2007 - Year 4 - Forbidden Forest Run

Rumor had it that several Capilano Commandos had been taken prisoner, never to be heard from again. Rumor had it that given the hostile environment, there would be no one brave enough to attempt such a physically-demanding and dangerous mission ever again.

Don't always believe the rumor mill! In fact, much planning went into devising a new route through the Forbidden Forest during 2007 that promised less likelihood of being captured. Several scouting missions were undertaken during the summer and fall to map alternative routes and to test the defenses of the defenders of the Forbidden Forest.

I have been informed by sources close to the Capilano Commandos that a foray into the Forbidden Forest Run was recently undertaken in stealth mode by an elite team of 3 veterans and one experienced newbie. In contrast to previous missions, this one was undertaken in broad daylight.

The Capilano Commandos are claiming an overwhelming success. Apparently, the route qualifies as an "ultra" and that it is considerably more difficult, but also less confrontational than previous routes. All Commandos are claiming "first bagger rights" for running a course that has never been run before.

Being captured was not an option! Special attention was given to making sure that any reflective labels were covered by black duct tape in case helicopters with searchlights or defenders with night vision goggles were called in to give chase. The Commandos dressed in black and carried enough emergency equipment and rations to survive for weeks in the wilderness if confronted by the defenders of the Forbidden Forest.

The majority of the route was covered in snow when the mission was attempted. This slowed the Commandos down somewhat, but did not discourage them. Traces of the the defenders of the Forbidden Forest could be clearly identified in the snow, but approaching vehicles were only heard once and were not spotted at all.

The mission was not without danger and surprise, however. An elk and 2 grouse startled the Commandos as darkness blanked the valley. All Commandos got soakers and dirty shoes in the quicksand... a trap that must have been installed since the last scouting foray. One Commando fell on the ice, but was saved from harm by his fat ass. The same experienced veteran twisted his ankle on the flats near the finish and was assisted to the medical tent by his comrades where he was quickly revived with popcorn and oatmeal stout.

Rumour has it that the next mission throught the Forbidden Forest will be in the summer of 2008. All are welcome to volunteer for the mission. Given the sensitive nature of the mission, however, only those who have signed up to volunteer will be notified of the date. Note: In order to limit the numbers of the Capilano Commandos, new recruits may be subjected to a severe hazing!

The Midnight Rambler

2006 - Year 3 - Forbidden Forest Run

Forbidden Forrest Run 2006 Starters

 

It seems the word is out on the Forbidden Forest Run!  There was no recruitment drive per se, yet over 30 people completed an application to join the Capilano Commandos in 2006.

 

Rumors on the street were that the course was a hair short of the posted 45K distance, so we moved the start.  An equal opportunity unit, the Capilano Commandos welcomed their first woman and a handful of Hashers this year.  It would prove to be a memorable evening!

 

After a short golf course tour, the trail heads steeply upwards.  The elite Capilano Commando unit almost sprinted up the hill.  The main pack followed at a more leisurely pace followed by the 2 cyclists who were to act as scouts when we entered the Forbidden Forest.

 

It was the perfect summer evening and spirits were high.  The main pack of runners reached the Forbidden Forest at roughly 90 minutes into the mission.  Two GPS confirmed that the revised distance to this point was 10K.

 

The "lead" bikers caught up to the last runners as night fell.  With 8 runners and 2 bikers in front, the main group of commandos paid little heed to the danger of this mission and began to spot satellites and chat about favorite runs.  Before we knew it, we'd run 35K.

 

As we approached the edge of the Forbidden Forest, a darkly clad figure came out of the bushes.  An LED light flashed from behind a stump.  A cry went out, "Look out... they're coming back!"  We recuperated the survivors of the elite group and quickly left the main trail.

 

We bushwhacked without the benefit of our headlamps.  The story of the ambush circulated in hushed tones.  It seemed as though the fastest of the elite unit was captured first.  A returning enemy patrol then captured 5 more of the elite squad.  Within striking distance of the perimeter of the Forbidden Forest, the bikers also rode directly into an ambush.  As the surviving members of the Capilano Commandos inched through the Forest to relative safety, a white wolf appeared only a meter away.

