ADVENTURE JOURNAL

Explore the West Adventure Race Series consists of seven world class races in Western United States and Baja California, Mexico. Teams usually have 2 to 4 racers and may need a support crew to handle bikes, kayaks, etc. The teams do not know the details of the race course until just before each race. For more information on Adventure Racing go to: www.explorethewestar.com

The following is my Volunteer’s Adventure eReport on the Southern Nevada race held May 13 and 14, 2006 and an eSlideShow of portions of the Race. The racers started at 9 am on Mountain Bikes riding into the Bootleg Canyon Trails in Boulder City, Nevada (www.bootlegcanyon.org). This section of the race included single track. We all wished the racers a safe and fun adventure.

My Volunteer Adventure started with a long drive on 4WD roads from Henderson, Nevada, into the River Mountains and a cross country GPS navigation hike to a Wave Point on a mountain side called Check Point 4 (CP4), where each team needed to check in. My volunteer companion was Bill from Las Angeles, California. We were also asked to do a Safety Gear check. Each Team member must have a whistle, rescue mirror, and space blanket or the Team will be docked minutes.

After an hour hike, we arrived at CP4 just after 11 am and set up the large Yellow Flag to identify the Check Point. Team 1 (a.k.a. Team DART) was hiking up from the canyon below. Since I was the local Nevada volunteer, I greeted each Team like the Amazing Race with a loud “Welcome to Check Point 4”. Being early in the race, the racers had energy to smile. The Catclaw trees, along the canyon bottoms, with their thorns snagged many of the racers. We asked if anyone saw any snakes and none were seen. We gave each team the clue which way to head out and they were quickly gone.

Just before the last team to arrive at the CP4 at about 3 pm, three Bighorn Sheep rams headed towards us like they were participants in the Adventure Race. The Yellow Flag was loudly flagging in the wind. Holding the flag and attempting to photograph their arrival was a challenge. The rams disappeared behind the small ridge and the first ram suddenly appeared to close to get a full body shot. He froze for a second looking at us with a surprise in his eyes and then suddenly bolted just below CP4. The other two rams followed the first and headed to a ravine. What a thrill to see these magnificent animals in their native habitat. I went to the edge of the ravine and watched the last ram go over the saddle toward Lake Mead. For a moment, I forgot about being in the HOT Sun (105F) for over five hours with my water running low! Following the game trail of the Bighorn rams, was Team Baja from Mexico.

For your information, CP4 was located so that we had cell phone communication with the Race Organizers and also FM radio communications with other Check Points. All team progress was reported. Twenty-five teams started the Race. Team Baja was number 23 so two team were still out there lost in their Desert Mountain Navigation leg. We had at least an hour hike back to the SUV and I was getting concerned since I was told CP4 would take about 2 hours. I was not prepared for being over 5 hours in the HOT Sun.

Four Turkey Vultures could be seen circling on the other side of the ridge which was not a good sign. To our delight, a Team came over the saddle across the valley and headed around the ravine not wanting to down climb the loose rock. Then, the last team appeared on the far ridge. Being a slow hiker, Bill and I agreed that I would start hiking back going down and out the canyon Team DART and some other teams hike in on.

I last saw Bill standing on the edge of the ravine with our Yellow Flag fagging. I radioed him, using the FM radios, that I was safely in the dry streambed. I checked my Camelback and it was almost bone dry. Not a good situation for a Mountain Man in the hot and dry desert. I followed the twisting stream bed out of the mountains down climbing a number of dry falls and avoiding the many Catclaw trees. I found myself looking out toward Henderson and checked my GPS. I saw that I was hiking away from the SUV. I came to a spot where there was a saddle on the ridge that looked possible to hike over. After hiking over four ridges, I finally saw foot prints in the sand that lead to the valley the racer hiked to CP4. The pink ribbons that we were to remove on our hike to CP4 became my trail markers to hike back to the 4WD road and the SUV. Luckily, I could get into the cooler and really enjoyed the cool refreshing drinks. Thank you Bill for leaving the SUV open (or I would have to break in. When hiking, it is good to give your partner a spare key for emergencies just like this.)!!!

