Raid the North Extreme travels to a different and unique part of Canada each year not just to explore the diverse and spectacular wilderness of the region but to experience its rich history as well. Raid the North Extreme 2002 took teams on a Journey through the Yukon following the storied travels of the First Nations of the area (CLICK HERE for the story of the Yukon racecourse). Prior to the race competitors were welcomed to the traditional territory of the First Nations by their Chiefs and told the stories of the lands they would be visiting. After the race they were treated to a traditional First Nations "Potlach" celebration with moose stew and berry deserts harvested and prepared locally. For many, the event was much more than just a race - it was truly experiencing the Yukon.

Raid the North Extreme 2003: On the Path of the Voyageurs

In the 17th and 18th century the fur trade was the engine of the Canadian economy and the canoe was the primary mode of travel through the rugged wilderness. The Voyageurs were hardy explorers who established canoe routes through Canada. They criss-crossed the continent in birchbark canoes measuring up to 25 feet in length that could carry as much as 2 tons. Traveling in groups of three or four vessels they would average about 50 kilometres per day including overland portages. They survived on a diet of pemmican - a mix of dried meat and melted fat mixed with berries.

For them the Quetico area represented a major obstacle in connecting the west with the Great Lakes region. Finding the easiest route and avoiding getting lost through the glacier sculpted terrain and seemingly endless maze of waterways was a legendary task. Eventually they established two major routes through the region, the Kaministiquia River Route and the Grand Portage Route.

The strength and stamina of the Voyageurs is legendary and stories of their exploits and adventures live on today. Raid the North Extreme 2003 will explore this unique history and expose competitors to the challenges of traversing the heart of the North American continent as they follow the Path of the Voyageurs.