PANGORGE 2022 - A FIRE FOR THE OLD GODS

Just before dawn, the frigid night sky still gleams with stars. A light across the river, halfway up the ridge, imperceptibly bounces, moving higher. Possibly some hunter making their way to a hide, or maybe the spirit of Pan roaming in the crisp dark. Above the horizon a meteor burns a path long and bright. It fades into the east which now barely shows of the coming sunrise. One last glimpse of the void before we’re blessed with the rising sun and another day in the light. After today’s events are finished, we’ll face the cosmos again. Sunny and cold for now. A fire for the gods will burn all weekend.

The extents of the map were expanded for 2022, and some major incentive was given to those skilled in multi-modal transportation. Cold air from the north crept up and caused some major no-show action from the list of 30 applications. Only 18 people gained the vertical position and braved the chilly morning with us, ready to be shot into the universe on a river gorge mission.

Luke Swab, now two-time champion, secured a comfortable victory over would be competitors with his superior water craft, warm soup, and skillful course selection. After resolving some gear and kit malfunctions early in the day, Shawn Feagin pulled into a second place spot after previous year’s DNF. Talk about zero to hero! Working hard for the podium, first time racer Tyler Waclawski pounded out over 100 miles on the bike securing the 3rd place spot without any water travel, proving Pangorge is anybody’s race!

Honorable mentions for this year included Stacey Gunnoe’s course time max out by finishing in the last seconds before sunset, Reed Minton’s valiant all foot-travel course selection, and Lucien Scott’s ability to push through the pain and put a time on the board in spite of injury!

BIG THANKS to all those who came out in support. GOOD JOB EVERYONE!!!