What, when and Why for 2026: Dec 2 2025 WT Newsletter

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THE WORD

Is out. Registration for 2026 Wilderness Traverse is live, and we are pumped to be returning to one of our favourite host regions, the Algonquin Highlands and Lion's Camp Dorset on September 26-27, 2026. We want to share a little of our thinking for WT 2026.

THE WHERE AND THE WHY

Race Director Bob Miller shared a little about our reasoning in this video below. After a successful 2025 adventure in the Sudbury Region, we were looking to come further south for 2026. We heard from racers in our post-race survey that you liked WT to host in other areas, so stay tuned for future years.

We love Lions Camp Dorset as a host site: the facilities are great, including options for cabins and onsite camping that allow for the race village vibe that you wanted.

The Algonquin Highlands Region also has tons of adventure options. Bob has been out testing and is excited for the proposed course. He thinks 90% of the course will be new for WT.

THE WHEN For 2025, we hosted in late July to avoid the World Championships. In the survey, some liked summer, some liked our traditional late September and a lot said "Doesn't matter when, we'll be there." (This makes us happy). Both have pros & cons, but for 2026, WT works best in late September. Adventure racing and fall colours!

THE SMART MOVE? Take advantage of EARLY ENTRY FEES and get your team signed up before the price goes up February 12th. WT2026 Registration Is OPEN

THE TRAINING (CAMP) Our AR training camp weekend is back for 2026! Spend a weekend learning & racing with Team Canada Adventure, with discussions, workshops and on-course experience. Whether you’re looking for adventure racing fundamentals to prepare you for your first overnight race, or an experienced team looking to extend to expedition racing, we can help. April 24-26 at YMCA Camp Pinecrest in Torrance, Ontario.

AR Camp Registration is OPEN

THE TRAINING (RACE) Want to train for an adventure race? Try racing. As you build your season up to WT in late September, be sure to get some early-season reps in at our Storm Adventure Race. This is a fun race weekend with something for everyone: the advanced course for teams wanting to push hard, while the shorter courses are perfect for families and beginners. Why not split your teams and invite some new racers to try the sport? For 2026, we're returning May 23 & 24 to Albion Hills Conservation Area just north of Bolton. Registration is now open at stormrace.ca.

THE FUTURE belongs to the young. We encourage our young WT racers to look into the Junior Adventure Racing World Championship, coming next July in Temiscamingue, Quebec just over the border. Teams of 2 preregister in either U18 and U25 divisions and you may be selected by CARA as Team Canada or can race as an open team. We may be biased, but we think WT prepares you to compete with the best from around the world.

LEARN ABOUT THE ARJWC

THE NETWORK As Contour Adventures and our portfolio of events continues to grow, (stormrace.ca; summit700.com), we've created a LinkedIn page to help connect with our community of racers, supporters and partners. Feel free to connect with us.

THE THANK YOU It's been quite a year - the ARWS NA Championships in an exciting new region with our biggest WT field ever. Watching members of our WT community compete around the world, including racing and supporting the world championships. Our community continues to grow and we appreciate both new WT racers and our longtime racers & volunteers who support us year over year. We wish you and yours a wonderful holiday season and a glorious adventure-filled 2026. As always, follow us on social and if you've got questions, get in touch.

- The Wilderness Traverse Team

THE ONE TO WATCH Want to get a taste of what adventure racing is like in late September in the Algonquin Highlands? This excellent created by Brad Jennings of Explore the Backcountry shows the region and terrain, gives a great insight into what Wilderness Traverse is like, and shares an inspiring story of one of our longtime racers.