By Alix Shutello
On August 22, 2015, I ventured to High Falls, N.Y., to cover my first search and rescue adventure race. The Lost Tribe Search and Rescue Adventure Race, managed and directed by Eldar and Erin Spahic, was epic. The race was 25 miles of running, climbing and hiking to specific points along a detailed course, earning points by collecting punches at designated stations. Athletes had to use maps and navigate through a maze of trails at Mohonk Preserve. Much like The Amazing Race, athletes worked in teams to negotiate the course, moving from clue to clue to get through the course as fast as possible. Some more seasoned athletes chose to cut their way through more dense brush along the course, while others stayed on a more beaten path.
Teams ranged from 2-6 members and were a mix of professional sponsored adventure racing teams, orienteering teams, military teams, medical/first responder teams, OCR racers, and first-timers. The race began with teams having to rescue their captains in a simulated fire emergency. Once captains were back at the starting line, teams were sent along a long road to look for buses that would take them miles and miles away from where they started.
The course was designed and inspired by Search and Rescue (SAR) teams who are required to trek into difficult and treacherous terrain to find and retrieve people in distress. SAR teams must work together as a coordinated unit to get to these rescue sites safely. Like other adventure races, this race focused on obstacles that would require tactical skills and strategic decision-making by the teams. It was the teams who could work most effectively in unison with designated roles who proved to be most successful in the race.
“The course is set up to stress the athletes a little, because that’s real life in a search and rescue operation,” Eldar Spahic said.
At precisely 10:00 a.m., athletes rushed in various directions, looking for marks to collect and gain points. The course proved challenging: competitors climbed rocks, hiked up steep rocky trails and ran along mountain ridges. They hiked deep into the woods, jumped in rivers, and climbed into a rock cave to collect points. Hiking or running was rarely on even terrain.
After 6 hours, many, but not all, teams made it back to home base. The winning team, REV3, is the current first-place nationally ranked adventure team; they use the course for training and commented that the race was well-planned and executed by the race directors.
For those interested in negotiating the course solo, athletes had 3 hours to complete a shorter version. The 3Hour Solo option was a first time for the event and allowed individual competitors a chance to take on a portion of the course.
The Lost Tribe Expeditions is gearing up for the 2016 SAR Adventure Race and states, “We have m
any new surprises in store – come join in to find out!”
The event benefited KaeliStrong, a New Paltz, N.Y., child lymphoma foundation.
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