It's remarkably scenic, a challenge both physically and mentally, but more importantly, it satisfies a primal urge.

It can be hard to pinpoint, hard to explain exactly, outdoor adventurer David Adlard says, but there's something incredibly enriching about running around in the mud, jumping through the forest and crossing bodies of water.

Surely, studies out there link human happiness and Mother Nature.

So conquering an adventure challenge surrounded by pine trees, dirt trails and pristine Lake Pend Oreille, well, that's the feeling of absolute bliss.

"There is for sure an aspect of getting in tune with nature," said Adlard, organizing Adventure Sports Week's seven days of adventure and trail races at the naturally-beautiful Farragut State Park June 2-9. "There's a need in people to get back and enjoy the outdoors. There's something, I guess, primal about mountain biking and trail running. It kind of fills another need in folks."

Then adding a backpack with food, a map and compass for direction and teammates for strategy and support to go against the elements and other teams can only be that much more invigorating.

It's called Adventure Racing, and Adlard, an ultimate racer and Ironman to boot, is in his fourth year hosting the races in North Idaho in an attempt to popularize the popular racing style in the Northwest.

It's working, as the organizer is shooting for 300 racers this year, up from around 230 last year.

The week's worth of a dozen races is actually spread out over two weekends, June 2, and then June 8 and 9. Classic trail runs in traditional racing distances like 5 and 10 kilometers, half and full marathons, even 50K and 52 miles are available for runners who want to stick to the somewhat-beaten path.

"Literally feet from the lake," Adlard said of the scenic courses he ranks at the top of what American races can offer. "There's a race in (Lake) Tahoe that could be as scenic, but it's certainly not more."

But for those who seek a more survivalist-type of race, pack your bags, ASW has that, too.

Teams of four can chose a six, 12 or 24-hour competition that will take them over the rugged terrain as they chase checkpoints on a map. No GPS allowed, only a map and compass. The farther away the target is, the more points it will be worth.

Any way they get there, is fine, so long as they get there. So teams will have to strategize proximity versus value - the elements, of course, will factor in to play.

"Nobody tells you the route you have to go," Adlard said. "You get a map with a bunch of check marks."

And that type of map points the way to filling those natural, primal urges.

Wanna join an adventure race?

Prices vary on the races. Online registration closes 1 or 2 days before the individual races; after that register on race day, or send an email to Dave@adventuresportsweek.com.

More info: http://www.adventuresportsweekidaho.com