Adventure racing is typically a multidisciplinary team sport involving navigation over an unmarked wilderness course with races extending anywhere from two hours up to two weeks in length. Some races offer solo competitions as well. The principal disciplines in adventure racing include trekking, mountain biking, and paddling although races can incorporate a multitude of other disciplines including climbing, abseiling, horse riding, skiing and white water rafting. Teams generally vary in gender mix and in size from two to five competitors, however, the premier format is considered to be mixed-gender teams of four racers. There is typically no suspension of the clock during races, irrespective of length; elapsed competition time runs concurrently with real-time, and competitors must choose if or when to rest.
Team Wild Rose setting out on the paddling section at Full Moon in June 2009, Panorama Mountain Village
Team Intrepid Travel at the start line of Raid the North Extreme Prince Rupert & Haida Gwaii, BC, 2007
2006 Adventure Race World Champions Ian Adamson, Monique Merrill, Richard Ussher, Dave Wiens
Setting up a kayak sail just before the start of Primal Quest 2003
Abseiling, also known as rappelling, is the controlled descent of a steep slope, such as a rock face, by moving down a rope. When abseiling, the person descending controls his own movement down a static or fixed rope, in contrast to lowering off, in which the rope attached to the person descending is paid out by his belayer.
A United States Air Force Pararescueman rappels from a helicopter during a training exercise in Iraq, 2008
Australian rappel demonstrated at a dam in Norway
Rescue-style (eared) figure eight descender and rope