Ø Welcome

v Voluntary Participation. You are here for your own enjoyment and participate/continue course at your own decision and risk.

v This event is sponsored by Lafayette Billiards Plus (partners with Steepleton of Indianapolis and second year supporters), Haley's Safe, Lock, and Key, Mulhaupt's Schwinn Cyclery and Fitness, Hodson's Bay Company, International Health Club, Allons Real Estate Consultants, Woodbridge Mortgage, Sign Experts, and Clement's Canoe Rental in Crawfordsville. Without them your entry fees would have been more than $75. Though these sponsors respect and support the challenging sport we have all chosen to embrace, they have no detailed knowledge of course layout and requirements, and do not hold any liability for the outcome of your efforts.

v This is a TRAINING Event and NOT A RACE. Pick your goals and stay focused on them. If you are here to go as long as you can, do not get sucked into going faster than you can go long. You may be here because you want to get faster at 24-hour length events. Good, go for it!!! You may be focused on navigating or on transitions. One objective is for sure, HAVE FUN!!!!

Ø Course

v Maps have been handed out.

v General concept:

· Is to keep moving for 24 hours, not finish course or have fastest time.

· This year's course consists of 5 'loops'. The concept for this course is to not only to meet your training goals, but also to provide an environment where you have to make strategic decisions along the way.

· Ft. Ouiatenon is the Start, Transition Area (TA) between loops, Finish, and HQ.

· First loop is the North and Start loop and everyone will do it at the same time. It consists of trekking from here (Ft. Ouiatenon) to Davis Ferry, approximately 9.5 miles, and then canoeing back to the Fort.

· For the next three loops you may choose your own sequence based on energy level, daylight, temperature and weather, and time. All combine some mix of biking and trekking or trail running, and navigation.

· The direction you conduct each of these three loops in is up to you. I have managed to find a lot of gravel roads and as many challenging hills as possible for this part of the State. Energy to make it back is probably biggest challenge, other than sore "you-know-what's."

· The last loop is back in the canoes.

· If you finish all that, I will find a team for you to link up with and help keep going.

· At the end lunch will be held at McGraw's. We will have the entire place all to ourselves. You should be complete no later than noon so we can all be together for lunch. Please do not leave for home, or go in before the rest of us. This is meant to be a social mix thing. You can shower (map is at HQ) starting at 10:00 and then take a nap if you are done early.

v Specifics:

· SAFETY, SAFETY, SAFETY. If one participant is seriously injured, maimed, or worse the entire event is a total failure. Take care of each other!!!

· Weather report is…

· Temp: Day , Night

· Illumination: %, Sunset, ; Moonrise, ; Moonset, ; Sunrise,

· Wind:

· Precipitation:

· At each TA there will be hot soup. Have a bunch; I will not run out.

· You must conduct the course by pairs (twos) as a minimum. No one will move solo! If you want to move as 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7, that is fine. It may be 'the more the merrier.'

· There are several high-speed roads you will encounter and the course is designed to keep you off them: SR's 25 and 26, HWY 231, and CR 1400 N. You cannot avoid Division Road, be careful. If you have to move along them remember to walk against traffic, and ride with traffic. When terrain permits walk away from road in fields.

· Remember, tonight is party night; Saturday. Do not let some drunken country bumpkin blasting home end all your races in life. Caution and yield!!!

· You may canoe with 2 or 3 in a canoe. PFD's on during all canoeing.

· Your red chem. light is for emergency use only, such as marking your location to be picked up.

· When you leave your bikes anywhere please carry your taillight with you also as an emergency beacon. If you have a beacon or a spare taillight just take that with you from the start.

· Canoeing: If you capsize consider the event over for you. You total focus is to get the canoe to shore and out of your wet clothes and into the dry ones you brought along. Hypothermia happens fast, and moving will help you, so hustle at this time. Even if you feel okay when you are changed, do not go on until you have fully assessed the situation. Remember, if you tip again, you have NO dry clothes. You may have to canoe to a location that we can pick you up.

· You will have to carry your canoe to and from the water, and take it off and put it on the trailer. If you are first, take you canoes from the bottom and load them at the top.

· There are markers like this one at each NP (Navigation Point).

· There are numerous places where you will have to find points on foot. You will even have to carry your bikes at least twice.

· You may get your feet wet. I recommend you carry an extra pair or two of socks. Cold wet feet equal less energy.

· Course is designed to allow you to move until your energy or time runs out. Please be back no later than noon.

· Remember, you will tire, and lose energy. The wind caused by riding will add to the chill effects. Watch each other closely for signs of hypothermia and/or frostbite. All manned CP's will let you warm up in vehicles, or give you emergency hand warmer pads. They WILL NOT give you their water or food!!!

· Ropes: Will be Rappelling, Ascending, and Traversing.

· I am providing _____ ascenders for use. You may use any appropriate mechanical device or prussiks. You should use the equipment you usually race with.

· You will await the okay of my site safeties before proceeding/conducting each station.

· Wear your helmets and gloves. You will need non-synthetic fingered gloves. If you have the leather palm workman's glove or something similar you will be fine.

· Clothing and hair needs to be tucked in and out of ropes reach.

· You will not use a knife while 'on rope!'

· You are responsible for donning your gear, safety checking each other, and hooking up to rope station. Your signal that you are ready is to be hooked into the safety line at each station. My assistants at the station will double check you and if you are incomplete/ unsafe will let the next team go ahead of you while you get it right. They will not hold up another team to help you, but will coach you as soon as they have time if you are having trouble. There is nothing in these three ropes challenges that should daunt you. Again, this is training. Some are training to be at the front, and others are looking to get started.

· If you want to bypass, you can make that judgment there. Do not make it now! The site captain will provide you with the information there to make your decision.