Two more teams have elected to withdrawal from Primal Quest 2008. Team MAAR was forced to exit the race when one of the team members suffered minor injuries following five days on the trail. 

The other team that was forced to pullout was Team TravelCountry.com who had to withdraw after the team became dispersed over the course. The rules of Primal Quest state that teams must stay within 100 meters of one another, and some point on the course, one of the team members became separated from group. 

As of now, seven teams have withdrawn completely from the race, and six teams continue as Unranked. 

The Dirty Avocados share their most challenging moments from Primal Quest 2008.

Video by Gulnur Tumbat

We at HQ just caught up with Denise and Greg of Team PeakAdventure.com, the team that had been swapping second and third place for much of the race and withdrew yesterday.  Scott, the team member whose severe case of tendinitis cause the team to request airlift out of the Bridger Mountains, is doing fine.  The team is already looking forward to their next race (even though they wish they were still out on the course!).  The Canada-based team is taking advantage of the down time to try to plug the Yukon as an option for a future Primal Quest.

The team’s assessment of Primal Quest Montana is that though it was a difficult race, it was made easier by the beautiful weather in Montana.  With daytime temperatures in the 70s and 80s and snow readily melting, teams cruised along without the oppressive conditions racers experienced in Primal Quest Utah.

Denise and Greg both have minor battle scars — Denise’s neck is raw where her dry suit rubbed off a layer or two of skin, and Greg has a minor scrape on his head that only hints at the brutal mountain bike crash he had earlier.  Invisible damage includes a bruise to his hip and a ruined helmet, which took the brunt of the crash.  They indicated that they very surprisingly did not lose any weight over their 300+ mile journey, and one member thinks he actually gained weight!

Needless to say, the team wishes they were still out there but knew that there was no decision to make when requesting the helicopter — their teammate was in dire need.  Luckily, the damage isn’t permanent and the whole team will be here to welcome in the finishers over the next few days.

Luxury resort community Moonlight Basin has generously offered up two nights stay for the top three teams from Primal Quest 2008. Racers who stand on the podium will have the opportunity to “experience Moonlight Living” while relaxing at one of Montana’s premiere destinations. 

Moonlight Basin offers some of the best skiing in the Rockies, a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, and plenty of other activities for all seasons. The resort offers convenient access to Yellowstone National Park as well as the endless possibilities for adventure in Big Sky, Montana. The Lodge also offers fine dining and a world-class spa that is unlike any other in the region. 

Primal Quest athletes staying at Moonlight Basin will also be treated to deep muscle massages, including arnica oils finished with a peppermint foot scrub, that will soothe their aching bodies, and put them well on the road to recovery. 

Look for video interviews with teams on the stunning Moonlight Basin property coming soon!

The coverage of Primal Quest 2008 by the media outlets in Montana has been outstanding, and the entire state seems to be captivated by the event. But the local Bozeman NBC affiliate of KTVM has gone above and beyond with their coverage, following the race and teams everyday. Here’s an example of their work.

Thanks to Jake Zivin and Jeff Friedman for their great work. More clips coming soon!

Nike on the ropes course (Photo Courtesy Will Ramos)

Lunch Time! (Photo by Frances Fisher)

Big Sky Country! (Photo by Frances Fisher)

Nike on Saddle Peak in the Bridger Range (Photo by Josh Gage)