Team MotionBased

as reported by Donato and Will. The following race report is intended for new people considering adventure racing. While this report focuses on a winter race you can imagine that the same team work, strategy and fun are enjoyed racing anytime of the year. More info on the racers at Dirty Avocados. We started the race of on the right foot by showing up to the race briefing late. As we entered the door to the race briefing room we saw a bunch of great adventure racers amongst some seasoned locals and very few novices. This had us a little concerned, but we had made the metal choice to win there that day. The race director stopped his talk and welcomed the two of us as we strolled in after half the race briefing in which we missed hearing about the course, rules and other race good information. The method of travel choice we had for this winter race was to use snowshoes or backcountry skis (cross country, Telemark, or Randonee skis). We chose snowshoes because that is all Will could afford. We could see that some strong teams that chose Tele Skis so Donato, more knowledgeable about snow travel started second guessing our decision, Will did not understand he just thought he was there to win. The Race Director, Todd Jackson created a race map had the rules of travel and a passport printed on the back. This was very nice for a short race given we are often asked to carry a map, a passport and a separate sheet of rules. Usually one of the three is lost. The race was divided into two areas of the Northstar Resort area. Each area had 3 checkpoints (CPs) including one that we had to plot using compass bearing from an existing checkpoint that was already plotted on our map. [Checkpoint 'CP' def. a place we had to visit as part of a course in a standard adventure race]. Given we were late; we plotted the first CP and then had to run to the gondola to get to the start on the other side of Northstar. This is where the race began as we ran to the Gondola and dove into a car. Our course to the start took us up the Gondola, then up the a ski lift called Arrow Express, then up another ski lift called Comstock Express to the top of Mt. Pluto, then on down the Backside Express chairlift to the back of the mountain. It was mid-forties at the start and we stripped down to tights and our Dirty Avocados tri-shorts on top. We both wore Under Armour long sleeve shirt and then just our Dirty Avocados jersey on top. This race would be like two small races. It would start with everyone going after 4 cps in any order then transferring with a 30minute minimum transit time. Then there was another 1-3 hour race for 4 more CPs including the finish. However, we knew we had a break in between two death runs. We looked at the snow and Donato had noticed the day before that on some of the hard pack trails we could run without snowshoes. So, we strapped our snowshoes to our backpacks. The 3 CPs in the first section and the second section were 'do any order you like.' They were also laid out almost equidistance from the start at different angles like a circle with the start/transition point. We had two obvious choices this first section: clockwise and counter-clockwise. Clock-wise was what Race Director Todd Jackson assumed would win. It consisted of a steady open up hill to the backside then some orienteering to CP 1. Then you could follow the ridgeline to CP 3 which was at one of the highest points and very easy to see. After CP 3 you could do one or two things: 1. Back track to the ski slope down the ridge you came (1.75miles) 2. Go down a 1,200 to 1,600 foot drop to a small valley and then a slight 100-150 foot up to CP 2 which was plotted off of CP 3 and then down a gradual groomed snow trail to the transition (CP 4). The counter-clockwise choice was to go for CP 2, a CP we had to plot off of CP 3 an easy to see high point in the valley. We plotted it and from the start it looked like the counter-clockwise path was a slight uphill on some groomed back area trails to a hill that CP2 was located. From there we would need to ascend 1,200 to 1,400 feet on a steep grade to CP3. Note we area at elevations ranging possibly from of 6,200 to a top of 7,860? feet. Then the obvious choice was to proceed along a ridgeline to CP 1 with very little chance of error and then down a ski slope to the start/transition. It is good to warm up in a race and not just physically, but mentally - like going for an easy CP. The counter-clockwise route offered a nice warm up and an easy point to rip away from everyone on just our shoes. So, I mention the preferred route for easy navigation to Donato. We then took the traditional photo of all the starters of the adventure race. The race director blew the start whistle and we were off. Will just started blazing down the cat track that we planned on following along the ridgeline under Lookout Mountain to our 1st CP. After about 5 minutes of running along the cat/snowmobile track Donato had to pee a second time. The Red Bull was getting to him. So to make sure we did not lose any time Donato raced ahead of Will at full speed for about 2 minutes and just pee'd off the side of the trail. Donato as he was relieving himself realized that there were 3 teams of very strong AR/cross country skiers that were all women behind us. He thought they were all going come screaming around the trail on the Tele Skis and see him pissing on the side of the trail. Oh well, he thought they all think Donato's a pig already so who cares! Five minutes later we got to an intersection. Donato thought we should stay right and go a little farther. Will checked the map, looks around and says we go left and up the hill in front of us where the CP is. Donato looked at Will and with no time to disagree, said, "you know what you doing with