2012 Equinox Traverse Adventure Race at Hidden Valley

Hidden Valley Ski Resort will play host to the 2012 Equinox Traverse Adventure Race sponsored by American Adventure Sports. This is a 46-hour multi-sport race that covers over 200 miles in the Laurel Highlands.

The prize box this year accumulates to around $50,000 in cash and gear. Three Greenlayer jackets, 10 pairs of Darn Tough Vermont socks, three engraved SOG knives, three pairs of Switch Magnetic Sunglasses, and six Scott running shoes are just some of the products in the prize box. Additional prizes include an ENO hammock, heart monitor watches, 100 Honey Stinger Waffles and heart monitor watches.

Teams can still sign up for the race until check-in on Friday July 12 from 7:00 – 9:00 pm. The race starts the following day and wraps up on Sunday with an award ceremony. There are categories in solo, 2-person, 3-person, 4-person in male, female or coed options.

Disciplines for this race include trekking and orienteering while mountain biking 90 miles, 25 miles of kayaking/canoeing, and 45 miles of trail running. There will also be an optional rappelling section for athletes with the proper skill set and training.

Maps, kayaks, ropes, race shirts and clue sheets will all be provided for the participating athletes along with a post-race celebration and breakfast buffet. Mandatory equipment for participants are mountain bikes, helmet, backpack (minimum 12L capacity), hands-free headlamp, 3” knife, rescue whistle and an emergency spare blanket. Rappellers will need a certified helmet and harness and also an auto-locking D, ATC.

Recommended equipment is waterproof bags and a document protector for the map. Also Vaseline and foot powder along with some emergency cash wouldn’t hurt to have in the pack. Outside maps are also allowed if wanted.

The race counts as a national qualifying race for the East Coast Adventure Series which encompasses 13 races starting in March and running until the Championship in the fall. This year it is on Sept. 14 at Seven Springs Resort and has adventure racing legend Mike Kloser will be the official guest speaker for the final race.

American Adventure Sports hosts three races throughout the season. They both take place at Ohiopyle State Park showcasing the beautiful kayaking they have to offer. The first one happens early in the season on May 5 and the second one comes right after the Equinox Traverse on Aug. 11.

Register for the 2012 Equinox Traverse race by following this link, http://www.americanadventuresports.com/race_info.php?race=3.