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2013 SNIPER ADVENTURE CHALLENGE

#108
Zak Smith said:
Yes, there will be water at the cache point and many other (but not all) manned checkpoints (challenges). It will not be cold. Not all checkpoints will be manned.
Click to expand...

I'm only partially questioning your judgment here...I know that last year a number of teams (not including mine) ran out of water between checkpoints that had water...I also think that you told us beforehand which checkpoints would have water, so maybe they should have planned better. But - given that the potential for heat casualties will probably be higher this year - is there a reason why water shouldn't be available at all checkpoints?

I would also like to say that if 30+ SPOT trackers work perfectly for 2 days, it will be a miracle. I have used multiple examples and every single one has failed when I needed it.
 
#109
Planning and having an accurate assessment of one's and one's partner's capabilities and requirements are big parts of this event. Last year our layout had a relatively short maximum distance between water points (whereas some MCP's were fairly close together)-- and there was discussion of this in the thread prior to the event. And you're right, we did list exactly which MCP's would have water as well as where "emergency water" (ie, that which would probably need filtering/treatment) was located. Many teams planned correctly for carrying and taking on additional water based on their consumption and the locations of the water tanks. Some did not. We actually had water available at more MCP's than we listed on the route sheet. Overall, the event has the same risks as doing the same activities on one's own -- and it should be approached with the same gravity -- however, we do have some additional infrastructure in place to potentially help people out if they get in trouble.

As far as the SPOTs go, I'd call it a miracle if they worked 100% too. The same is true for radios. But they give us one more tool to help locate and/or aid teams during the event. And they allow friends, family, and fans of the event to track teams' progress from home.
 
#110
I've got to back Zak a little, if you can't plan water consumption you shouldn't be doing something like this. You don't just decide overnight to do a adventure race just to "see what happens". If your not training, your wrong, if your not planning, your wrong. that is just asking for trouble and the possibility of hurting yourself.
 
#111
vuurwapen said:
I'm only partially questioning your judgment here...I know that last year a number of teams (not including mine) ran out of water between checkpoints that had water...I also think that you told us beforehand which checkpoints would have water, so maybe they should have planned better. But - given that the potential for heat casualties will probably be higher this year - is there a reason why water shouldn't be available at all checkpoints?

I would also like to say that if 30+ SPOT trackers work perfectly for 2 days, it will be a miracle. I have used multiple examples and every single one has failed when I needed it.
Click to expand...

People should probably carry more water then. I have raced where carrying two bladders and additional bottles is the only way to complete a leg. It's part of the difficulty. I'm guessing that some checkpoints may not be accessible by vehicle, hence no supplied water. It's part of my plan for this year.

Other big events use spot trackers, and generally have a 97-99% success rate (Water Safari runs 100 of them every year, and almost all work perfectly in much tougher conditions than this event (wet, trees, salt). Either way, I think we are all responsible for our own safety, and not plan on having a magic helper when we hit a spot button.
 
#112
Zak Smith said:
Planning and having an accurate assessment of one's and one's partner's capabilities and requirements are big parts of this event. Last year our layout had a relatively short maximum distance between water points (whereas some MCP's were fairly close together)-- and there was discussion of this in the thread prior to the event. And you're right, we did list exactly which MCP's would have water as well as where "emergency water" (ie, that which would probably need filtering/treatment) was located. Many teams planned correctly for carrying and taking on additional water based on their consumption and the locations of the water tanks. Some did not. We actually had water available at more MCP's than we listed on the route sheet. Overall, the event has the same risks as doing the same activities on one's own -- and it should be approached with the same gravity -- however, we do have some additional infrastructure in place to potentially help people out if they get in trouble.

As far as the SPOTs go, I'd call it a miracle if they worked 100% too. The same is true for radios. But they give us one more tool to help locate and/or aid teams during the event. And they allow friends, family, and fans of the event to track teams' progress from home.
Click to expand...

Yeah, as a competitor I like that - it sounds like an F1 pit stop strategy challenge.

I do understand why they're being used. It will be interesting to look at the tracks when all is said and done, too.
 
#115
The SPOT is a great addition, and the last race my team mate and I did had them. They all worked, and it allowed my wife and kids the opportunity to watch in "real time", how daddy was doing. There were several times that my wife described as "nail biting" due to time, or proximity of other teams to us. I hope they work as well as they did then. If so, it adds an additional dimension to the event.
 
#116
It's been the opposite for me - my SPOT would suddenly stop working as I was in midair over Northern Nevada or crossing the Anti-Lebanon Mountains, leaving my family to wonder if I'd crashed or been eaten by cannibals.
 
#117
vuurwapen said:
It's been the opposite for me - my SPOT would suddenly stop working as I was in midair over Northern Nevada or crossing the Anti-Lebanon Mountains, leaving my family to wonder if I'd crashed or been eaten by cannibals.
Click to expand...

They will quit reporting track every 24 hours, so usually you have to disable track, then re-enable track, to keep continuous reporting. (Not sure if that was your problem, but I have seen that). Not sure why they do that, but we had always been told to reset them on every sunrise in multi-day excursions. Other than that, I've traveled a collective 1000+ miles with mine with never more than 30 minutes of dropouts at a time over the past 7 or so years.

