2013 EVENT INFORMATION AND GENTLE HINTS

1.  Sign-in/mandatory gear check TBA. 

2.  Mandatory Pre-race meeting International Falls, Sunday 4:00PM TBA

3.  Race start Monday, TBA, Kerry Arena center of City of International Falls near Arrowhead/Blue Ox trailhead behind Outdoorsman.  Post-Race, we provide somewhat irregular shuttle/enclosed trailer finish back to I-Falls for a FEE of $30, if you drop out at some other point, prepare for random/long wait, or arrange own. 

4.  No outside help except other racers or race officials. This means no support crews of any kind, no pacing, and no rides/tows accepted from snowmobilers, trains, planes, automobiles, llamas or other vehicles except of course in emergencies.  If you take a ride, you are disqualified. Participants are encouraged to help each other. Buddy system is good way to do race especially in the dark and cold.  We encourage spectators but no assistance allowed at any time.  Do not have a team greeting you at every possible spot.  This race is about you and the wilderness and your inner dogged spirit!  Camera crews are not allowed to follow race on Snowmobile.

5.  No littering/no caching of supplies. Leave no trace. Finish with what you started with. Use sanitation facilities provided along trail, outhouses next to trail shelters along trail. Bring t.p.  Porta-Potty Checkpoint SkiPulk. 

6. If bivying between checkpoints please do so off the trail -BUT- still in sight of trail so other racers and race officials can see you. Attach your flashing light to your bike, ski pole, sled, etc to alert a passerby to your presence. If leaving race course for any reason, must re-enter course where you left or notify race officials dropping out as soon as feasible. Short-cutting course basis for disqualification/time docking discretion of Race Director.

7.  Gateway General Store on Hwy 53 is 1st required checkpoint. Note: racers encouraged to purchase food, goods and services here. Racers must remain on marked course to and from all checkpoints.  

Must check in 2nd Checkpoint MelGeorges cabin before going elsewhere or taking room at resort. We provide food (soup/ munchies/oatmeal/sandwiches/etc) here.  There is room in our large check cabin for racers.  Racers encouraged to rent their own motel room or cabin at Melgeorges if overnight likely and you want peace and quiet indoors...rent a room. Nice restaurant/bar/resort great spot for watching.  Spectators please do not crowd in our cabin.

3rd and final checkpoint: SkiPulk Tent along trail at about mile 111 ~2 miles before the last big WakemUp Mtn and 4 miles before Crescent Bar road crossing.  Water and emergency personnel here. Spectators allowed, but stay out of our tents please.  Racers do not plan on spending significant time here unless camped on your own outside.

We provide water at all checkpoints, food only at MelGeorge.  There is not dependable water available on the course other than the checkpoints or melting the snow, or bring a large ice auger to tap the swamp/lake ice.

8.  Snow machines and dog sleds have absolute right of way. You must pull to right side of the trail and let them pass. Stop at intersections and obey traffic rules.  Cars and Sleds are bigger and faster than you and you would be a messy spot in the snow if they hit you. Listen for them. Keep the music stuff out of your ears, listen to Nature.

9.  All racers required to carry/tow all required gear at all times on the course and must finish with at least 1 day or 3000 calories of food and 8oz. of fuel. Racers may share gear and assist each other; however, each participant must have their own mandatory gear at all times. Gear checks may be performed any time on course or at checkpoints/finish at the discretion of Race Directors. Time compensation for lost time during check will be made, any check failures subject to disqualification or time penalties again discretion of mean/nice/fair Race Directors.

10.  Racers pick race category morning of race. Racers may use snowshoes any category, however not required and if used you must carry them and all starting gear to finish. Skiers may have second pair skis.

11.  Race Cutoff times are as follow:  Racers must leave checkpoints, say again, leave by the following times:  Gateway (35 mi)-9PM Monday.  MelGeorge (70 mi)-2PM Tues. Checkpoint 3 (~110 mi)-11AM Wed.  Fortune Bay OFFICIAL FINISH 7PM Wed.  Race officials may pull racers for safety reasons at any point.  IF YOU DO NOT STOP AFTER FAILING TO MEET CHECKPOINT CUTOFF YOU WILL BE BANNED FROM NORTHERN MINNESOTA FOR LIFE, AND SPANKED.

