Team High Profile (THP) traveled to the northern Ontario lake country on September 18-23, 2002 to participate as one of seven (7) teams from the United States in the Raid the North Series Championship held in Elliot Lake. A total of thirty (30) coed teams, the majority from Canada, of which many are the top teams in North America, competed in the 2.5 day race. $15,000 in total prize money was offered. The OLN (Outdoor Life Network) filmed the event.

Elliot Lake is located approximately 2.5 hours east and north of Sault St. Marie near the north channel of Lake Huron. It is an area of 4000 lakes and unspoiled wilderness all within 100 square miles of Elliot Lake. The Team arrived in Elliot Lake on Wednesday night after a 12 hour drive through Michigan. After a restful night, the Team registered at race headquarters in West view Park overlooking beautiful Lake Elliot at 9:00 a.m.. The mandatory equipment and bike check, along with a safety protocol meeting were conducted.

The Team was met at registration by Wilf Peace, a resident of Elliot Lake. Wilf "adopted" us. He had read our web site and became familiar with us. He was so supportive. He told us about Elliot Lake and the area, making us feel comfortable in our new surroundings. He even gave us and our smelly bodies a ride back to the motel after the race. At the awards banquet Wilt had reserved a table for us. Pictures he took are included in this write-up. We all send him our best regards and sincere thank yous!

After registration, we returned to our motel, the Fireside Inn, to make final preparations and pack the support vehicle. At 5:00 p.m., we were off to the race briefing located in the Algo Mall. The festivities included the Elliot Lake Junior High School band, the swim team as flag bearers and an opening address by the Mayor of Elliot Lake. The competitors were addressed by Race Director, Dave Zeitsma. He stressed the environmental philosophy of Frontier Adventure Racing as, " Leave no Lasting Trace." The course was described and the maps, directions and passports were handed out. At the conclusion, THP was off to a last carbo loading meal and map preparation. The maps were studied and routes chosen. Overall, about 3 hours were devoted to this process. Then off to a restless night sleep and a 5:00 am wake-up call.

The competitors drove about an hour to the race start, located in a large quarry just north of Iron Bridge. At 0800, the race started on bikes. The 22 mile ride was on rough gravel roads, ATV trails, a 4x4 trail under a power line, to CP1/TA1. THP arrived at CP1/TA1 at 11:22 a.m. After only a 6 minute transition, the team began a 5 mile trek on the power line and 2 mile bushwhack to CP2 which was located on the shore of Bay Lake. Tricky navigation was encountered due to having to wind around three lakes and a large cliff.

Arrival at CP2 was at 15:10 with the team coming out of the forest right at the CP. The route to CP3 included a 2 mile coasteer along the south shore of Bay Lake with a difficult 1.5 mile bushwhack over rock outcroppings and around cliff faces. CP3, the 250' rappel site was reached at 19:30. It took 26 minutes for of the team to descend the cliff overlooking Big Moon Lake. From the bottom of the rappel, the Team had to scramble over 1000' of steep boulder field to reach the shore of Big Moon Lake. At this point it began to rain heavily.

A .5 mile coasteer and final waist deep wade across a bay brought the team to CP4, the canoe pickup. CP4 was reached at 20:41 hours. Two unexpected events took place at CP4. Due to the high winds from the south, the volunteers shuttling canoes from CP5/TA2 were unable to keep up with the teams arriving at CP4. Therefore, when we arrived, six teams were waiting for canoes. After a 5 hour wait on the sand beach, in heavy rain and high winds, two canoes finally arrived to allow us to continue at about 1:45 a.m. During the time of our wait, Gerry's pack, with his bike helmet, dry clothes, food, emergency blanket and other essential equipment disappeared. Needless to say, he was not a happy camper.

The missing pack caused a substantial delay at CP5/TA2 while looking for someone to loan him one so the team could continue. Luckily, the map, compass, and water bottle were left. To this day, we still don't know what happened to it. Fortunately, Becky found a person with Team Mission: Adventure who had just dropped out of the race. He was kind enough, without hesitation, to loan us his pack and helmet. I believe his name was Mike Schaffel from Scarborough, Ontario. We are truly indebted to him!

The paddle on Matinenda Lake was a grind due to the high winds facing us from the south. The 7.5 mile paddle was in the teeth of the wind the entire length. White capped waves constantly broke over the bow of the canoes. The weather went from broken clouds with the moon shining to dark black fronts passing quickly over. At 05:36 we reached CP5/TA2. After finally locating a pack, advising race staff of the missing pack and eating, THP left the CP/TA on bikes at 07:25. After a 19 mile ride on gravel and hard surfaced roads, CP6 was reached at 09:38 and left at 09:41. The bikes were dropped and a 3 mile trek on a gravel road with a 7.5 mile bushwhack, located to the north of Lake Lauzon brought the Team to CP7/TA3.

The navigation was very complicated due to the many small lakes, rock outcroppings , swamps and extended stretches of thick forest. Travel was found to be easiest at the 750' contour. This elevation provided quicker travel over the rock outcroppings and dense forests. At 21:45, after 12 hours of bushwhacking, the Team arrived at CP7/TA3. In transition, the Team ate and changed into biking gear.

A mistake was made in underestimating the time it would take to complete the next leg of the race. THP was out of the transition at 22:37. The route selected was a 10.5 mile bike, initially east under a power line around Waugush Lake meeting an ATV trail which would lead north to CP8. Due to the rainy conditions and steep terrain on the power line, it took until 0600 to complete. During this time, the Team stopped briefly on the side of the ATV trail. Close by, a timber wolf serenaded the tired team with moans followed by spine tingling howls. A once in the life time experience!

Finally, after fording waist deep rivers, walking the bikes through deep grass and fallen trees, memorable hallucinations and with all headlamps and bike lights dead, CP8 was reached. After one minute, the team was off to CP13/TA4. The final biking portion was over 7 miles to the west and north on ATV trails, a power line 4x4 trail, and gravel logging roads. This final ride was fast as we rode with SMAC. We arrived 08:30. After a quick bite to eat, we began the final canoeing leg at 09:03.

The initial paddle section was 8 miles through the narrow channels of Esten Lake to a river leading into Quimby Lake. Along the route, three portages were encountered. CP14 was reached at 11:31 and left at 11:33. After a portage around the Elliot Lake dam, the final 4.5 mile paddle, from west to east the entire length of Elliot Lake was completed with favorable winds to our backs. We were pushed during this paddle by SMAC. We arrived at the finish line at Westview Park in Elliott Lake at 12:34. Our official time to complete the course was 47:20. Five (5) hours were deducted due to the canoe wait at CP4.

We finished in 15th place, 4.5 hours under the 52 hour cutoff time! After a quick shower and nap, THP attended the awards banquet. The long ride home on Monday, September 23 was sure sweet. The Team had accomplished its goal. We had pushed our limits and succeeded. Lessons and experiences were learned and reinforced. The cardinal rules of adventure racing still hold strong and true. "Expect the unexpected" and "Never take anything for granted."

We wish to thank Becky for being the best support person in adventure racing! Dave, Nichola, and the staff and volunteers of Frontier Adventure Racing, to the many warm, friendly, and fun residents of Elliot Lake, to the sponsors of Raid the North, and to John Hobbs and Enviromark for making our dream of adventure a reality! Gerry