Based upon my Garmin GPS, the way I hiked out was a half-mile longer. I radioed Bill that I was at the SUV and not to follow my route out but to backtrack over the high saddle to the South. The other two Teams still had not checked in at CP4. Bill informed me that Brent the designer for Boulder City’s Bootleg Canyon Biking Trails would pick me up and take me back to my Xterra, which had my lunch and drinks. It was nice finally meeting Brent and good friend of one of my hiker buddies who told me about his great bike trail project. Brent and I had a great conversation on the way back. (Note: The two teams headed West and were watching their maps and did not see the Yellow Flag nor check in at CP4. Bill and everyone were safe. The teams can take FM radios for emergencies use only but no GPS.)

Since I was not needed at my next assigned Check Point, I went over to Hemingway Park to see if any Bighorn Sheep were grazing in the grass but none came down. The Sun was setting and there were quail and cottontail rabbits to be seen.

After my later lunch at 7 pm, I drove out to Check Points 12 and 13 (CP12&13), where the Teams were to do their Orienteering. I was told from CP4 that the Teams had to find their way over the River Mountains and down to Lake Mead. Then, they had to kayak across Lake Mead, do trail running, canyoneering down to the Colorado River in Black Canyon. At the river, they had to using single person Pack Raft to paddle up steam to Gold Strike Canyon and hike to the Hot Springs. At Gold Strike Hot Springs Check Point 11, all teams had a mandatory 15 minute rest to enjoy the pools. {This was Bill’s other assignment. It pays to volunteer early for the best locations!!}

I arrived about 8 pm to CP12&13 and set up camp. T.R. from San Diego who was the crew support for Team DART soon joined me. He had his team’s mountain bikes and a giant kayak on top of his rig. Angie a nurse from San Diego arrived. She was the crew support for Team 20. They were both very helpful and answer my many questions on Adventure Racing. We set up the propane lanterns and stoves to cook a later dinner. Additional team support arrived throughout the night. Some even opted to stay in a local hotel for a shower and bed. We found out that the Teams were going slower than planned and should arrive at dawn. We watched the moonrise and Angie made us some Hot Chocolate with her special ingredients. I lay back in my cot looking at the stars go by.

Antonio and three ladies, who I was to help at CP12&13, arrived some time in the night and set up their tent and the Yellow Flag. They were from California. Before sunrise, I was awakened by the call that the first team was running down the dirt road. We manned and womaned the CP12&13 and waved Team DART in about 5 am. T.R. took care of his team and we gave them their Orienteering map, instructions and punch card. They then rode out on their mountain bikes to find each required station. After Orienteering, Team DART headed to the finish line in Boulder City. We checked more teams in and they were all excited about finishing. They told us stories about their adventure in the nigth and how they climbed or hiked out of Gold Strike Canyon, which can require technical climbing if you choose the wrong side canyon.

When only a few teams were left to check-in, I drove to the Finish Line to photograph the end of this Adventure Race.

I am too old for Adventure Racing; however, participating as a Volunteer was a real adventure in itself. Especially, giving me a reason to hike into the River Mountains by Lake Mead and be on some unknown mountainside to see the three Bighorn rams pass by so close.

I have learned about another type of Adventure, not as a racer but a Check Point support team member. This So Nevada Adventure Race course was put together by Karen and Paul of Team Sole (www.teamsole.com). I want to thank both Karen and Paul for creating this Adventure and giving me the opportunity to support the Athletes. I look forward to having the opportunity to volunteering again in future years and making more Adventure friends.

Here is the link to my eSlideShow with Topos and Profiles of my adventure: Go to the Slideshow

Henry the Mountain Man™

©Journal and all photos and slideshow copyrighted by Henry Jingle aka Henry the Mountain Man™ .