
Nomad Rally Highlights: Week Three
By the end of Week Three the Nomad Teams were navigating unpredictable mountain weather, solving complex navigation challenges and practicing responsible land stewardship…
Week four is officially in the books, and the 2026 Nomad Rally is entering an exciting new phase. With nearly half the competition complete, teams are shifting from exploratory adventures into carefully planned, high-value campaigns designed to maximize every mile, every challenge, and every opportunity to climb the leaderboard. Leading the way once again is Team 117 Lucas, who continue to set the pace for the field. Their steady stream of Overland Stages and meticulous activity logging has made them the first team to surpass the 4,000-point milestone, an impressive achievement that highlights both consistency and careful planning. While they remain firmly in control of first place, there’s still plenty of Rally left to run, and with all their Overland Stages now complete, they will need to pickup points where they can to maintain that lead. The chase continues in 2nd Place, where veteran Team 101 Mercer is steadily closing the gap. After another productive week exploring the rugged landscapes of the American West, the Mercers continue to stack points through a balanced combination of Overland Stages, Rally challenges, and efficient route planning. Their methodical approach has kept constant pressure on the top competitors, setting up what promises to be an exciting battle as the summer progresses. The biggest move of the Week belongs to Team 112 Venrick, who returned to the 3rd place spot. After building a strong early foundation through PhotoQuests and Backcountry Tasks, the rookie team has shifted into high gear by launching their Overland Stages. Their rapid point accumulation has propelled them into 3rd Place, making them one of the fastest-rising teams in this year’s Rally and proving they are ready to challenge the veteran crews. With multiple teams now separated by only a few strong weeks of activity, the leaderboard remains far from settled. Long-distance travel plans are beginning to unfold, major expeditions are getting underway, and every completed stage has the potential to reshape the standings. As the Rally approaches its midpoint, consistency, strategy, and smart decision-making are becoming just as important as miles traveled. The Week Five Challenge takes a look at one of the most important skills every Offroad explorer can possess: Wilderness First Aid. When you’re hours—or even days—from the nearest hospital, knowing how to respond to an emergency can make all the difference. Weekly Challenge #5 introduces teams to the fundamentals of patient assessment, remote medical care, fracture stabilization, environmental emergencies, and the critical decision-making required when professional help may be far away. Just as important as recovery gear or navigation equipment, first-aid knowledge is an essential part of every safe backcountry journey. Whether traveling solo or with a convoy, preparation and sound judgment are often the most valuable tools you can carry. Good luck to all of our teams as they tackle this week’s challenge—and remember: the best adventure is the one where everyone returns home safely.

By the end of Week Three the Nomad Teams were navigating unpredictable mountain weather, solving complex navigation challenges and practicing responsible land stewardship…

Navigators must understand the landscape itself and determine whether the path shown on a screen truly reflects what exists on the ground…

As Week Two of the 2026 Nomad Rally unfolded, the true scale of this multi-state adventure came into focus…

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