Walhalla Youth Attempt State's Toughest Race

Hunter Soli (17) and Jesse Schurman (16) were part of a four man team that attempted to complete Extreme North Dakota's END-AR 24, a 24 hour adventure race, on August 25th and 26th.  Adventure racing requires team work and plenty of endurance as teams navigate their way using map and compass to a series of checkpoints on a course that remains a mystery until race day.  The pair were plunging in the deep end with END-AR 24 - an event covered over 50 miles of rugged and remote terrain in the Pembina Gorge region and took most tea

16 year old challenges END-WET

16 year old Braydon Love from Jamestown was the youngest swimmer to take on the mighty Red River of the North during the inaugual Extreme North Dakota Watersports Endurance Test (END-WET).  The event was put on by ENDracing, Ground UP's partner organization, and pitted boaters, stand up paddle boarders, and, yes, swimmers against 27 miles of river.  Starting in East Grand Forks, MN, and finishing in Oslo, MN, Braydon and his team-mate Ben Smith, swapped miles as they raced for victory in the relay team category.

We're official!

Jim Grijalva, Vice Chairman, recieved a letter from the IRS yesterday that begins 

We are pleased to inform you that upon review of your application for tax exempt status we have determined that you are exempt from Federal income tax under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.....

Woo hoo!  It was an interesting experience in patience and the specificity of language, but we made it.  Now we can get serious - so stay tuned!
 

Adventure Kids

Last weekend brought one of the premiere adventure events in the state to the Red River Valley - ENDracing's END-SPAR - a six and a half hour adventure race located in and around turtle river state park.  The event sold out months ago and drew experienced adventure athletes from throughout the region and Southern Canada.  Six 'kids' joined the hundred odd adults to test their mettle against a tough course that involved mountain biking, trekking, pack-rafting,  and mystery challenges and map and compass navigation.

Youth Climbers Represent!

Ten young superstars from the climbing club took part in the semiannual climbing competition at Northern Heights Rock Gym in mid April.  While all the climbers deserve recognition for their achievements, special accolades go to Asaliah, Emmit, and Keegan who placed first, second and third respectively in the youth category.  Several of the club members, despite their qualifying by age for the youth category, decided to enter in the intermediate category and go head to head with climbers twice thier ages.

Climbing Club fills up!

The second session of our climbing club is bursting at the seams and registration is now closed!  We've got a good mix of new and returning climbers and even one person driving up from Fargo every Monday to join our band of budding ascensionists.   We'll keep you posted on future dates, and in the meantime, make sure to check out our youth adventure racing camp happening this summer from June 4th to June 7th.  

Youth racer makes the Iceman Podium!

Paul Schafer, a seventeen year old Central High School student, fought a hard battle at the third annual ColdAvenger Iceman Triathlon last weekend (Feb. 25th) and made his way onto the podium for an impressive third place finish.  Facing seasoned competitors from Grand Forks, Bismarck, Fargo, and even Minnesota and Canada, Shafer -a top cross-country runner - passed UND law professor Joe Vacek during the last half mile of the run.  Vacek had more than a four minute lead going into the three mile run  and commented, "he just came out of nowhere!".

Altru Health System teams up with GUP

Altru Health System has generously donated $1000 to provide need based scholarships for GUP's summer adventure camp - a four day camp slated for the 11th through the 14th of June.  Campers aged 11-15 will learn map and compass navigation, mountain biking skills, pack-rafting, and teamwork over the four days. The rigorous schedule will culminate in an overnight stay in Turtle River State Park on Wednesday night and a real adventure race experience the following morning.  For more info, email camp@groundupadventures.com

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