Lost Tribes Search and Rescue Adventure Race #3- The Gunks
Running, orienteering, strategizing, and teamwork are just some parts of Adventure Racing. For the third year Lost Tribes Expeditions will host the Search and Rescue (S&R) Adventure Race in the Gunks.
The S&R race is a Sprint distance race- typically, a two- to six-hour race, featuring minimal navigation and occasionally involving games or special tests of agility or cunning. There are also 12 and 24-hour, Multi-day (36-48 hours), and Expedition, or three to 11 day, challenges in Adventure Racing.
The objective of the race is for each team to collect as many control points as they can using a map and sometimes a compass. Teams can have from 2 to 6 members. There is also a 3-hour individual category in the S&R race. Part of the adventure is that using a GPS is not allowed. Not that there’s cell service out there anyway.
So here’s how it works- each team is given a punch card with all the different objective’s numbers on them, a map, and latitude and longitude coordinates, and objective descriptions. Objectives are weighted with varied numbers of points dependent upon the difficulty reaching them. An objective in a field may only be worth 2 points while one down in a cave, at the top of a rock scramble, or in the middle of a creek, maybe worth 20 points. There are a hundred possible points. There is only one punch card per team so different team members can’t go off in search of objectives alone.
Erin and Eldar Spahic are the race directors for S&R. Erin says that this year’s race is spread out over a greater distance. Because of that it’ll much more difficult for teams to get all of the points.
“It’s higher mileage to get all the points,” Erin said. “It’s going to make it more challenging this year because you may or may not be able to get to all the points so then it becomes a strategy race. You have to decide what points you’re going to go for and what points you’re going leave”.
The course is set on the Mohonk Preserve and Minnewaska State park, mostly on carriage roads, but some single track too. However, there is no bushwhacking.
Teams and individuals may turn in their punch-card at any time for scoring, but to remain competitive teams must prepare to be on the course as long as possible and be able to quickly and strategically navigate to objectives.
Strategizing is just as important as map reading and speed, according to Erin.
“You have to map out the next move based on your team’s strengths,” Erin said. “It’s up to the captain to pull together the team’s strengths, there is a strategy”.
It’s a good idea for teams to arrive early and strategize on the course they plan on taking, according to Erin. In the Gunks there are a lot of natural obstacles. A description on the back of the map might say there is an objective in a tree in the north east corner of the field. Once the objective is located there is a hole punch and the teams punch their card. All of the hole punches are different so no cheating.
One major part of the strategy is planning the timing. The cut off is six hours. Teams lose points for each minute they’re late past the cut off. At 15 minutes late, the team is disqualified.
This is a self-supported race, participants should be prepared to cover their own hydration and nutrition needs for six hours of exertion. The weather for Saturday is looking to be in the high 80s. A basic gear list includes a minimum 3-liter water bladder, a compasses, 3 feet of rope, a bandana, sturdy trail/running shoes and food.
The S&R race is a Sprint distance race- typically, a two- to six-hour race, featuring minimal navigation and occasionally involving games or special tests of agility or cunning. There are also 12 and 24-hour, Multi-day (36-48 hours), and Expedition, or three to 11 day, challenges in Adventure Racing.
The objective of the race is for each team to collect as many control points as they can using a map and sometimes a compass. Teams can have from 2 to 6 members. There is also a 3-hour individual category in the S&R race. Part of the adventure is that using a GPS is not allowed. Not that there’s cell service out there anyway.
So here’s how it works- each team is given a punch card with all the different objective’s numbers on them, a map, and latitude and longitude coordinates, and objective descriptions. Objectives are weighted with varied numbers of points dependent upon the difficulty reaching them. An objective in a field may only be worth 2 points while one down in a cave, at the top of a rock scramble, or in the middle of a creek, maybe worth 20 points. There are a hundred possible points. There is only one punch card per team so different team members can’t go off in search of objectives alone.
Erin and Eldar Spahic are the race directors for S&R. Erin says that this year’s race is spread out over a greater distance. Because of that it’ll much more difficult for teams to get all of the points.
“It’s higher mileage to get all the points,” Erin said. “It’s going to make it more challenging this year because you may or may not be able to get to all the points so then it becomes a strategy race. You have to decide what points you’re going to go for and what points you’re going leave”.
The course is set on the Mohonk Preserve and Minnewaska State park, mostly on carriage roads, but some single track too. However, there is no bushwhacking.
Teams and individuals may turn in their punch-card at any time for scoring, but to remain competitive teams must prepare to be on the course as long as possible and be able to quickly and strategically navigate to objectives.
Strategizing is just as important as map reading and speed, according to Erin.
“You have to map out the next move based on your team’s strengths,” Erin said. “It’s up to the captain to pull together the team’s strengths, there is a strategy”.
It’s a good idea for teams to arrive early and strategize on the course they plan on taking, according to Erin. In the Gunks there are a lot of natural obstacles. A description on the back of the map might say there is an objective in a tree in the north east corner of the field. Once the objective is located there is a hole punch and the teams punch their card. All of the hole punches are different so no cheating.
One major part of the strategy is planning the timing. The cut off is six hours. Teams lose points for each minute they’re late past the cut off. At 15 minutes late, the team is disqualified.
This is a self-supported race, participants should be prepared to cover their own hydration and nutrition needs for six hours of exertion. The weather for Saturday is looking to be in the high 80s. A basic gear list includes a minimum 3-liter water bladder, a compasses, 3 feet of rope, a bandana, sturdy trail/running shoes and food.
Water objective 2015
Race directors Eldar and Erin are adventure racers themselves, as well as both being the in medical field, nurse practitioners- thus the search and rescue theme. The two have over 10 years’ experience in adventure races.
“We started off as adventure and endurance racers ourselves,” Erin explained.
The 2016 race will also have a surprise start and some search and rescue elements.
“There will be team dynamic stuff for the start and throughout the race. The race will require working together for extra points to bring the need for the team in,” Erin said.
Erin is quite pleased with this year’s course. “We’ve crawled and climbed into areas to get the points just right,” she said. “It’s a super stunning course”.
All races collect points toward the championship so while there will be some folks just out for a fun day outside there will be others that are really competing. Championship teams are coming from around the east coast. A $400 prize is up for grabs for the top team to go to the championship race.
Last year there was one local team and a local individual won that category. This year the local teams are built up a bit more, according to Erin.
Of course the course is a secret. Erin didn’t say much about it but this-
“I can’t give away too many things about the course but I’m smiling just thinking about it”.
Peak will have a team in the race; check back next week for firsthand accounts of adventure racing in the Gunks.
“We started off as adventure and endurance racers ourselves,” Erin explained.
The 2016 race will also have a surprise start and some search and rescue elements.
“There will be team dynamic stuff for the start and throughout the race. The race will require working together for extra points to bring the need for the team in,” Erin said.
Erin is quite pleased with this year’s course. “We’ve crawled and climbed into areas to get the points just right,” she said. “It’s a super stunning course”.
All races collect points toward the championship so while there will be some folks just out for a fun day outside there will be others that are really competing. Championship teams are coming from around the east coast. A $400 prize is up for grabs for the top team to go to the championship race.
Last year there was one local team and a local individual won that category. This year the local teams are built up a bit more, according to Erin.
Of course the course is a secret. Erin didn’t say much about it but this-
“I can’t give away too many things about the course but I’m smiling just thinking about it”.
Peak will have a team in the race; check back next week for firsthand accounts of adventure racing in the Gunks.
