Version 5 - last updated July 06, 2005 at 6:00 pm

Gear check will be performed during the pre-race checkin. You will be required to produce and show proficient use of required gear. There will be random gear checks during the race - ask anyone from our previous events - we do random gear checks throughout the race, and your team will be assigned a penalty for any missing required gear, and disqualified from the race for any missing safety gear. We do this to help ensure the safety of everyone participating in our events.

This list may be periodically updated. It is your responsibility to check back here for any changes right up to the race date. However, we will do our best to not change the required equipment list two weeks prior to the race date.

The mandatory gear will be divided into two categories; "general" required gear, and "safety" gear. If any of the gear listed as "safety" gear is missing during the gear checks on the race course, the team will be immediately disqualified from completing the race and will not be considered for official rankings. Required safety gear is marked with a red double asterisk (**) in the below gear list.

Please note that you and your team will be required to carry both the required individual and team gear as appropriate for each section of the race (eg Mountain Biking Individual and Team gear for the Mountain Biking stage). All team members must carry the required individual gear listed as "required for all sections" through all sections of the race. If you or your team has an alternate piece of gear that you believe will fulfill the requirements of something listed here, please email us at and let us know. But please let us know well before the race checkin, otherwise expect to have the exact items we list here.

The mandatory boat or boats must by design be able to accomodate all members of the team. You may use any mix of single person, tandem, triple, or quad person type boats. This means you may use Kayaks, Canoes, or Rafts - however, rafts and recreational canoes may not be very "competitive". You may not use any boat designed as a "sailboat", however you may utilize the wind in any fashion you choose. You may not use any boat designed to be rowed (eg. with "oarlocks").

NOTE: ROPES SECTION HAS BEEN CANCELLED. You do not need any ropes equipment for this race.

• Individual Mandatory Equipment
  • Required for ALL sections
    1. ** Drivers License, Road-ID, or other Picture ID
    2. Backpack
    3. Container to carry adequate fluids (2 liters minimum)
    4. ** Light (functional headlight or equivalent)
    5. ** Whistle
    6. ** Space blanket
    7. Eye protection (sun glasses, etc...)
    8. Knife with locking blade.
    9. Long sleeve water resistant/wind resistant jacket
  • