Red Bull Rampage has been around since just before the time I started riding. I have grown up following it and it's been on the bucket list for some time now. This year I was able to make it through helping out Camelbak supply almost 15,000 gallons of drinking water to the athletes, diggers, coordinators, and spectators. We worked long days, but ultimately had a blast rallying Polaris Rzr's across the desert and stoking people out with free product and ice cold water. I had my camera for a little bit, so here is what I came out with!
Welcome to one of the gnarliest competitions known to man.
As soon as riders and dig crews arrived, some went straight to digging while others still had to scope out their line. 1 rider, 4 extra diggers, 1 week to find a way down.
Claudio Caluori realizing how big the canyon gap actually is. His course preview says a lot...
The top section is too gnarly for words. Something you can only fully appreciate seeing in person.
Hydrate or die! Its hot and dry out here.
Sunsets were pretty sweet out here.
Got the ranger fully loaded up with 90 gallons of filtered water.
Keeping it ice cold all day! This water station made it so the athletes didn't have to trek it to the bottom of the hill to rehydrate.
The retro packs were a hit and came in clutch for the diggers. Norbs is stoked!
The digging here is not easy work.
Jeremy Witek, Zink's main digger. This guy knows his stuff. Down to the degree.
Messere with the two types of water sources here. Both are precious.
Aggy has whips for days.
Andreu spinning just ahead of the Claw.
Just spinning through the desert. Looking into the lens.
Carson Storch was looking nice and flowy. Too bad he couldn't compete in qualifying, due to a previous ankle injury.
Carson throwing the first trick of the week on this 50 foot YT step up.
R Dog getting loosened up before throwing his first of many three's on the YT step up.
First three of the week looking good!
Measuring the drops. This one comes in at around 30 feet. Pretty "standard" for Rampage...
Kelly McGarry having fun up top! This dude is rad.
Dropping down from the hip heading into his hip drop! Nice and creative and fun looking line.
Aggy needs no motor.
Andreu cork 450? I think so!
Claudio was having a blast hitting Howey's step down line.
Again, Aggy getting sideways. Never gets old.
Semenuk walking up during practice.
Tom Van Steenbergen guinea pigged the canyon gap for the third year in a row. Due to changes of the lip and landing, he went the same speed as last year and came up short, compressing his body extremely unnaturally, as you can see in the photo. Due to this and another crash in practice, he was unfortunately also unable to compete.
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