The Transition: AR News and Updates
Friday, May 15, 2026
Celebrating
Shelley Johannesen
As we complete a difficult week mourning adventure racer and mountaineer Shelley Johannesen, we want to remind people of various events and resources.
A memorial project has been started and the organizers are requesting any photos or videos be uploaded to SmugMug.
A Buddhist cremation ceremony for Shelley on Sunday, May 17, (7:15pm Nepal time, 9am Eastern, 6am Pacific) in Kathmandu will be live-streamed for anyone who wants to observe. Please note that this is a traditional, open exposure ceremony.
Please read the embedded PDF on the EventLive streaming service site where Shelley's family and her partner Dave Ashley welcomes anyone to join them for the ceremony to remember and say goodbye to Shelley.
A GoFundMe campaign has been established supporting Tawa Sherpa, the Nepali guide injured during the avalanche. Please consider donating if able.
Shelley Johannesen, Sandwich Harbor Overlook, Namibia
USARA Executive Director Brent Freedland reflected on Shelley’s personality in a recent statement regarding the tragedy:
“As I close my eyes this morning and think of Shelley, I see that captivating smile, that uncontainable joy. I hear her signature laugh rolling around the transition area, her perfectly-timed words of wisdom, her ceaseless optimism, her positive encouragement. I remember the mother of three who was happy to also be the mother, sister, aunt, or cousin to countless others along her journey; for her many teammates, those she hiked and climbed with, the volunteers she worked with at events, Shelley became instant family and she cared for us all as if we were hers.”
Johannesen is shown at Everest Base Camp in a photo shared to Instagarm in 2022 (Photo: Dave Ashley)
The following resources might be useful to some. Please let us know if there is any way we can help you find additional support if you need it.
211 - National organization that helps connect people to their local resources
NAMI Helpline - National peer-support service via phone, a supportive listening resource
Warmline Directory - List of state-by-state "warm lines" (i.e., phone support for people not in crisis but needing to talk to someone who can connect you to additional resources)
Feel free to leave any remembrances about Shelley in the comments section below.
Upcoming USRA Sanctioned Events
Tracking Links by Adventure Enablers
Visit the Community Race Calendar
for More Races
May 2026
New River Rush, WV, May 16
3ROC’s Pay What You Want Adventure Race, PA, May 16
Rib Mountain Adventure Challenge, WI, May 23 (TRACKING LINK)
Brake the Habit, WV, May 30 **RQ**
Tug Hill Extreme -- 24hr, NY, May 30 **RQ**
June 2026
Rainer Raid -- 30hr, WA, Jun. 6 **RQ** (TRACKING LINK)
Summer Sizzle Adventure Race - Saturday, VA, Jun. 13 (REGISTRATION CLOSES 6/12)
Jason’s Adventure Bash, SC, Jun. 13
Summer Sizzle Adventure Race - Sunday, VA, Jun. 14 (REGISTRATION CLOSES 6/12)
Union Bay Weeknight Adventure Race, WA, Jun. 16
Endless Mountains Adventure Race, VT, Jun. 22-27 (TRACKING LINK)
Endless Mountains Lite, MA, Jun. 26
Stubborn Mule, WI, Jun. 27 **RQ** (TRACKING LINK)
July 2026
Maine Summer Adventure Race - 24hr, ME, Jul. 11 **RQ** (PRICE INCREASE AFTER 5/31)
Seven Bends Adventure Race, VA, Jul. 11
Pocket Gopher Extreme, MN, Jul. 17
ChattARnooga Adventure Race, TN, Jul. 18
The Longest Day -- 24hr, NY, Jul. 25 **RQ**
Teton Ogre -- 24hr, ID, Jul. 25 **RQ**'
August 2026
Cowboy Tough, WY, Aug. 7
After Dark Adventure Race, KY, Aug. 22
Quarry Mountain Quest, CO, Aug. 22
Shenandoah River Adventure Race, VA, Aug. 22 (PRICE INCREASE AFTER 5/22)
Creve Coeur 4 Adventure Race, MO, Aug. 29
Unbridled Women Adventure Race, KY, Aug. 29
September 2026
East Fork Challenge, OH, Sept. 12
Greenhorn Adventure Race, MD, Sep. 12
VentureQuest Adventure Race, MD, Sep. 12 (PRICE INCREASE AFTER 6/12)
Gold Rush Adventure Challenge, CA, Sep. 19 (REGISTRATION ENDS 9/12)
La Pine Loop Race Weekend, OR, Sept. 19-20
Blue Hills Adventure Race, MA, Sept. 19
La Pine Loop Family Race, OR, Sept. 20
Reservoir Ramble, IN, Sept. 20 (PRICE INCREASE AFTER 5/31)
Coastal Traverse, DE, Sept. 26 (PRICE INCREASE AFTER 7/26)
DASH Adventure Race, UT, Sept. 26 (PRICE INCREASE AFTER 6/1)
October 2026
Central Indiana Adventure (CIA), IN, Oct. 3 (PRICE INCREASE AFTER 8/31)
Wild Driftless Adventure Race, IA, Oct. 3 (PRICE INCREASE AFTER 7/31)
Fall Foliage Adventure Race, VA, Oct. 10 (PRICE INCREASE AFTER 7/23 )
USARA National Championships, OR, Oct. 23-24
Off Road Rage Adventure Race, MO, Oct. 24
November 2026
Rocktown Adventure Race, VA, Nov. 7
The Fig, KY, Nov. 7
December 2026
Rib Mountain Adventure Challenge—Winter Edition, WI, Dec. 5
Have an adventure story, race report or an article to share with fellow adventure racers? Send it to social@usara.com for inclusion in the Transition.
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