In addition to providing
a quality wilderness race experience for entrants, Elk
Mountains Grand Traverse race organizers make safety
of all participants and minimal impact on the environment
top priorities. The unusual start time is scheduled so
that entrants will reach the high point of Star Pass
(12,303 feet) before the warmth of the day increases
the likelihood of avalanches.
Because of the remote route through the Elk Mountains, each team of two is required
to carry enough food and supplies to sustain themselves for 24 hours. Before
the race start, the team’s packs are checked for essential gear such
as bivy sacks, stove, fuel, avalanche beacons, rescue gear, first aid and repair
kits.
More than 40 support team members are present in the
backcountry during the race to insure skier safety.
Some crews are out in the backcountry for a week before
the event, assessing avalanche conditions and moving
supplies into remote camps. Local pilots also assist
by airdropping supplies into alpine basins.
The cost of entering the Elk Mountains Grand Traverse is $250 per team, with
a registration limit of 125 teams. It is important to enter early as the race
quota fills fast.
Gunnison-Crested Butte is nestled among almost two million acres of pristine
wilderness in southwest Colorado. Winter sports enthusiasts know the area for
its world-class alpine skiing and snowboarding at Crested Butte Mountain Resort,
snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice fishing. Gunnison-Crested
Butte is also a haven for outdoor summer activities. In the warmer months, visitors
can choose from recreational activities such as hiking, rock climbing, mountain
biking, boating, whitewater rafting, kayaking, fly-fishing, camping and horseback
riding. Year-round visitors enjoy distinctive restaurants, unique shops and stimulating
cultural opportunities, and have a wide range of lodging options — from
rustic inns to guest cabins and bed-and-breakfasts to full-service resort hotels.
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