the maps and navigation let's go Will." As we approached the bottom of the hill Donato notice some Atlas snowshoe marks. Before the race started we also noticed the Atlas snow shoes on the guy going to that CP. So we simply followed him up to where he was sitting "manning" the CP. We said "Hi, what's up, nice to see you again. Did anyone get here yet?" He responded, "Nope; you are the first ones." Donato known for talking continued in conversation and that is when Will said, "We are going, now." From the top of the CP 2, we could clearly see the CP 3 way up above us, across the valley. It would be the highest CP of the day. Unfortunately, we had to go down low into the valley before starting an ascent up. We donned our snowshoes and headed down into the valley. The area had no clear trail and many trees and wooded brush that we had to weave in and out of. Before we got to the other side we ran into a small creek in our path. Donato looked 30 yards up and 30 down and found what looked to be the safest spot to cross with his snowshoes on. Will watched Donato get stuck crossing the creek. Donato was balancing on a rock in the creek and holding onto a downed tree branch, but not able to get a good foot hold on the other side of the creek. So with hindsight knowledge, Will found a better place to cross and came over and by grabbing a small tree trunk and then asking Donato to extend his ski pole to him, Will pulled Donato up the three-foot embankment in one swift move. We worked our way on up the ridgeline staying in the shade and north facing Slopes. It's been 60F in Tahoe and temp was already close to 55 going to 65 for the high this day. Donato knew that the north facing slopes are more shaded and don't melt as much. With a good foundation in mountaineering Will gave some pointers to Donato and we both ended up leading and breaking ground for each other. As we made a direct route going straight up to the top of the mountain we were at maximum sustainable heart rates, at least that was according to Will's Polar Heart Rate Monitor. As we neared the summit at 7,860 feet, which was about 1,400 feet above the creek below we knew we needed to hit the south peak first, a rock outcropping. Donato started up a steep area and then said "this is steep and sun exposed and I'm not sure about this idea!" Donato was sinking to his waist and not making much forward progress. We had to back out. We stayed on the north side for another 100 vertical feet until the next rock outcropping where it wasn't quite so steep. There below the rock we had a choice to make we could go left on a much shorter route that was in very soft snow and steep section or we could go the longer way, but on harder pack snow to the right. Will thought to himself, "where would Warren Miller film us?" The left option, "may be steep and soft, but it will be fast because we can just imagine we are being filmed doing an incredibly radical run!" This is when Will turned to Donato and just said, "Donato, this way is faster" we are going this way." We were fast crawling to the top, diving our hands into the snow in front of us to help pull up. We made it around into the saddle of the outcropping and the peak above where CP 3 was. We got up to the CP and asked the people manning it, "Hi, who's been here already?" The two guys with tele-skis manning the CP responded, "No One." Donato responded and Will agreed nodding, "that's impossible" but sweet, we must be going fast." We then looked at the maps. Donato was able to see the point out were the next CP was Will could not and said what are you talking about. Then, Will took a bearing and realized that he could not see what Donato was correctly pointing at because there was a tree branch at his height. So, off we went wondering "where is everyone else?" Donato then spotted a team of two guys hauling in our direction on skis. It was obvious that these guys, two locals would just hit the next CP where we were just at and then ski down 1,400 feet and a short up to hit the first CP before we could get far. Being courteous we stepped our pace up and ran as we passed them smiling and saying hi, nice day. It was the least we could do: make them think we blow up that hill no problem. We then passed Linda Lindsey and Ken White and a race observer/volunteer Jonathan Owens (all three racers we respect). We then knew that we need to haul to have the slightest chance of winning. From the CP 3, Donato had pointed out to the next CP really well so we had an easy traverse of the ridge that the others were coming up the opposite way clockwise did not. We used the tracks the first skiers made to go faster on a harder surface. Soon we deviated from the tracks decreasing their wide sweeping arc into our straight b-line for a road and shortened our distance traveled greatly. The last section of our run included this road, one that pointed and ended just 100 yards from the CP. Will was cautious going in slowly to find the CP. Luckily, Donato spotted the CP and we ran the last 80 yards. Only 6 teams had been through the checkpoint, so several had gone past us and we did not see them. Donato lead us back into the woods and to a ski run he could see through the trees. Will then yelled to Donato to pop his snowshoes off for safety and jump on his rear to slide down the steep part of the hill. This is referred to as "glissading", and is usually most often done safely with an ice axe to slow oneself down. We glissaded what seemed long, but was likely only 200 yards total distance. From there we popped up on our feet and ran down a slippery icy slope getting lots of looks from skiers as we slid around turns and kicked up snow. We found the transition/CP 4 and began transit to the next section 4.5 miles away on ski lifts. At CP 4 we actually