Team DarkGlobe - Adventure Racing - Ladysmith

Team DarkGlobe

Adventure Racing Team

Mind Over Mountain Adventure Race
Saturday, July 26, 2003
Ladysmith, BC, Canada

Entry Fee: $125 CAD Per Person
Race Start Time: 9:00am
Check In Time: 6 - 10pm, Friday, July 25th, Transfer Beach
Duration: 8 Hours
Distance: 45 Km - 10 km Kayak, 8 km Trekking, 21 km Biking
Disciplines: Kayaking, Mountain Biking, Trail Running, Orienteering, Navigation & Mystery Events
Support Crew: Not Required
Divisions: Teams of 4, Teams of 2, Solo
Banquet Location: Aggie Hall, Ladysmith, 6:30pm
Website: Mind Over Mountain
Info Pack: Race Info

Registered:

Gerry Chicalo (Navigator)

Geoff Dyck (2nd Navigator)

Craig McConnell (Captain)

Renee (2nd Captain)

Pre-Race

Due to a slight auto navigational error the majority of Team DarkGlobe arrived at the staging area a bit behind schedule although we were ready in time for the start.
CP 1 to 2

All watercraft (kayaks & canoes) launched and assembled into a vast flotilla. There was much congestion on the outset of the race, especially around the first island. At least one kayak capsized.

CP 2 to 3

Gerry arrived first at CP 2 and waited for the rest of Team DarkGlobe to catch up. Craig paddled by and headed to the end of the paddling legs at CP 3. When Geoff and Renee reached Coffin Rocks (CP 2) it was decided that Gerry would tow Renee. A secret word was to be noted on the far side of Coffin Rocks. We arrived at the end of the kayak legs well in the rear of the pack, but not dead last.
CP 3 to 4

After beaching the kayaks we immediately started on the somewhat muddy and barnacle covered rocky beach run to the tunnel and the creek. Part way up the slippery creek run towards CP 4 we realized that we forgot to get the CP 3 sticker for our team passport. We decided that Craig would run back for it while we waited for him with his pack. We made good use of the time by hydrating, eating, adjusting equipment and planning the course navigation. About 25 minutes later Craig returned with the sticker, and unfortunately a badly twisted knee. We pushed on to CP 4.
CP 4 to 5

We trail ran up the slightly uphill gravelly path on the bank of the creek towards CP 5 near the small water reservoir. We had to stop and tape Craig's injured knee. About 3 quarters of the way to CP 5 Craig decided he would have to drop out of the race at CP 5. Very close to CP 5 we took a wrong turn and had to back track about 50 meters.
CP 5 to 6

We chose the power line and the 60 meter bushwhack here, rather than the longer gravel road run. At CP 6 we were puzzled by the lack of CP personnel on site. We could not find CP 6. Later we realized that CP 6 was un-manned and was a free-bee; the sticker was already in place on our race passport.
CP 6 to 7

Realizing that we had to hurry if we were to make it to the mountain bike legs before the cut off time of 2:00 pm we headed up the very steep grade towards CP 7 at Heart Lake. We were able to catch up and pass a few competitors on this strenuous and hot leg.
CP 7 to 8

Bushwacking on a bearing of 120 degrees led us through dense salal, a wasp's nest (Gerry was stung once in the ankle) to the top of a ridge were we were to intersect with a trail. Estimating that we had gone the 600 meters we were puzzled with the lack of appearance of the trail. After consulting the altimeter and map we determined that we had not gone far enough and found the trail after another 50 meters of bushwhacking. We ran down the trail to CP 8.
CP 8 to 9

After running further down the trail we cut off at the orange and black flagging and headed down a steep hillside with a rudimentary trail over logs and other obstacles. We were able to pass a few more competitors on this leg.
CP 9 to 10

Hopping on our bikes we quickly realized that Craig had all the tools, the pump and the patch kit. A mechanical failure or a flat tire would finish us. We were able to replenish our water supply at the start of the mountain biking leg. Soon after leaving for CP 10 we took the high road on the power line, instead of the correct low road, and noticed many competitors coming back down the road towards us. We quickly determined that this was the wrong road and got back on the low road. We were able to pass many of these competitors due to their navigational error.
CP 10 to 11

We road along the power line and passed a few more competitors. The final 100 meters to CP 10 was in the blazing hot sun were we had to hike-a-bike up a dusty, sandy trail to the check point. It seemed that many competitors would linger at the check points and we were able to pass many of them by getting our sticker and moving on immediately.
CP 11 to 12

After a bit of steep downhill double track we started on the long gradual climb on the gravel road to CP 12. The heat took its toll as we struggled up the rolling hills.
CP 12 to 13

The gravel road continued to climb and eventually we had to leave it for a climbing dirt road that led past Stocking Lake to CP 13.
CP 13 to 14

Some very excellent, but dusty, single track riding took us through the second growth forest and a couple of logging slashes to CP 14. The single track was very rideable with a slight down hill grade.
CP 14 to 15

Single track down a steep hill which turned into double track, then back into single track. Sections were very sandy which made the speed treacherous. We arrived back at the mountain biking starting point with only a couple of minor wipe outs and mechanical difficulties.
CP 15 to 16

From here we headed up the power line back to the small water reservoir where we made the slight navigational error earlier in the trekking section. From here the trail led us on the other bank of Holland Creek and some fine downhill single track that was strenuous in it's own way. Geoff experienced a severe endo here, but was able to recover and get under way immediately.
CP 16 to Finish

A short single track trail took us to the highway where we rode along the edge of it to a couple of residential streets. A bit of up and down pavement took us to a tunnel under the highway and back to the beach where we launched and landed the kayaks. Amid cheering we were directly to park our bikes and had to run a lap where we met back up with the injured Craig. We all crossed the finish line at 7 hours and 20 minutes; within the allowed 8 hour cut off time.

Kayak Stage Trekking Stage Bike Stage Finish Penalties Total Time

1:52:00 2:26:54 2:49:06 7:08:00 0:20:00 7:28:00

Epilogue

Although we did not complete the course as the 4 person co-ed team due to injury, we felt satisfied that we were able to get to the finish line within the time limit and a good time was had by all. A lot was learned and we will apply this experience to our next adventure race fun.
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Mountain Biking & Trekking Map

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Kayaking Map

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Pre-race Starting Instructions
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Craig and Geoff Staging for Start of Race

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Renee Staging for Start of Race

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Approaching Coffin Rocks

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Geoff in Beach Run Followed by Renee