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What to Expect ...

Joy Marr / 13.11.2004

Joy Marr has designed the course for this year’s race and in the lead up to the race has briefed the teams to give them some idea what to expect. Here’s some of what she had to say;

On the River Gorges
Big South Fork Gorge is formed by multiple rivers and reminded me of the New River Gorge here in WV. And as some of my friends who have been rangers in both parks pointed out- it is very much like the New River Gorge ... but on steroids! After multiple trips to the area I have to agree. Some of the “side� river gorges are large enough to be confused with the “main� river gorge. Though the elevation only ranges from 400’ to 2000’, the multiple traverses of the gorge, during the race, will really add up ...

Navigation and Trekking
There are over 300 miles of mixed use trails with in the park, and though they are thought to be routinely “blazed� they are not, so good route finding will be key in making time on the trekking and biking legs.

Some of the routes used in this race will cover old roads and paths that are “proposed� to become trails, these have no blazes or signs and offer a chance for real navigation.

The trekking legs of the race will be challenging- the pace of travel will be unpredictable at times and the topography confusing, lending itself to longer than expected trek times. Once you have gotten a feel for the “lay of the land� you will better be able to judge your travel times.

River(s)
The paddling will consist of class I through class III whitewater. There will be long pools intermixed with many multi-level rapids. There will be mandatory portages but wheels will NOT be necessary.

You will be paddling for an entire day, and for some well into the evening hours (on flat water). Boats are provided and come on a first-come, first served basis, but all will be similar in size and weight.

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