Eco-Challenge Canada, 1996

The Calm before the Start, c David Stewart Smith

Eco-Challenge Canada took place in the Canadian Pacific mountain range in British Columbia, based around the resort town of Whistler. The course started with a horse ride and run, with two horses for each of the mixed team of five competitors, then a river crossing in gurgling, grey glacier melt water, followed by huge legs of hiking on glaciers, canoeing and mountain biking. After the second transition, there was further glacier hiking, rope-work and eventually projected sections of white water rafting and mountain biking. The race was so long that no teams completed it as initially envisaged, but a handful of teams finished an amended course. Below are articles published by a magazine (its name is lost in the mists of time and forgetfulness) and by the Financial Times. Below that are more images of Team Reuters, all credits David Stewart Smith.

Eco-Challenge 1996 British Columbia, Tyrolean Traverse

Crossing a river on a Tyrolean traverse, Day 2 at dawn

Setting off into the Lilloet Mountains

Team Reuters sets off into the Lilloet mountains after the ride and run section on Day 1

Team Reuters, Eco-Challenge 1996 Canada

Team Reuters arrive at the end of a mountain biking section. They ferried their bikes across a river to the transition point

Team Reuters, canoe portage, Eco-Challenge 1996, British Columbia

One of several canoe portages was made easier with wheels which were carried in the canoe

Team Reuters, Eco-Challenge 1996, British Columbia

Arriving at a canoe portage after 12 hours in the canoes, Day 4