Primal Quest teams have a lot to look forward to on this amazing course through the Badlands and Black Hills. On Day 1 they were treated to an orienteering course inside an a local cave that hasn’t been accessible to the general public for some time. Check it out here and watch for more videos soon.

You can be sure the teams are happy to see the sun this morning after a cold, rainy night last night!  Orion has moved past the High and Wild Climb — while the remainder of the lead pack of teams are making their way to the climb site and are expected to complete it today.  The main body of teams are moving into the Silver City for the Avis Trek Orienteering Section. It will be a welcome section on foot after 136+ miles in the saddle.

The big news for today is that the course has been shortened slightly for logistical regions and to allow teams to make the time cut-offs. When the racers arrive at checkpoint 22 they will now trek directly to CP 26, skipping checkpoints 23, 24, and 25 completely.

Note: Reports that Team Spanos has dropped out of the race are incorrect. That team is continuing unranked with their remaining three members. No other injuries have been reported, but their overly-hydrated teammate has recovered and was sighted looking hale and hearty at race HQ this morning.

Image by Wouter Kingma

In the early morning hours of Friday, August 14th, the teams began their epic 600 mile, 10-day long adventure. The racers were eager to get underway and when the starting guns went off, fired by cowboys on horseback no less, the teams set hit the trail on foot for a 26.2 mile marathon. Here’s a look at what it was like out there.

• http://twitpic.com/e0ub2 – Team Intrepid comes through Deadwood, where Wild Bill Hickok was shot – they're looking to make it to the nxt … #
• http://twitpic.com/e0uiz – Racers coming through Deadwood happen to arrive at the same time that the Tractor Drive is stopping by on the … #
• Back from out on the course. Teams are having a blast so far. It was raining in the Deadwood/Lead area A bit cool too, but spirits were high #
• It's raining here in the Badlands. Just one more thing the teams are going to have to deal with on Day 2 of Primal Quest #
• Team Spanos (No. 38) is off the course due to a non-serious injury. The first team to withdraw from PQ Badlands. #
• Second O-course has OrionHealth through it, Bones, Cordura/Osprey Packs, and Salomon/CB are on it. Merrell and iMoat approaching. #
• Correction from an earlier Tweet. Team Spanos continues on Unranked after one of the team members dropped out with a non-serious injury. #

“I’m not in the mood for raisins, but a cocoa beverage sounds good.”

“Our high point was finding that burrito shop.  Specifically, the Mountain DO Burrito.”

“This map shows a gravel road exactly the same as it shows a small rut where a jeep once went.”

“I’m so glad to be done with map 1A.”

“They have some products to stop the chafing they call Monkey Butt.  One is called Heinie Helper.  Another one’s called Monkey Butt.”  “Shouldn’t it be Anti-Monkey-Butt?” “That would make sense.”

“Forget this orienteering stuff. We’re getting some beer.”

What a day for Primal Quest: Badlands!  Racers encountered a myriad of obstacles including lightning, hail, torrential downpours, surprisingly cold temperatures, and relentless uphills on the U-Haul Mountain Bike Course.  Several teams cited the Centennial Trail, which all teams have been following today at times, as a highlight of the race so far (along with caving, which was a common favorite).  Team Merrell Haglofs Multimania raved about the views from certain peaks along the way.  All teams have echoed that the continued support and interest of the South Dakota locals has been a morale boost and a definite hallmark of PQ: Badlands.  Teams report honking and cheering, people following them or asking for photos with them, amazing hospitality from restaurant and store owners, and meeting many locals who have been tracking the race online and specifically come out to meet the racers.  It has been an eye opening experience for these racers, who were not expecting such warmth from people not involved in the race.  Several teams have even opted to take advantage of the race course to see the sights, traveling down Main Street to get through the historic town of Deadwood, where Wild Bill Hickok was gunned down (also known to fans of the HBO Series, “Deadwood”).

Jason Quinn (Team Bones) engulfs a burger made by the Silver City Fire Dept - sold as a fundraiser for $5 to any racer with a hankering

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