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Registration count: as of March 9,
45 people signed up (expect about 60 to be allowed, depends
on carpooling.)
What's it all about
Exploring a dreamy landscape. Splendid rock formations,
exotic desert flora.
And finding as many of the 30 or so mapped checkpoints as
you can in the time limit.
The spirit of this event will be low-key and informal. We
are lucky to be here.
Let's conduct ourselves so that we might be welcomed back
in the future.
Custom Map
1:15000 scale, 40 foot contours, based on the
USGS topo.
Basemap contours by Vladimir Gusiatnikov.
Fieldchecking enhancements by Rex Winterbottom.
On 11 x 17" paper, map case provided.
Terrain:
The southern half of the map, on average, is easier to
traverse, with rock features in tighter clusters.
The northern half, on average, is very rugged, with a few
avenues to follow, but many rock formations.
Rex's mapping enhancements will indicate the rugged,
especially rocky areas to aid in route planning.
Course Information:
Rex has already planned the course; there are 30
checkpoints spread all over the map.
While the distance is about 31 km as the crow flies, I'm
not expecting teams to clear the course.
The terrain is rugged, and you won't move nearly as fast as
you do in most places.
The week before the event, Rex will be vetting the
checkpoint locations and adjusting the course.
Expect statistics to change slightly. Checkpoints will have
point values.
There will be a penalty for each minute over the time limit
- details later.
Is this for me?
Navigation experience with topographic maps is recommended.
You should know how to use a compass to set a bearing.
You should be able to relocate.
If you have doubts, contact Rex.
Checkpoint Verification:
We aren't allowed to use standard orange and white
checkpoint markers;
so we will use a Question & Answer sheet, and
provide a color photo of the checkpoint.
And whatever else we can do to make it:
1. Fair - indisputable - you have to be there, and it's
easy to answer.
2. Fast - you won't have to spend extra minutes around the
checkpoint making sure you are there.
Rex will be working hard in the field so that you'll find
the experience smooth and enjoyable.
This adds an extra dimension to the checkpoint vetting.
Fair and fast will be favored,
while preserving route choice challenge.
Event Schedule:
8:00 Registration open
8:20 Course briefing, 8 hour teams
8:30 Maps given out, 8 hour teams and any 4 hour teams
starting early
9:00 Start, 8 hour teams and any 4 hour teams starting
early
4 hour teams may start anytime between 9:00 and 1:00, and
they may look at their maps 30 minutes before starting.
12:20 Course briefing, remaining 4 hour teams
12:30 Maps given out, remaining 4 hour teams
1:00 Start, remaining 4 hour teams.
5:00 Courses close.
Search and rescue will be initiated
if you aren't back soon after the 5:00 course closing
time.
Food and drink:
We will provide refreshments at the event center and some
extra goodies for the end,
but due to the necessary low-keyness of the event,
we will not be providing a big banquet at the end.
You are welcome to the supplies of fruit and carbohydrates
we will have,
before, during, or after your course (and you can take some
to go.)
But it's recommended you bring food, and of course,
water.
I don't see why we can't share food at the end, potluck
style, as long as it's low-key and out-the-trunk.
Necessary gear:
1. Compass
2. Clothing appropriate to weather conditions (expected to be in the
70s at 3900 ft. and higher elevation, but could be hotter or colder.)
3. 1 to 2 liters of water carrying capacity
4. First aid kit (min. one per team)
Prohibited: GPS units, altimeters
Hazards:
Weather could be a factor - check the online forecast in the days preceding the event.
Temperatures could be in the 90s or in the 50s, but probably in the 70s.
It's exposed, so sunscreen and body cover are needed.
You will be dealing with rocks and scattered prickly vegetation.
There are steep drops in the terrain... be smart about your routes.
Sometimes better to go around then try to go over.
Pricing Matrix:
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Email registration info
by:
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4 hour price
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8 hour price
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Friday, March
26
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$20
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$40
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Friday, April
2
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$30
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$60
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after April
2
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$40
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$80
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If payment is not received by
Wednesday, April 7, then you may lose your place in the
event to admit someone on the waitlist.
Registration always stays open, and you may register later
than April 7, but there's no guarantee of getting in, though
we'll do our best to have you.
Refunds will be given if you need to
drop out for whatever reason.
Registration Instructions:
Event capacity depends on the number of parking spaces we
get.
We will be allowed to use half of the spaces in the Twin
Tanks parking lot.
It will then depend on how well we plan carpools and the
vehicle capacities.
So this is a dynamic process, and the sooner we figure out
our plans, the better for everyone.
