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Contents 1 2010 Desert Winds Expedition Info 2 2010 Desert Winds Expedition Race Pictures 3 2010 Desert Winds Expedition Race Videos 4 2010 Desert Winds Expedition Race Map 5 2010 Desert Winds Expedition Race Results 6 2010 Desert Winds Expedition Race Reviews 6.1 Josh's Take 6.2 Ben's Take 6.3 Stefanie's Take 6.4 Murray's Take

2010 Desert Winds Expedition Info

• Desert Winds Expedition Race
  • Date: Sept 18th-25th
  • Location: Las Vegas, NV
  • Event Details: 5 days
  • Event Description: Unsupported, 310 mile adventure race in the Mojave Desert outside of Las Vegas.
  • Event Points Category:
    • Checkpoint Tracker Expedition-length Race
  • Team Registered: Josh, Stefanie, Ben, Murray (recruit)

2010 Desert Winds Expedition Race Pictures

2010 Desert Winds Expedition Race
Ben On Bike	Team Rolling Out	Josh & Robert Finlay (RD)	Colorado River
Josh Stefanie Packing	Josh Inflating Raft	Approaching Low Desert	In the High Desert
Lunch on the Colorado	Lunch on the Colorado	Taking Cover From the Sun	Josh Ben Flight Home

Some photos courtesy of Mike Malandra (1|2).

2010 Desert Winds Expedition Race Videos

2010 Desert Winds Expedition Race Map

2010 Desert Winds Expedition Race Results

2010 Desert Winds Expedition Race Reviews

Josh's Take

• "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas."
• "I could do some Meth right now."
• (After poking a cactus ball with a trekking pole it sticking to the pole): "We should avoid this cactus."
• "Josh, I really hate your left."
• "You have really strong glutes, Josh".
• "I would consider making out with Jessica Alba."
• "This is like the Temple of Doom..... nobody touch any gold buddas!!"

Ben's Take

Desert Winds! What I think about is waking up in the middle of a “Wash”/valley on a slab of rock looking up to see ridgelines on either side. There is just something really cool about being out in the middle of nowhere… sleeping on the ground, I love it and always feel Gods presents. I knew we needed to cover as much ground as we could while it was still cool. The plan had been to be three times as far by the morning and be able to rest in the heat of the day but this is adventure racing and you role with it ”nothing is a problem”. Climbing the ridge the sun coming up was beautiful but then as I reached the top light and wind seamed to explode and the view! There were a few check points along this ridge and high plain one of which read Desert Uraki (sp) and it was like something out of lord of the rings. This stretch of the race was probably my favorite. The team was moving well together and we truly were in the wilderness I liked the feeling of being so small compared to everything around me. Overall the terrain was brutal the heat was punishing but I loved every minute. Comparing this to a 24hr race I would say it just felt bigger more important and more like a journey then a race and I hope I get the chance to try it again. A little bit about gear and food: the pack raft “Yoda” was great but probably would have been better to get two smaller/lighter rafts. My home made sand gaiters stood up better then the store bought but I think what made the difference was attaching them higher on the shoe which in sand dunes might not have worked as well but in the rocky terrain and with all the climbing the gaiters took less punishment. The GoLite “Peak” packs were great and accommodated the gear and the rough treatment. gear list generally was: 48hr food, 200oz water plus two bottles on the shoulder straps, three sets of climbing gear, 50 meter rope, rain gear, extra socks, gloves, and a number of odds and ends. Railriders shirt was great although it felt stiff with all the dried sweat a swim in the Colorado river fixed that!, Injini socks were perfect my feet were in great shape. Sorry this is so disjointed

Roses and thorns Roses to new racing terrain, roses to 800” of rappelling, roses to getting up from a rough night and hanging tough, roses to Bootleg Canyon, roses to Golite, Injinji, and Roc Gear, Roses to homemade sand gaiters, and A big rose to Ashley for being the coolest. Thorns to NV smoking laws, thorns to the sun, thorns to excuses, big thorns to not getting to the bikes, briar patch to not finishing.

Stefanie's Take

It would not do this journey justice to speak only of the "race" itself. The journey for me personally began months before when we decided to take on this race. Josh had the bright idea that we needed to do these 5 "uber" workouts to prepare - paddle the perimeter of Lake Lanier, bike ride 50 miles from Blue Ridge to Amicalola, paddle down the Chatahoochie River, half of the Atomic 2009 race, and hike part of the AT. Little did I know that life was going to start hurling lemons at me during this time, but taht is the way life goes. These "uber" workouts will always be held near and dear to my heart because they made me realize that above all else, I was a survivor and a fighter. The lowest point in my life came around teh time of the first "uber" workout with Josh F and Josh B. We paddled for about 13 hours around Lake Lanier. I think I broke down mentally 4 times crying due to the lemons in my life. Josh F kept telling me finishing this workout would make me feel better. I swore to him it would only make me feel lower since I was such a bad paddler. However, Josh F was right. For the first time in months, I had a smile on my face as I pulled away from the workout in my car. For that, I am forever grateful to both of the Joshes. The second "uber" workout was not as bad. We did the second half of the Atomic 2009 course. I had my moments, but I realized that Josh and ben had my back at all times. The third "uber" workout came at another time when lemons were flying at me again and we were hiking the AT. At one point I just had to stop and pray to God for the strength to continue. AR is very symbolic. All you can do at times is place one foot in front of the other and that is what I did (except for teh part where Ben carried me for a few yards because of a snake). It is always helpful to have friends who are there to pick you up when you are down or scared. the fourth "uber" workout was teh craziest. Josh F and I biked from Blue Ridge to Amicalola. I threw up 45 minutes in and cursed at Josh when he fell down a cliff for making me ride single track. He just yelled back and told me to keep going. I think I am most proud of this workout. I am not a strong biker, but I had the best time that day just riding with a true friend. I never in my wildest dreams thought I would make it and I did. While the "race" did not exactly turn out the way we had planned, the journey was more than I could have ever wished for. I found that Josh and ben are two of the truest friends and gentlemen that I have ever met and I am better person for having met them. They helped me through a panic attack on top of a mountain and drug me through a desert while I was delirious from sleep deprivation. They also helped me in more ways than they will ever know through the toughest time in my entire life. I do not know that I will ever be able to repay them for that. Life is a journey with many twists and turns. The best thing that came out of this journey is my friendship with Josh and Ben. To me, this comraderie is what AR is all about. Races may not go as planned, but at the end of the day, we stuck together. I wanted to give a special thank you to several others who helped make this journey possible: LL - thanks for being one of the kindest people I have ever met who always had the best words of wisdom for me. Jamin - thanks for allowing me to take this journey and never questioning me when I was out in the woods with random guys. You are my heart and I am so proud of the journey you have made this year. I look forward to our future journey together. Remember our motto - when life hands us lemons, we make lemonade! Mom, Dad, Adam, and my family gang - thanks for always being there for me and supporting me even when you may not agree with all of my crazy ideas. Dad - I will always remember our late night boat ride for as long as I live as well as thr trip across the country and Hoover Dam. When I am old and laying on my death bed, I will smile knowing I was fortunate enough to be blessed with the greatest family. I am so thankful for everything you all do for me. Sonya - thanks for always being willing to kick someone's behind for me. You make me smile. Rhonda - next time tell me to listen to your good lawyering advice. The Team - thanks for being true friends during a very difficult time for me. Friends like you are so hard to come by and I am blessed to have each of you in my life. Again, this journey did not end as expected, but in a way, I would not change anything because it took me from the lowest place I have been and lifted me up and for that I can never be disappointed.

Murray's Take

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