Day One of Columbia Sportswear's #Omniten Omni Games in Park City, UT

#Omnigames: My Day-by-Day Personal Account of the Winter Games

On game day, we arrived in Park City UT and quickly learned we'd be competing in teams of two in the highly anticipated #Omnigames. Sponsored by Columbia Sportswear, the top 5 teams would win an epic ten-day adventure of #Tryingstuff with the company. The first day of the #Omnigames kicked off with 5 extreme outdoor events; it was a test of mind, body, and gear. It was a level playing field with a full spectrum of events. Most challenges involved relying on our outdoor knowledge, survival skills, physical endurance, and appropriate outdoor gear. I was ecstatic to be paired with partner Heidi Kumm, a hardcore runner with arguably the best sense of humor imaginable. The competition was off to a great start!

Needle in a Haystack

Event one was "Needle in a Haystack." This game was appropriately named. After an announcement about the #Omnigames events and scoring, challenge one began with a quick orientation on how to use avalanche beacons to preform a search in deep snow. Team "Cool Beans" was itching to get outside as soon as we learned what the event entailed. We had both used the supplied avalanche equipment before, and we were stoked to start our search. Although we recovered our "needle" fairly quickly, that does not speak to our skills in an avalanche. Let's just say that we were relieved that once we located the "avalanche victim," it was just a snow boot.

Our House

Our second challenge was called "Our House." This event put our survival skills and teamwork to the test. As we stood in a whiteout in the middle of the Utah forest, we were told we had 20 minutes to build a survival shelter as we were lost and stranded overnight. Our shelter's perimeters were that it had to be large enough for two people, sustain zero-degree temperatures, hold under snowfall, and stand up to 30 mph winds. The tools available for this challenge were two aspen logs, a shovel, a rope, and a small tarp. We tied a rope between two trees and draped our tarp across it as a tent. We kept our shelter low to the ground, and blocked wind by facing our tarp in the appropriate direction. We rolled our tarp edges underneath the aspen logs on either side of the shelter, then insulated the tarp on both sides with snow. As night and our time limit approached, we finished packing outside walls for any added insulation we could get in there. Thankfully, our shelter passed the test, and we survived the mission! I have a sneaking suspicion we would have had to heavily rely on body warmth though.

 

Dog Days of Winter

The third event was called "Dog Days of Winter." This event was literally a dream come true for me. We were taken dog sledding with professional mushers, their Iditarod-trained sled dogs, and given an amazing glimpse into the world of dog sledding. Our guide was kind enough to share his stories, his process, and his insight into this incredible sport. We learned so much about the history of dog sledding as well as stories from the Iditarod, and most importantly, got to know the dogs. We got to hear about the remarkable bloodlines, the extreme lifestyle of dog sledding, and the labour of love therein. The dogs howled with anticipation as the guides got the sleds for departure. The dogs began to jump high in the air, as each one was hooked into their line position. A simple command from the musher to the lead dog, and we immediately began moving down the hill. The dogs were charging so fast it seemed as though pulling our sled gave them the utmost pleasure in life. The ride was quite serene; there were only the faint sounds of footsteps and breath amongst the quiet and still snowfall. It was absolutely a bucket list experience.

Snowmobile Drive-By

The fourth challenge was Snowmobile Drive-By. This challenge was one of my favorite of the day as I love anything that involves a snowmobile. Teams of two were given a map and a set of coordinates, and had to navigate through the snowy terrain using only a snowmobile. The catch? We had to complete the course in the least amount of time, while also avoiding obstacles set up along the way. I have to say, it was an adrenaline rush and a lot of fun!

 

Hot Chocolate Run

Our fifth and last event of the day was named "Hot Chocolate Run." This event was set up on a snowy hillside in whiteout conditions. Team "Cool Beans" was determined to crush it no matter the challenge. The task involved starting a fire using a magnesium block, a knife, wood sticks, and newspaper. Once a fire was started, we were to boil water and make cocoa. My primary job was the nest maker and human wind block. I was ecstatic I had a shell on in addition to my Columbia Turbo Down Jacket to use as a wind shield. Thanks to my partner, her dedication, and her power crouch/ legs of steel, we were able to get the fire going. We couldn't keep it burning long enough, but we tried hard even up till the last moment on the clock. Today we learned a lot about ourselves, wilderness survival, and the skills essential to cut it in the great outdoors.

Overall, the #Omnigames was an unforgettable experience. Not only did we get to test our skills and endurance in extreme outdoor conditions, but we also got to bond with our teammates and other participants. And of course, the prospect of winning a ten-day adventure with Columbia Sportswear was the cherry on top. Can't wait for next year's #Omnigames!

Watch some of our #Omnigames moments here