MANDATORY GEAR from race start to race finish.

• Minus-20F degrees sleeping bag or colder rating. Colder than -20F almost all previous races. If you skimp here you are foolish. And we will not allow you to skimp. So do not skimp.  Fool.  2011 it was -42F on trail.
• Insulated sleeping pad.
• Bivy sack or tent (space blankets/tarps do not count).
• Firestarter (matches or lighter).
• Stove.
• 8 fl. oz. fuel at ALL times (either gas, alcohol or 2 canisters of propane/butane 100 g. each or 12 Esbit tablets).
• Pot (min. volume is 1 pint)
• 2-qt (64 fl. oz.) or just under 2 litres, insulated water container.
• Headlamp or flashlight. Suggest minimum ~100 lumen good for 12 hours/bike or 20 hours on ski/foot.
• Flashing red LED lights, both on front and back of sled or bike (or on backpack if skier). Everyone have at least 10 square inches of reflective material on front and back of the person for this race. Two lights total are required, one on the front of the bike, sled or racer (runner or skier with backpack), one on the back of the bike, sled or racer (runner or skier with backpack). Each light must have a minimum of three flashing red LEDS.  Keep on ALL THE TIME.  HIGHLY IMPORTANT....THIS MAY WELL PREVENT YOU FROM BEING A HOOD ORNAMENT ON A LARGE FAST-MOVING SNOWMACHINE.
• Whistle on string around neck to call for help, because your mouth is too numb to yell.
• 1-day food ALL times (3000 calories) (tip: pound of butter or jar of peanut bar 3200 calories).

Recommended Gear

• Extreme conditions mittens, head gear and outerwear..
• Down sweater, spare undershirt/socks etc.
• Over-boots, Gaitors.
• Duct tape, vasoline, sunglasses, lipbalm, moleskin, ibuprofin, etc.
• Map/compass/gps. Real outdoorspeople don't need GPS though.  Reflective vest good idea.
• 5,000-7,000 calories of food, preferably items which remain chewable at way below zero and colder.
• Sleds or backpack for runners and snowshoers. Assorted tools/waxes as needed.  Sense of Humor.
• VERY IMPORTANT: IMPROVED CELL PHONE COVERAGE MAKES CARRYING CELL PHONE SMART.  PREFERABLY NEAR YOUR GROIN AND OFF TO STAY WARM WHEN NOT IN USE.  USE FOR EMERGENCY.

DROP BAGS

• Each racer allowed 15 lb. drop bag at the MelGeorge's checkpoint,including food/drink only (no clothes/fuel or gear) and a separate Fortune Bay bag for a small change of clothes for the finish line.
• Drop bags due in International Falls by Sunday, 2:00pm at the gear check. Otherwise, make own arrangements to deliver them to MelGeorge's Checkpoint cabin and finish line, at Fortune Bay Casino, Tower MN.
• Drop bags should be heavy gauge garbage bags (big and strong) or tough stuff sacks and will not be returned unless you are lucky.
• Drop bags must be clearly labeled with racers name and race number, either MelGeorge or Fortune Bay and secured shut. You can share drop bags with another racer to limit waste.

Cutoff for racers 60 hours, or Wed. 7pm, Feb. 1st, 2012 at the Fortune Bay Casino after Arrowhead spur trail crosses Hwy 77, near Lake Vermilion.  Nice bar and restaurant at Fortune Bay.  We have hospitality room/suites overlooking the finish line,  pool and showers for spectators, racers and volunteers.  There is a secure area to place your gear/sleds/bikes and you can smoke and gamble and stuff here finally.  If you expect to get peace and quiet as well, we encourage you to rent a room.  Pretty good deals and don't drive home stupid sleepy.

Trail users are legally responsible for obeying the rules and regulations provided in Minnesota Rules, State Recreational Trails, 6100.3000 through 6100.4300.