Adventure racing/Extreme adventures

Messiah Khan

Messiah Khan

Messiah Khan

Soldato
Joined
1 Sep 2005
Posts
10,000
Location
Scottish Highlands
Has anyone done any adventure racing or extreme adventures? I have always been fascinated by these sorts of endurance tests and admired the people mad enough to do them. Does anyone know of any good websites with videos or stories about anything like this?

One of the reasons I ask, is because I am starting to consider my options for the not too distant future. Me and my GF are currently in the middle of the visa process for permanent residency to Canada. A large part of the reason for wanting to move there is for the sense of adventure. Both in moving to the other side of the world, but also being in a place where I would be surrounded by mountains for climbing and skiing etc.

However if the application fails (Canada have been really tightening their immigration policies over the last few years) then we are considering our plan B. This would probably involve travelling and seeing the world before settling in Scotland. One of the options for travelling that I am currently seriously considering is doing the Pacific Crest trail!

The Pacific Crest Trail is 2650 miles from the border of Mexico and California to Canada, covering deserts, mountains, forests and everything in between. It would involve 6-9months of walking 15-20 miles a day. I am under no disillusion that it would be seriously hard work and would push us to the limit, both physically and mentally but the experiences and memories that would come from something like that must be amazing.

So has anyone done anything similar or have any suggestions for reading/viewing?:)
 
I believe this is the same trail that 6thElement is also going to be doing this year by bike... He has mentioned it a few times in the "Big Bike Thread"
 
Russinating said:
All I can say is I can't wait for the photos :).
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I'm sure there would be loads if I end up doing it. My main problem would be that I couldn't take my DSLR due to the weight. Would probably have to pick up a little point and shoot instead.

Richie said:
I believe this is the same trail that 6thElement is also going to be doing this year by bike... He has mentioned it a few times in the "Big Bike Thread"
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I looked in that thread, but couldn't find him mentioning about it. Sure it was him, and if so any idea where about in the thread it was? Thanks. :)
 
As mentioned I'm racing in the Tour Divide race this year, going from Banff AB, Canada to Antelope Wells on the Mexican border. The race follows Adventure Cyclings Great Divide route. The Divide is the watershed in America, water flows either to the Pacific or Atlantic depending on which side you're on.

http://tourdivide.org
 
Richie said:
Check out post 15201 on that one... http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/sh...36&highlight=username_6thElement#post18056036 and read a few posts about it after that as well

Its actually "The Great Divide" he is doing.
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Cheers. :)

6thElement said:
As mentioned I'm racing in the Tour Divide race this year, going from Banff AB, Canada to Antelope Wells on the Mexican border. The race follows Adventure Cyclings Great Divide route. The Divide is the watershed in America, water flows either to the Pacific or Atlantic depending on which side you're on.

http://tourdivide.org
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Nice! I was in Banff last year and it is an amazing part of the world. Very, very wet though! Oh, and the Grizzly Bear warning signs on trails are a little disconcerting, lol.

How long are you planning on taking/how many miles you going to average each day? Also are you soloing it or doing it with other people?

The more I read about the Pacific Crest Trail (which sounds similar to The Great Divide, although more to the West.) the more I really want to do this. The stories and photos sound and look amazing. The thought of walking 20 miles for over 120 days is both exciting and tiring though. :)
 
2745miles, aiming to finish in sub-25 days. It's a solo unsupported time trial. I'm just choosing to do as as part of the annual mass start.

An alternate to the PCT on the West Coast is the Appalachian Trail in the East.
 
Well, it is now looking very likely that this time next year, I will be getting ready to fly out to South California to prepare to walk 20 miles a day for 6 months. :D

After I got the idea, I put it to my GF who somewhat to my surprise wasn't put off by the idea. Over the last month I have done plenty of reading up on the PCT and other ultra long distance hikes and I confident that both me and my GF are strong and determined enough to do it.

The current version of the plan looks something like;

January 2012 - Apply for Canadian Bunac Visa
Mid April 2012 - Fly out to South California to acclimatise and get ready.
Mid/Late April 2012 - Start Walking!
August/September 2012 - Stop Walking and enter Canada
September 2012 - Activate 1 year Bunac visa
August 2013 - Apply for second Bunac Visa
September 2013 - Activate 1 year Bunac visa
September 2014 - Either come back to the UK, or hope the Permanent residency visa comes through, or try and get a LMO visa through work.

