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| 15th Annual |
| Elk Mountains Grand
Traverse |
| Crested Butte to Aspen |
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| Updates in bold red, effective
2/8/11. |
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The Elk Mountains Grand Traverse is a backcountry ski
race with very limited support. The equipment you carry
into the backcountry is crucial. Each team is
required to be independently prepared for a 24-hour
bivouac. Due to the length of this course, the
varying conditions and the number of racers, all
participants must understand and be prepared to be
self-supporting in any and all situations.
With this in mind, the race has a Mandatory Equipment List. We will check
this equipment in detail during the registration
process on Friday morning. Over the years, this
Mandatory Gear Check has evolved, and we hope that it
will continue to become more and more efficient and
more and more consistent. In order to do this, we need
the understanding and cooperation of the participants.
The process will take about two and a half hours. The
better prepared you are, the more quickly the process
will be finished. Here’s how it will work this
year:
Immediately following the Pre-Race Meeting,
equipment inspection/judging will begin. We will judge teams in order of
when you show up to registration. First
come-first judged; you will get a number after you
register. Spaces will be assigned to
each team and the judges will move from space to space.
At registration you will receive specific instructions
and a diagram on how to set up your equipment in your
space. All your gear will need to be visible to the
judges when they arrive at your assigned space. In
other words, your gear will need to be unpacked! This
will greatly speed the inspection/judging process. If
you are not fully prepared when the judges arrive, the
judges will move to the next team in line and return at
the end of the process.
Judges decisions are final! If our
judges consider you or your teammates gear to be
inadequate you will not be allowed to race. This
year’s Mandatory Equipment
List is as specific as possible, but there will
inevitably be subjective judgments on our part. We ask
that you respect these judges and understand that it is
your safety and the safety of our volunteers on the
course that is paramount.What we ask you to pack isn't
necessarily all you have to bring. Be smart
and backcountry-wise!
If you have items that you are “not sure
about” and want to have them pre-judged,
there will be a station at the registration table
(before the gear check) for questions.
Before you arrive you can also submit
questions via email to lisac@alpineer.com. (No phone calls,
please.)
Your water containers do not need to be full, but
you must have them. You must also bring your
food.You are required to have all of your race
equipment at the gear check. This includes your
skis and poles. Teams with missing equipment
will be required to complete a second gear check at
10:30 pm. Under no circumstances will any racers be
allowed on the course without all of the items on
the minimum required equipment list.
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IMPORTANT MESSAGE! NO
EVACUATIONS WILL BE PROVIDED FOR RACERS WITH BROKEN
EQUIPMENT. NO OUTSIDE SUPPORT IS ALLOWED.
This is a self-supported race. You will be
disqualified if you accept outside support. If you
lose your equipment, you cannot rely on other racers
or organizers and volunteers to find it. You must
find it yourself, or quit the race.
This list is a mandatory gear list. It's broken down
between individual and team/shared requirements.
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Individual Equipment:
Avalanche Beacon:Avalanche beacons must be
worn and on at ALL times! Beacons must be on the
457kHz frequency. A beacon check will occur at final
check-in (just before the start) and randomly on the
course.
Avalanche Shovel: Minimum blade size of
9” x 9”. Shovel must have a handle.
Dedicated Probe Pole:This is a dedicated
probe, not your ski poles!
Skis: No
split boards!! Skis of any type can be used. You
must finish with the gear that you start with.
Boots: Blisters are the primary reason racers
can’t finish.
Poles: STURDY ones with removable baskets, you
do not want them to break or lose a basket!
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Note: Due to the extreme nature of the
route and the certainty of variable spring conditions
you'll encounter, the race organizers strongly
recommend the use of a sturdy ski with at least a 3/4
metal edge. Boots and bindings designed for ungroomed
backcountry terrain is absolutely necessary. This is
NOT a Nordic race!!!!
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NO EVACUATIONS WILL BE PROVIDED FOR RACERS
WITH BROKEN EQUIPMENT. And no outside support is allowed.
This is a self-supported race. You will be disqualified
if you accept outside support. If you loose your
equipment, you must not rely on other racers or
organizers to find it. Find it yourself or quit the
race. |
Skins: Good quality climbing skins, cut to fit
your skis.
Ski Leashes: Required to descend Aspen Mountain
to the finish line.
Equipment Repair Kit (minimum required): Spare pole basket,
spare binding that match the ones on your skis, screwdriver/posi-driver,
and screws to replace binding, 2' of duct tape, 3' of baling wire, and 3'
of parachute cord. You may share a compatible spare binding with your teammate.
Sleeping Pad: Minimum 20" x 48" x 1/2".
Pad must be closed cell foam. Yoga mats
are not acceptable. Thermarests may be used if you also
carry a Thermarest repair kit. No air pads.
Sleeping Bag: Rated to 0F°
A reasonably warm
down jacket and thick heavy weight fleece pant can be substituted
at judge's discretion.. No Poly
Puffys!!
Windshell & Pants: To start and/or carry with you.
Extra Clothing (minimum required): Base layer
(top and bottom), spare glovs/mitts, socks, and warm
hat. The key word is "extra"! If you fall in the river
you'll need something warm & dry to put on! It
happens, and will happen again!
Bivy Sack: A two-person bivy can be shared
between teammates. Individual, high-quality Mylar "space
bags" (not blankets) can be substituted for bivy sacks at
the judge's discretion (based on the rest of your warmth
strategy).
Headlamp: Spare batteries (shared) and a spare
head lamp, each.
Eye and skin protection:
Sunglasses, goggles and sunscreen.
Water and Food: Racers must carry ample food and
water for 24 hours. 100-oz minimum water. Aid stations
will have limited food supplies that should be
supplemental only! DO NOT rely on aid stations for
water! Again, this is a backcountry race
with limited support and you MUST be prepared for a
24-hour bivouac.
Shared Equipment:
First Aid Kit: You must carry a substantial first
aid kit. It must include 6 steri-strips, triangular
bandages with pin, two 4x4 gauze pads, surgical ABD or
sanitary napkins (or some means to manage heavy
bleeding), and any prescription meds you may require.
Blister Kit: In addition to your first aid kit
you must have a significant blister kit with at least
two sheets of mole skin, medical tape, and alcohol
swabs.
Stove: A commercial quality stove is required.
You may be required to demonstrate its ability to melt snow.
A full fuel container, or six solid fuel blocks. Matches
and/or lighter to start stove and fire.
Cooking Container: A quality container for
melting snow into drinking water. It must hold at least
20 oz of water.
Navigation: You must carry a map of the course
and a compass. Topo maps can be ordered online from The Alpineer
COSAR Hiking Permit: Available at registration.
REMEMBER, NO EVACUATIONS WILL BE PROVIDED
FOR RACERS WITH BROKEN EQUIPMENT. |
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