 

Once back on familiar trails, we mourned for our fallen comrades and picked up the pace to make sure we didn't miss last call.  Three keeners, insistent on making this run count as an "ultra", tacked on a few kilometers for good measure before regrouping at the Mosquito Creek.  Last man arrived in 5:30 running time and 30 minutes to last call.

 

Mission accomplished.  18 starters.  5 taken prisoner or missing in action.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

2005 - Year 2 - Forbidden Forest Run

2005 (Second Running) Forbidden Forest Run Starters

2005 Forbidden Forest Run Finishers Enjoying a Celebratory Pint

Injury and a lack of planning saw the second running of the Forbidden Forest run postponed until the late summer of 2005.  To shake things up a bit, we opted to set off on our mission earlier so as to not run the risk of missing last call at the pub.  We kept the same route, but added a solo Kamikaze bicycle rider who would ride scout in front of the runners with a walkie talkie and take the hit for the team, should it be required.

Given that the route had already been run and that veteran Capilano Commandos were on the mission, there was less need to consult the maps.  It took roughly 90 minutes to cover the 10K trek to the Forbidden Forrest.

The proper hardware was at hand to get not only the runners but the scout bike into the Forrest.  Would the patrol come at the same time?  Since it was daylight, would we know when a patrol was approaching?  Was the rumor about heat sensors and helicopter patrols being implemented true?  With these and other questions in mind, we set off into the Forbidden Forest.

In the light of day, the Forbidden Forest looked even more magical than in the night.  Our biker tried to stay a kilometer or so ahead of the runners with explicit instructions to warn us of any approaching patrols, be they overhead, on the trail or on foot.  10K, 15K, 20K, 25K into the Forrest the warning didn't come, so our biker held back with runners.  "Lights!" the call rang out and Capilano Commandos scattered into the dark forest.  False alarm.  We had reached the end of the Forbidden Forest and were given a fright by car lights from the city.

There was no race for the pub, as we were a couple of hours earlier and our destination had chanced to the Mosquito Creek.  Yeh... there would be time to have some burgers with our celebratory beer!

Mission accomplished.  100% finish rate with no casualties whatsover. 

2003 - Year 1 - Forbidden Forest Run

Inaugural (2003) Forbidden Forest Run Starters

2003 Forbidden Forest Run Finish Line

This, the first year of the Forbidden Forest Run, was full of mystery and excitement.  Where would we start?  Where would we finish?  Where would we go and what dangers were waiting for us on this top secret mission?

Since none of us had run this route, we often stopped to consult the topographical maps.  Arriving at the Forbidden Forest itself, we had to discover a way in.  Once in the Forest itself, we had to be constantly vigilant for motion detectors, helicopter and Humvee patrols, hidden cameras and all manner of booby traps. 

As night fell upon the Forbidden Forest, a sharp call of, "It's a light...hit the dirt," rang out and all 6 Capilano Commandos leaped from the trail impaling themselves on sticks, scraping their hands and shins on the rough rocks.  But they were not discovered.  A muffled cheer rang out and the mission continued with 4 commandos running forward and 2 running backwards to keep watch for the returning patrol vehicle.

It was now total darkness, but the Commandos ran without their headlamps.  Several kilometers down the trail, dark shadows were seen milling about ahead.  Was it bears... or worse, an ambush?  Actually, it was a road sign and an outhouse, but the adrenalin level was definitely running at a high.

"Hit the dirt!"  Again, we leapt from the trail into the inky darkness, but this time into a patch of prickle bushes.  Again, the patrol passed without discovering our presence. We exchanged high-5s and soldiered on.

At roughly 37K into the mission, we rounded a corner and came to lights. "It's an ambush!" and we scattered, only to learn that these were the lights of civilization at the far edge of the Forbidden Forest.

Once back onto familiar territory, our pace picked up and mission became one of making last call at the pub.  We arrived at the Avalon at roughly 12:30 and managed to get in 2 quick rounds before closing.

Mission accomplished.  100% success with no losses save a few scrapes and bruises.