One thing, we always had ours visible to the sky, no coverings or anything to shield. I think the outgoing message is easily defeated if you are not careful. (I guess we are using mere milliwatts to transmit to outer space?)
 
#118
The plan is to have everyone check their SPOT to make sure the right lights are still blinking at every MCP and to have everyone "turn it off and back on again" at dawn on Saturday. This should do about as much as is possible to ensure they keep tracking.

There has been some confusion about the level of SPOT service required. The majority of the teams who have sent us SPOT info appear to have done it right and their SPOTs are sending the TRACK messages. This is the "Basic Tracking" level of service and exactly what we meant by "... so we can track all teams in real time".

A minority of teams either don't have this enabled or "probably" don't (ie, they have not powered up and followed the registration procedure requested in the email so we can't tell from here).

There will be a race-point incentive to make sure your SPOT sends regular updates, at a rate of at least 3 per hour. This means if you don't have tracking enabled, you'll be hitting that OK button a lot. Your choice.

During the event, spectators will be able to watch the map live on the internet.

Some time after the event is done and everyone's back home, we will make public another map that can "replay" the race at an accelerated time scale.
 
#124
I don't know if anyone at the site can address these questions, but:

1) Is there cell data connectivity at the property? Many people may be relying on phone-based GPS to get them out there.

2) Do we know what medical facility will be used, in case of emergencies?
 
#125
At the HQ/lodging, there is no cell service that I know of. Some providers have service around the area if you get on high ground. A "GPS App" that does not work without cell service does NOT meet the requirement for the emergency GPS because cell service cannot be depended on.

The medical information is in the match packet you will get at check in. The nearest hospital is in Artesia.
 
#129
This is really cool. What do the colors signify? And, why are there two main "groups"? Where there two starting points, or is one group just that far ahead/behind the other group? Where are the start and finish lines -- which way is everyone heading?
 
#130
Thanks for the live tracking, now that everything is underway, can you drop the checkpoints onto the map for those of us following along at home? The competitors seem to be getting bunched at certain points which I can only assume are check points, but it would be nice to know for sure. It is more suspenseful to see what the teams are going for and what paths they are taking to get there. Getting to see if they get lost and walk in circles or back track, and watching in suspense near the end to see if they are going to make all the checkpoints before time runs out. Maybe a little information about each point would be nice too, like which ones are shooting scenarios, physical challenges, mental challenge, etc. Thanks so much for setting this up. (Planebuilder is racing today, but left the thread open on the computer, so I (his wife) thought I would use it to ask this question. I hope he doesn't mind.:) )
 
Last edited:
#131
#134
I am so jealous. I am stuck at work watching the live tracker, wishing I could participate. Unfortunely being on the probationary list doesn’t allow me time off. I am however looking for a partner to train up with for next year’s event. Can’t wait.<o:p></o:p>
 
#138
Congratulations to all of the competitors in the 2013 Sniper Adventure Challenge who endeavored to persevere, completed the course set before you, crossed the finish line under your own power, and who did so in the time allotted you to finish the race. You took on the challenges set before you in the spirit of good sportsmanship, honor, and integrity. Victory defined is "achievement of mastery or success in a struggle or endeavor against odds or difficulties." Your victory is beyond reproach.
 
#141
Unfortunately nobody met the list of accolades you just described. But there were a lot of competitors that worked hard until the last minute of the drop dead time and others that pushed until they broke and went out on their shields! If you hit the 1st 7 CP's in a row and walked out or broke, that was a big accomplishment, the guys that hit almost every point and went 50+ miles= insane. Congrats to everyone out there.

Alabama said:
Congratulations to all of the competitors in the 2013 Sniper Adventure Challenge who endeavored to persevere, completed the course set before you, crossed the finish line under your own power, and who did so in the time allotted you to finish the race. You took on the challenges set before you in the spirit of good sportsmanship, honor, and integrity. Victory defined is "achievement of mastery or success in a struggle or endeavor against odds or difficulties." Your victory is beyond reproach.
Click to expand...
 
#142
route_cropped.jpg

The Endurance Class route as defined by Mandatory Checkpoints (MCP) was 37.7 miles as the crow flies.
 
#143
From the SPOT data- Team 1- 56 miles. Team 14- 40 miles. Team 2- 25 miles.

We will post a bunch of the data derived from the SPOT trackers soon.

Team 1 averaged 1.66 mph over 34 hours.

The SH announcement post put the land nav at 30-40 miles and that's pretty much right where it ended up.

Team 14 had 4 BCPs which put them at the top end of it. Team 1 had 13 which punted them up out of the range (as it should).

Also FYI- Our intended route was at least 3 miles shorter and involved a vehicle movement portion (prior to MCP7); however, we had catastrophic mechanical problems in two vehicles right as they were deploying to position. At that point it was too late to make any changes because competitors were all over the W side of the course.
 
#149
Thanks to all of the Competition Dynamics crew for putting on a great competition. The amount of planning and coordination they pulled off to make this happen was truly impressive.

Also, great job to all of the competitors and congrats to the winning team. They covered an insane amount of ground for the given time, especially considering the terrain and challenges they had to overcome.

I wasn't a competitor, just a spectator trying to help out where I could. Travel time was short for me as I'm the neighboring ranch to the east of where the match was held. Hope you guys had a safe trip back north.
 
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