uploaded the Backside lift to the top of MT Pluto. Every team had 30 Minutes to make it from CP4 to CP5 at the Cross Country Ski Center, Mid Mountain on the front. We were only allowed to use Chair lifts to get to the next starting point at the cross country center. As we rode up the lift to the top of Mt. Pluto Donato noticed that he was already out of water. With eight minutes up on the backside lift and another fifteen minutes down the next two lifts; we had to time to stop for a Gatorade. Donato knew a little spot next to the lifts set up out side for snacks and food. We got to the top sprinted to the small stand in the snow and threw down our gear and started searching for our money while we told the snack bar operators "hey were in a race and we need liquids like Gatorade or water." They stared at the two of us and must have been thinking these guys are nuts. Then just gave us the drinks for free. Again we approached the lift and told the lift-op "hey were in a race and we are downloading, don't slow it down for us, thanks!" Off we went, lots of stairs from the lift line as we hit the ground running to the last download. From there it was straight to the Cross Country Center which was CP 5. Are snowshoes are off at this point, strapped to the back of our mostly empty packs. At CP 5 now three plus hours into the race we find out that we only have to get CP6 and return as the 1st section took longer than expected as the snow conditions were not "fast." Uh, yeah, we knew that after post-holing more than we wanted to in the soft "mush" snow. Yes, they call it Sierra Cement for a reason! We left CP5 for the now out and back to CP 6 at about 1:05PM. We looked at the Map and yes, Donato may have done too many big blues or mountain biked at Northstar too many times but, CP 6 was the now infamous Caboose were Todd stages his O-course for the "normal" Tahoe big blue races. Will checked the maps and Donato just told him put the maps down he knew where we had to go. Off we go... Donato wanted to take some path called Sawmill Flats, but it did not start where we were. We had the option of taking "Flower" something that was an easy flat meander to the CP or one called "Thor's Hammer" an uphill that cut almost straight to Sawmill Flat Trail (shorter, but with elevation gain). It was obvious that we had to take Thor's Hammer because the skiers time on the flat Flower trail would kill us even though we were running without the impediment of snowshoes. We had to take the chance and go where we had an advantage and no matter the pain and struggle run it out full-bore at this point. Up Thor's Hammer we beat the track and then continued up a gradual slope of Sawmill Flat. Donato and Will hooked up on tow for the last half mile to the caboose. We were told that there was someone manning the checkpoint there and so when we did not see them Will wondered if we were in the right spot. Will also could not line the trail map up very well with the location of where we were and where the CP was located. Donato having been there was certain we had to be in the right spot, given the clue was "how many wheels on the thing out there and what color is it?" Donato had taken us to this Caboose thinking this was the CP and he was 100% sure. Donato counted the number of wheels, and noted the color paint and we took off. This time we had sprint to the finish to have any chance of placing in the top five given the skiers could get there first easily and we were not sure if they had passed us by taking the alternate "Flower" route. So, Will said something about not leaving anything on the course and we ran side by side down the trail back to find Thor's Hammer and then the finish. This is where Will poured Donato's Gatorade, his only liquid mind you, because he felt Donato didn't need it until after they finished. Even after Donato told Will that his pack was light and he still felt strong; Will poured out the Gatorade because excess weight is excess. We did this entire section in our running shoes as the cross country trails we took were groomed and were firm enough to run on with shoes. We hammered across the sawmill flat to the top of Thor's Hammer and sprinted down to the finish line. Will slide into the table where race organizer, Todd Jackson was diligently working collecting progress reports of other teams. We had to tell the race organizers that we had finished as they just had not expected it that quickly. This is when we found that no other teams had made it to CP4 yet. We then knew we had possibly won the race before we got to CP5 but this was about a decisive victory of in fact over an hour on the two guys behind us. Todd short coursed those two guys behind us and the rest of the field. The race event included a catered lunch on the slopes with our fellow racers, which included many friends that we have met while racing. Finally, the day concluded with a raffle for prizes that Big Blue held, which consisted of great swag. Epilogue We thought that skis would win. They should have. If they had done a semi-circle instead of a full circle going into the valley where the creek was they would have been faster. In other words they could have gone for one cp and then went the opposite way up the ski slope. At least his is how we do it next year... Many thanks to race organizers Big Blue and especially Todd Jackson: we know they do not make much if anything off of holding this race, but even so they went at it as though this was a grand undertaking showing enthusiastic attention to detail, safety and hospitality. To view the Map of our route for the race check out our National Geographic Topo Race Profile Image created with TOPO Software from National Geographic. With assistance from our Trusty Garmin 305 GPS/training watches and MotionBased.