Treasure Hunt Success!

July 11, 2010, 11:55 pm

On Sunday, July 11, at Explore Park in Roanoke, Va., the Gear Junkie’s inaugural “Treasure Hunt: Roanoke” drew more than 300 racers. Gear and prizes were piled in a tent. A Sylvan GO camper trailer — the event’s $6,995 grand prize! — was parked nearby. Music pumped from an amplifier. Race directors shouted from a bullhorn. And the Treasure Hunt participants — a group of all ages and skill levels — ran and hiked off from the start at the shout of “Go!”

40-foot arch welcomes racers to Treasure Hunt

What followed was a two-hour backwoods race in search of flags hidden in the ravines and twisting trails of Explore Park. A map and a compass (or a GPS) were the racers’ sole guides. They climbed steep trails and paced steps through thick woods to locate checkpoints scattered along a river and into the hills. Some racers found all the flags. Some found just three or four.

Registration area volunteers check punch cards at end of a race heat

Thanks to the Roanoke community (including our 15+ volunteers!), Pete Eshelman with Roanoke Outside, Ronny Angell and the staff of Odyssey Adventure Racing, to SylvanSport for its amazing grand prize GO camper, and to all the additional sponsoring gear companies who helped make this crazy and improbable “gear treasure hunt” event come to life! —Stephen Regenold

In the woods, in search of flags

Racer studying map

Pete Eshelman of Roanoke Outside (left) and Ronny Angell of Odyssey Adventure Racing at the Gear Central tent

Volunteer Lee Crawford takes a break in the gear central tent

Racers running into Treasure Hunt festival area after completing course; Gear Central tent and grand prize Sylvan Go camper in background

Inside of Gear Central tent

Gear Junkie Stephen Regenold (on bullhorn) with trailing local TV crew

Pete Eshelman, on-camera TV interview at Gear Central tent

“Barefoot” competitors: Racers in Vibram FiveFingers shoes

Plotting a course

Regenold inside Gear Central, preparing prize stash

Checkpoint! Racer Brock Foreman of Cape Elizabeth, Maine, at a flag

Flag to flag, through the woods. A racer assesses her route uphill

Punch your card at each checkpoint flag!

Prize winners: Deuter backpack and Thermarest camping pad

Grand Prize Winner Jason Nuss points to his prize: The $6,995 SylvanSport GO camper trailer

Orient the map and go!

Four-legged racer

Last-minute questions before the race begins

“Your Pain is our Pleasure!”

Finishers in line, staging area for Gear Central tent

Cook staff in action

Racer at a flag

Right on!

Orient the map, pick your route

Stamp the correct box at each flag

Checkpoint flag

Prize winner: Lazer bike helmet

Prize winner: Sierra Designs sleeping bag

Swag bag included Stuffits shoe deodorizers

Racer ogling gear central

Prize winners: Gerber multi-tool and Baladeo knife

The Gear Junkie’s “Treasure Hunt: Roanoke” event took place on July 11th, 2010. It was an outdoors adventure and gear hunt the likes of which had never before been seen in the world outdoors. All details on the Treasure Hunt are here: http://gearjunkie.com/treasure-hunt-roanoke

Shop the Gear Junkie store »

9 comments - Add Comment Permalink

Commenting on post : Treasure Hunt Success!

Posted by Ted - 07/12/2010 09:55 AM

We didn’t know what to expect and ended up having a great time! I sure hope the event is repeated next year!

Posted by Aleya - 07/12/2010 10:23 AM

Had no clue what we were in for, but sure had a good time. Even my dog participated! Such a good day! (though very sore at the moment…) Thanks!

Posted by Miranda - 07/12/2010 11:10 AM

Ditto on the no idea what to expect – but also had a fun time. Thanks! Hope you do this again next year!

Posted by Rachel - 07/12/2010 08:07 PM

What a great excuse to run around in the woods! I had a blast and I’m really hoping you do this again next year!

Posted by Paul - 07/13/2010 12:16 PM

Never had so much fun during an event in my life! Even without all the cool swag it would be awesome…with the cool swag it’s simply orgazmic! I’m lovin my Wenger swiss watch right now ($375 msrp eh hem)! It’s so classy I might just get a raise at work too!

Posted by Brock Foreman - 07/13/2010 03:34 PM

We had a BLAST! Please do one of these in Maine!

Posted by Debra - 07/13/2010 05:26 PM

Had a lot of fun, even though I did not know what I was doing! Also got a nice prize for not too many points. Love to try again for a better score!

Posted by Doug Falls - 07/14/2010 11:46 AM

Had a great time. Please come back so I can try the expert course.

Posted by Davey Arthur - 07/15/2010 07:05 PM

Had a blast! This definitely needs to be an annual event here in Roanoke!