I'm pretty damn excited by the idea, and I know it would be a tough challenge, both physically and mentally. It would also be an amazing journey filled with ups and downs, and would finish with at least a year in Canada (some of you may know my dream is to move there on a permanent residency visa, which we are in the middle of the process for) so it wouldn't be a total comedown at the end of the trek. :)
 
Messiah Khan said:
Well, it is now looking very likely that this time next year, I will be getting ready to fly out to South California to prepare to walk 20 miles a day for 6 months. :D

After I got the idea, I put it to my GF who somewhat to my surprise wasn't put off by the idea. Over the last month I have done plenty of reading up on the PCT and other ultra long distance hikes and I confident that both me and my GF are strong and determined enough to do it.

The current version of the plan looks something like;

January 2012 - Apply for Canadian Bunac Visa
Mid April 2012 - Fly out to South California to acclimatise and get ready.
Mid/Late April 2012 - Start Walking!
August/September 2012 - Stop Walking and enter Canada
September 2012 - Activate 1 year Bunac visa
August 2013 - Apply for second Bunac Visa
September 2013 - Activate 1 year Bunac visa
September 2014 - Either come back to the UK, or hope the Permanent residency visa comes through, or try and get a LMO visa through work.

I'm pretty damn excited by the idea, and I know it would be a tough challenge, both physically and mentally. It would also be an amazing journey filled with ups and downs, and would finish with at least a year in Canada (some of you may know my dream is to move there on a permanent residency visa, which we are in the middle of the process for) so it wouldn't be a total comedown at the end of the trek. :)
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Out of curiosity, do you know what Visa you'll be applying for whilst in the States for that amount of time, as obviously you wont be able to do this on a Visa Waiver.
 
Yep, definitely only 90 days.

You would need to apply for a B visa I believe (I could be wrong, so double check) As this normally applys to most who cant travel on a visa waiver. These can be for 6 months, however, Im pretty sure they are pretty difficult to get if you dont have CRAZY heavy ties in the UK, and seeing as you are applying to leave the country, it might be unlikely you would get one! Im not saying you wont, and I hope you do as it would be an amazing experience. If I were you I would talk to a specialist immigration lawyer as well as the embassy!

Hope it goes well!
 
Damn, was hoping it wasn't going to be that hard to get the visa. I certainly know it is possible as I have read several journals from non US citizens who have completed the Pacific Crest trail. It may be the B visa I require, but I would have to very careful and not declare my plan to stay in Canada etc.

Visas and immigration is the bane of my life at the moment. Why can't exploring the world be easier. Damn borders!
 
Messiah Khan said:
Damn, was hoping it wasn't going to be that hard to get the visa. I certainly know it is possible as I have read several journals from non US citizens who have completed the Pacific Crest trail. It may be the B visa I require, but I would have to very careful and not declare my plan to stay in Canada etc.

Visas and immigration is the bane of my life at the moment. Why can't exploring the world be easier. Damn borders!
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If you dont declare something like your plan to move to Canada, then you will breaking the law, as you are required to declare anything like this when applying for a visa. If you are found to be withholding information about your move (Im not sure if you will be applying for you Canada visas before or not) But if you do, im sure it wouldnt be that hard for them to run a check on your name as standard to bring this up...it may very well go against you for you Canadian move. I personally, wouldnt risk it!

On a more positive note, it certainly is possible. I know people who have done similar, and been able to get a B visa. However these have always had to prove strong ties to the UK, such as a career based job, with documentation proving that job will be there when they return, as well as owning a house, car and other bits. Its not impossible though. The only thing you might want to keep in mind, is if you are denied the visa, you have to declare this on all future visa forms to the best of my knowledge, I know you do if trying to go back to the states. So this in turn, may also affect your Canadian visa. I would definitely speak to an immigration lawyer if this is something you are serious about doing.
 
Detroit_Waves said:
If you dont declare something like your plan to move to Canada, then you will breaking the law, as you are required to declare anything like this when applying for a visa. If you are found to be withholding information about your move (Im not sure if you will be applying for you Canada visas before or not) But if you do, im sure it wouldnt be that hard for them to run a check on your name as standard to bring this up...it may very well go against you for you Canadian move. I personally, wouldnt risk it!

On a more positive note, it certainly is possible. I know people who have done similar, and been able to get a B visa. However these have always had to prove strong ties to the UK, such as a career based job, with documentation proving that job will be there when they return, as well as owning a house, car and other bits. Its not impossible though. The only thing you might want to keep in mind, is if you are denied the visa, you have to declare this on all future visa forms to the best of my knowledge, I know you do if trying to go back to the states. So this in turn, may also affect your Canadian visa. I would definitely speak to an immigration lawyer if this is something you are serious about doing.
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Just an update... I got the visa! :D So the PCT 2012 is on!
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18332338

On another note, how did you you get on, on the Ride the Divide 6thElement?
 
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