Says Jack Crawford, an adventurer who has been lost and likes it: "I think the problem is that we have this need as humans to use a compass. The knowledge of our location and direction gives us a sense of safety. It is very uncomfortable for humans to throw away the compass, and just go wandering. We have a tendency to give in to our fears, and are afraid of being lost. I think that many of us are looking for that sense of direction from politics, and rules, and controls. So when we ask, 'what is the future of AR,' instead of answering 'My compass says we go this direction, and I make the rules,' perhaps we should answer, 'No matter where you go, there you are. Just don't drink the water.' Then we may realize that we are in adventure racing so that we may get lost from time to time."

Mark Macy, a wily veteran of six Eco-Challenges, echoes those sentiments: "The real purpose of adventure racing is to get away from all the BS in our everyday lives and spend some time in the woods. I personally will never have anything to do with any governing body in the sport. I left triathlon in the late '80s because it became too regulated and political and became an ultra-runner because of its simplicity, its lack of organization. As far as I know, nobody has any intent to organizing that sport. If AR goes the way of triathlon, I guess I can go back to Ultras. To those of you who need organization, more rules and regulations, perhaps you should become lawyers and leave the rest of us alone." Ironically, Macy is himself an attorney.