Right now, 60 is the estimated event number of people we'll
be able to take.
We will keep everyone interested on the list and admit
everyone we are able to accommodate.
Registration is a first-come,
first-serve, two-step process;
1. Declare your interest
Email rex@terraloco.com with
the following info to get yourself on the list:
1. Subject: Joshua Tree April
17
2. Your Name
3. Your City (where you live, so I know how far you are
traveling)
4. Duration: 4 hour, 8 hour, undecided
5. Probable Teammates: mandatory to have at least one for
the 8 hour, but still okay to sign up without one.
I can help put together teams from solo
candidates.
In the meantime, figure out your plan
for accommodations, travel plans, teammates, and carpooling
possibilities.
2. Confirm your individual
registration by registering using terraloco's online system.
I will collect emergency
contact information there, and it also includes a copy of
the waiver you must sign at the event to
participate.
You will then be billed with a
Google Checkout invoice. You may pay it online with a
credit card, or send a check instead to the address
provided in the invoice.
If payment is not received by
Wednesday, April 7, you may lose your spot to someone on
the waitlist for the event.
Accommodations:
Camping: Only first-come, first-serve campsites
are available in Joshua Tree National Park.
If you're keen on camping in the park, it's recommended you
arrive no later than Thursday.
Jumbo Rocks, Belle, and White Tank are the closest campgrounds to
Twin Tanks, the event center.
(None of them have water or flush toilets.)
White Tank is the closest.
There is "overflow" BLM camping available just
north of the park.
Joshua Tree camping website has all camping and overflow camping information.
Motels / hotels:
I found these on a Google maps search for Twentynine Palms
motel;
Twentynine Palms is the closest town to the event center at
Twin Tanks.
There are other towns around the park with motels of
course.
Twentynine Palms motels are listed in no particular
order.
You might research the reviews before inquiring.
Reservations are recommended as it is the busy
season!
1. Harmony Motel, 71161 29 Palms
Highway, Twentynine Palms, CA - (760) 367-3351
2. Sunset Motel, 73842 29 Palms Highway, Twentynine Palms,
CA - (760) 367-3484
3. Twentynine Palms Inn, 73950 Inn Avenue, Twentynine
Palms, CA - (760) 367-3505
4. El Rancho Dolores Motel Twentynine Palms, 73352 29 Palms
Highway, Twentynine Palms, CA - (760) 367-3528
5. Best Western Garden Inn & Suites, 71487 29 Palms
Highway, Twentynine Palms, CA - (760) 367-9141
6. Circle C, 6340 El Rey Avenue, Twentynine Palms, CA -
(760) 367-7615
7. Twentynine Palms Resort, 4949 Desert Knoll Avenue,
Twentynine Palms, CA - (760) 367-3320
8. Motel 6 Twentynine Palms, 72562 Twentynine Palms
Highway, Twentynine Palms, CA - (760) 367-2833
9. Holiday Inn Express Twentynine Palms Joshua Tree, 71809
Twentynine Palms Highway, Twentynine Palms, CA - (760)
361-4009
10. Country Inn 29 Palms, 71829 29 Palms Highway,
Twentynine Palms, CA - (760) 367-0070
11. Hillview Motel, 73193 29 Palms Highway, Twentynine
Palms, CA - (760) 367-0334
12. Fairfield Inn and Suites Twentynine Palms, 6333 Encelia
Ave., Twentynine Palms, CA - (760) 361-5000
13. Sleepy Tortoise Lodge, Mcagcc-Box 788150, Twentynine
Palms, CA - (760) 830-6583
14. Twenty Nine Palms Inn, 73817 Old Dale Road, Twentynine
Palms, CA - (760) 361-1100
15. Roughley Manor Bed & Breakfast, 74744 Joe Davis
Drive, Twentynine Palms, CA - (760) 367-3238
16. Country Inn Twentynine Palms Joshua Tree, 71829
Twentynine Palms Highway, Twentynine Palms, CA - (760)
367-0070
17. Homestead Inn, 74153 2 Mile Road, Twentynine Palms, CA
- (760) 367-0030
Directions to Event Site:
Twin Tanks will be our event center. It is clearly
marked on Joshua Tree maps. Detailed directions coming
soon...
Teams:
Coming soon...
Carpools:
Coming soon...
Links
Joshua Tree National Park
International
Rogaining Federation
Event Contact: Rex, 5 1 0 - 6 8
1 - 6 1 8 1, rex@terraloco.com,
website terraloco.com
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Joshua Tree Map Trek