I'd like to invite everyone to the Outdoor Adventure Relay for Darfur,
which will take place from April 19-27. The relay is entirely
non-competitive, and involves 9 legs: skiing, snowshoeing, cycling,
climbing, and paddling. Individuals are encouraged to sign up with
teammates for one leg, but are free to sign up for more. Sign up is
entirely free. The final legs of the relay involve a paddle down
Indian Arm into Deep Cove, linking up with a critical mass cycle along
the North Shore into downtown, to be greeted a rally (more like a
festival) with bands and speakers at the Art Gallery on Sun April 27th.

I (Jeremy Frimer) am an avid outdoor athlete, based in Vancouver. I've
made many first ascents in mountain ranges all around the world,
including in Pakistan, India, Peru, Alaska, on Mt. Logan, and in the
Coast Range. Like most people, I was minding my own business when
someone asked me if I'd watch the film "The Devil Came on Horseback"
about the crisis in Darfur. The film shocked me. I felt overwhelmed
with guilt about our inaction in the West. Now 5 years into the
crisis, between 200,000 and 400,000 people have been slaughtered, and
we continue to allow it to happen. So I joined up with a student group
at UBC that advocates for peace in Darfur and initiated this relay. My
goal is to try to bring together the outdoor community (of which I am
a part) with people from other walks of life (NGO work, musicians)
behind this cause, and bring Darfur into the public, media, and
government's awareness.

More information and sign up are available at
http://skiandbikefordarfur.blogspot.com

Looking forward to having you out!