Upon reaching CP 7 teams received the final two UTM (Universal Transverse Mercator) points, indicating the locations of CP 9 and CP 10. Up until this time teams did not know the length or route of the entire kayak leg, making planning and preparation more difficult. With their additional CPs plotted, Team Rubber Chicken led the way down the short river portion and out into Lake Cle Elum with the rest of the teams following in their wake. Once on the lake teams battled the ever changing wind conditions while paddling to CPs 8, 9, 10 and then back to the transition area were they finished the kayak, but not without a brief portage of their inflatable Sevylor kayaks.

With dusk closing in and a long mountain bike ahead Team Rubber Chicken had relinquished their lead to not only Seattle One AR, but also to Dirtworld.com. Rubber Chicken was now in third with the ever persistent Team Montrail maintaining the fourth position. Once on their mountain bikes teams enjoyed a sedate 4 mile road bike until the turn off to CP 12 and CP 13. From there participants were awakened to the reality of the TRIOBA and began their climb up, up, up to Hex Mountain. From the top of Hex Mountain competitors could see Lake Cle Elum below as they followed the single track to CP 14.

Seattle One AR checked in first at 9:04, followed by Team Dirtworld.com at 9:26, Team Montrail capturing the 3rd position at 10:17, and Team Rubber Chicken at 10:20. Teams then proceeded through a maze of roads and trails to reach CP 15. After reaching CP 15 participants were treated to long stretches of single track, biking over slick rock, hopping over small limbs and negotiating hairpin turns, a rewarding finish to a tough race.

	"...participants were treated to long stretches of single track, biking over slick rock, hopping over small limbs and negotiating hairpin turns..."

The final TRIOBA race took place in Snoqualmie Pass, Washington on July 12th. With the sun rising over Lake Keechelus teams began the race heading off in three different directions, confusing some of the less experienced teams.

Teams quickly approached the first challenge in the 15-mile trek, passing through the historic 2.5 mile Iron Horse/John Wayne Snoqualmie railroad tunnel. Team Dirtworld.com led the way arriving at CP1 in first with Teams Seattle One AR, Montrail and Team OCN following closely behind. After CP1 teams encountered their first navigational test heading off trail and towards the summit of Mt Catherine.

With a quick stop at CP2 teams made the ascent to the peak of Mt. Catherine at 5100 feet. Team Dirtworld.com continued to blaze the trail with teams Seattle One AR and Montrail hot in pursuit along with teams RW Smith/WAR and Georgetownbeer.com mixing in with the top teams.

With the top teams bombing down from the summit, a member of Team Seattle One AR made an unfortunate foot placement and badly twisted an ankle. After stabilizing the injury and realizing their hopes at the TRIOBA championship were dashed, Seattle One AR courageously continued on.

Dirtworld.com was the first team to check into CP7, also a transition area. After refueling and grabbing more gear competitors began the paddle down to CP8. Arriving first at CP8 at 11:08 was Dirtworld.com, followed at 11:20 by Montrail, 11:31 by RW Smith/WAR, 11:34 by Seattle One AR hanging tough, and Team DB Coopers right behind at 11:35.

AT CP8 teams beached their kayaks and made their way into the woods for a short bushwhack through dense brush and undergrowth to CPs 9 and 10 and then returned to their kayaks at CP11. Coming out of the woods and down to the kayaks Montrail now led the way with RW Smith/WAR taking second followed by Dirtworld.com and entering the mix of the top teams were Team Which Way Out and Team X-tremely nuts in fourth and fifth position respectively.