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Adventurers Attack Folsom Lake

© Sharael Feist

On August 18, 2002, over 1,000 competitors kayaked, ran, mountain biked and performed "special tests" in an effort to win the Hi-Tec Adventure Race, which was held at Folsom Lake, CA.

The three-member teams had to endure the blazing hot sun while they participated in the grueling physical and mental competition. It is not a relay race, the team members must stay together throughout the race.

The Hi-Tec Adventure Racing Series (named after Hi-Tec outdoor footwear) was founded in 1996 by Michael Epstein. He says that the most important factor of this series is camaraderie on the special tests.

"You build a bond between teammates in order to finish the course," said Epstein.

Race Director Nick Moore, an Eco-Challenge competitor, agrees that the teamwork and compassion are what makes the Hi-Tec Series different from other adventure races.

"Three people together can do some pretty amazing things," said Moore. "It's during those dips when teammates really help each other out. People push their bodies to points where they didn't think they could. It's powerful stuff."

The race began with a five-mile trail run. Halfway through the run, the competitors had to stop for an orienteering test where they had to practice their navigation skills using maps.

Upon completing the run, the adventurers faced the "Booths" test (the most amusing test for spectators to watch). In this test, teams learned the value of reading directions. Next, the adventurers had to complete the "Checker Board" test where the entire team had to hand onto a ring and make their way across the sand while stepping from one board to the next.

Then the racers hopped into two inflatable kayaks (most teams chose to tie the kayaks together) and paddled a 1 1/2 mile course on Folsom Lake.

After the somewhat refreshing paddle came the worst part--the mud pit. Teams had to roll through the thick, wet mud while hugging (it made for some interesting photos!). But just when the competitors thought the worst was over, they got a shock at the memory test when they found out that if they got it wrong, they had to go back through the mud pit until they got it right. Needless to say that by the time teams got to the memory game, they were very exhausted and most teams had to go back through the pit at least twice. The one complaint from competitors was that the bottom of the pit was rocky and most people got scraped.

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