The Adventure TEAM Challenge got off to a very busy start today

[MikeB]

Catherine Shenk and Ned Harding of Alteryx, LLC prepare before the race

The Adventure TEAM Challenge got off to a very busy start today. Teams from all over the country, 7 in all, met at noon at the Timberline Tours Whitewater Rafting Boathouse in Granite, Colorado, just 16 miles south of Leadville on Highway 24. After a quick lunch, the teams were brought up to speed on the heretofore secret events of the coming two days' wilderness racing adventure. Bill Mattison, Race Director, gave the athletes a warm welcome, and explained that he and his wife, Helene, Race Headquarters and Race Logistics Lead, had already completed their own significant challenge. Over the last many months, Bill said Helene had managed to secure access to and use of the water ways, lands and rock formations they wanted to use in the new course, from all the various government agencies and private landowners in order to make this year's race possible. With teams returning from previous years, something had to be done to find new and exciting routes and events to keep all of the returning athletes on their toes.

From my vantage, scoping out the race course with the video and photography leads, Alteryx's own Peter Wayne, and Steve Cooper of SCM Productions, our Alteryx team has its work cut out for it. As you will see in the first photos of the day's preparation and training, a good deal of brainstorming and troubleshooting at the last minute is required to tackle tomorrow's and Sunday's team racing events.

Thanks to Alteryx for its double matching support of the over $5,000 raised to-date for this event, and to Alteryx team members, Ned Harding, Catherine Shenk, Nino Pozgaj, Nino's brave daughter Clarissa, his amazing wife, Mari, and to Alteryx team "roadies," Maureen Wolfson, Nathalie Sharpe and Chad Martin, for their presence and support.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30785609@N03/4735041690/

Go TEAM Alteryx! Ned Harding and Clarissa (in raft)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30785609@N03/4735041604/

Catherine Shenk of TEAM Alteryx!

Follow the Flickr Photostream for new images as they are uploaded throughout the day.