Catching up With Rich 'King Richard' Milburn

I met Rich four years ago when I volunteered at Karen Lundgren and Paul Romero's West Coast Adventure Racing event in San Diego County. Later that year, Rich and I were students at Karen and Paul's adventure race training camp in Big Bear, Calif. Karen and Paul led us through a 24-hour course design, but it took us 29 hours to finish. After you suffer with someone for so many hours, there's a bond there that's undeniable. Rich volunteers at a lot of races, all over the world. It was great to see him at the remote bike drop on the second afternoon of Primal Quest. Instead of heading to the next TA to spend the night, I decided to stick close to Rich, and his checkpoint assistant Martin Mylet. Rich is still living in L.A., planning his life around adventure rather than work. He got a haircut, which is kinda surprising, and he cleaned up his beard, which is even more surprising. It was great to catch up, Rich. Thanks for the hospitality!

My Dear Friends DART/nuun

I've been covering Seattle-based adventure racing team DART-nuun (there's two of 'em in that blue boat) for four seasons now, and they never cease to impress me. Their commitment to a common goal is rather uncommon, I believe. They are absolutely inspirational, and I am proud to be counted as one of their friends.

I'm a Believer

Everything I see in Southwest Montana's Gallatin Valley is so stunningly beautiful, it deserves a second look. Here's a shot I saw this morning when I was supposed to be taking pictures of Primal Quest adventure racers being flushed down the Gallatin River in flood stage. In life, you gotta take time to smell the roses, or, as the case may be, to photograph the Soldier's Chapel at sunrise with Big Sky's Lone Peak in the background. It's enough to make a believer out of anyone.

Behold, the Bitton Throne

This is that perfect leather chair in the Huntley Lodge at Big Sky Resort that I've been using as a mobile office since I arrived in Montana to cover Primal Quest. I love this chair. If it would fit in my Honda Civic, I would take it with me everywhere. It is the thing I will miss most when the race moves farther and farther from this glorious Huntley Lodge, and I am forced to find other internet arrangements.

Now That's Just Nasty

That right there is the left foot of adventure racer John Jacoby after he completed the first HALF DAY of Primal Quest Montana, an endurance event that will cover more than 500 miles during seven to 10 days. I'd be horrified to have feet like this on the first day of a 10-day race. But Jacoby says it'll be OK. Feet dry out. The race goes on.

Mike Bitton, Mike Bitton, Your Media Credentials Have Arrived

Well lookie here! Took a stroll into Primal Quest headquarters, introduced myself to Media Director Kraig Becker, signed away my life on one waiver, my intellectual property on another, and pow! Got this nifty new necklace that makes me 100% official!

Bitton Beat 'Em to the Punch

After shooting the start of Primal Quest Montana, I returned to the lovely, large leather chair in the lobby of Big Sky Resort's Huntley Lodge to pull photos off my CF card and get them up on the blogs I'm here to produce. The Checkpoint Zero blog update was pretty quick, and the Merrell one was so quick I decided to do two! Looking at the official Primal Quest website, it appears I beat them to the punch. My stuff went live first!