Team Composition
Each four person team must be comprised of a mix
of men and women. Participation in the Carpathian Adventure requires
more than skill. It requires good physical and mental stamina under
extreme and varied conditions. The success of your group depends on
your ability to work together as a team as well as strong motivation
for everyone to complete the race together. 
Race
Course
The route of the race will
be revealed to the teams the day before the start of the race when directions
and maps will be handed out to team captains.
The course will be about
185 kilometers in length. (THESE ARE APPROXIMATE DISTANCES - - 90 km
biking, 70 km hiking, 25 km rafting and a short section using rope skills.)
There are required checkpoints
at regular intervals along the course where all the members of the team
will need to check in with race officials. There are often a number
of possible ways to reach a checkpoint. It's up to each team to choose
their route, depending on their physical abilities and the orienteering
talents of the navigator. Some of the checkpoints will double as supply
stops and/ or medical checks. The supply stops will be set up between
the different race sections so teams can change their gear, get more
food, drinking water and rest, if needed.
Race Details
Rafting
Each
team will have access to materials necessary to build the rafts and
will get paddles and life jackets.
In this section endurance and teamwork are the major
keys.
Rope Skills
The rope work is not difficult from a technical standpoint but will
need some familiarity and comfort with basic rope skills. Each team
member will be required to participate in this section.
Hiking
This is almost a two day hike covering close to
70 kilometers in the Harghita Mountains (ranging from 500 m to 1560
m in altitude). Orienteering skills with a map and compass are critical
to successfully completing this section of the race. Each team will
need an experienced navigator to complete this section. The many possible
routes travel through forests and meadows still untouched by civilization
where you will have the opportunity to explore the wilderness of Romania's
alpine region.
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Biking
A
combination of 4 wheel drive roads, steep hills (ranging from
500 m to 1800 m in altitude) and some single tracks will take
competitors through spectacular countryside. Navigation difficulties
and weather conditions can be fearful enemies during this.
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Race Winners
Everyone
who finishes the race is considered a winner and should consider the
satisfaction of a job well done and a challenge conquered the best prize
of all. Just participating in the Carpathian Adventure will provide
rich experiences of self discovery in a beautiful environment.
Sports equipment and other prizes
will be awarded to the top three finishing teams.
Environmental Issues
During the competition, teams are expected to be
aware of and respectful of the environment. Please carry your trash
off the trail with you.
