Discussion: Welcome Back!

We've missed you in the AR world, and it's awesome that you escorted two dedicated volunteers to their first 24-hr finish ahead of 10 other teams. I've heard that it's possible to combine fatherhood and AR (Exhibit A: Benoit) so I hope we'll see more of you - and MooPoint too!

Now that I've read your report, I understand what was going on between CP5 and CP6. You had me confused and a little worried as I watched your GPS track but it sounds like you knew where you were; you just couldn't get where you wanted to go.

P.S. 'Bent was really bummed to miss you at CP5. He'd given the other volunteers strict instructions to wake him when you arrived but I guess he was snoring too hard. He texted me sadly awhile later to tell me he'd missed you.

HubNukin, if you were concerned at all about our wherabouts, you never showed it:)
Sorry if my questions about the distance annoyed you....as opposed to Eco, I like to know what to expect. 3km will have a whole new meaning to me from now on....;)

There are certainly a huge list of very successful 'parent of young children' adventure racers in our ranks to prove that it is possible. Come to think of it, it seemed like half of the racers there had at least one child under the age of 5! I'm enjoying focusing on Monster adventures for now.

I was actually having a bit of a chat with TheMonster about that tonight. I was telling her that maybe I'll race without doing much in terms of training for a couple of years so I can spend a bunch of time with her. When I feel ready, maybe I'll step things up and start striving for the podium again. We shall see.

I know, I tried yelling for 'Bent, but didn't know which tent he was sawing logs in and yelling his name out a few times yielded no results. The man needed rest!

Bash, I was going to send you an email about 5-6 as I knew you were curious, but I figured you would see my race report and that would explain a bunch :) Not the most efficient route, but at least it got us to the ATV trail quicker.

Hehe, no worries Myka. It was more that I had the map folded up such that I couldn't see 'big picture' distances. I also have a pretty one-track mind: ask MooPoint :)

Great seeing you and good on you for leading the ladies (and Andrew) and making AR work with parenthood. I'm in the same boat - time training is time away from the family and a hard balance to strike.
Our trek strategy from 5 to 6 was similar, although sounds like we stayed closer to Wilson Lake. Worked hard to get up on the plateau and followed a bearing ("I know you think we're lost, but just keep following 125 degrees") until we found a trail down to the lake and by that point the shoreline had eased so we could bushwhack close to the lake until we got over to cottages and found a trail that took us all he way around the end.

Nice work leading your team across the finish line. Good to have you back in the AR world!!!

Sounded like a great time in the bush, buddy. Good on you guys for making to the line!

We so lucked out having you guide us through this experience! I am still smiling hearing your say " guys there is a gap between us and the start line" :)

What's the verdict on the Moscow? I go back and for between that and a Sunnto baseplate. Did you just add 10 degrees to all of your bearings?

Thanks Wilberto. I think we would have done better to stay further south. I found a portage trail on the backroads map that I was considering using, but we just didn't get close enough for it.

Nice seeing you too! The balance I want to strike is that I want to be there for TheMonster and future kids, but I also want to model taking the time for myself to follow my passions. Early days for that yet for me, but I foresee that being a challenge in coming years!

Thanks Harps and Phatty! I'm excited to hear more from you guys about your epic adventure.

Thanks Eco. I'm glad I was able to witness such a special event. Hehe, it was strange having essentially two start lines :)

Tico 3.0 (I didn't realize that you upgraded!). I certainly enjoyed the compass. It was a treat having such a stable and (relative for me) fast needle. It was also a lot lighter in my hand. I'm still at the early stages so was being a bit too careful with it around rocks :)

Everything worked well as I kept everything in grid north bearings, but just set my compass +10°. The only downside to that was when I wanted to double check my bearings, I had to move the bezel to line things up. Not something I do too frequently though. I also noticed that the bezel was not very stiff so it had moved a couple of times during a bearing. I luckily noticed it, but strained to remember our intended bearing correctly :)

Amazing work by you guys out there by the way! Bummer how things worked out as I (and everyone else) was excited about that sprint finish. Unfortunately, that s*** does happen to everyone. Good work on still finishing strong!

Oh, were you at the race? Sorry, must have slept through it. One little nap in the entire race and I manage to miss you for your triumphant return. Next time throw a bucket of water in the tent.

Great job Hubnukin and welcome back! Not sure who brought the samosas but that is a great idea!! See you at LRS in September!