shot from another angle.  The PQ photographer and I wrestled for position while shooting. 

No rest for the weary

The team repacks and refuels within minutes before starting off again.  Mike makes it look easy.

Unassisted Transition Area 5

After a long night the crew was happy to get off their feet.  This TA is unassisted which means the athletes have to change their gear and carry everything out on their person.  

Day 3 Begins

Day 2 blends into Day 3 as the teams completes its 22 hour trek through the mountains.  By the way, the team saw another Grizzly...  You'll have to ask Mike about this one.

Gettin' It Dun!

Departure from TA4 

12:10pm June 24, 2008 - 

Primal Quest Montana

Team 27 (Nike ACG/ Goretex)

Onward (Day 2)

After all the "good times" on the Gallatin River, the team presses-on in 8th place.  They are all in good spirits heading into another 50K trek through the Gallatin National Forest.

A Little Help, anyone???

It took a little muscle, but Pete finally did get out of his wet gear at TA4.  A power lunch followed.

TA4 Enough water already!

Support Leader, Beau Johnson, escorts the crew to the Transition Area, minus Ken.  He was taking care of some "business" back at the extraction area.

WHAT????

"That was Large."

P. Courogen - Gallatin 2008
just smiles

M. Dawson - Gallatin 2008
"The Craziest thing I've ever done!"

J. Leasure - Gallatin 2008
"Holy S@#t"

K. Meyer - Gallatan 2008

TA3 Chilly morning

They paddled for 3 hours in the 38degree Gallatin, then prep to jump back in for some riverboarding.  The locals say they haven't seen the river this high, or fast on 10 years.  But it doesn't phase team 27...

Well maybe a little.

Day 2 begins

TA2 came and went under the cover of darkness...  Everyone is Dark Zoned followed by a 5:00am wake-up-call.  The team presses-on down the Gallatin River near the front of the pack.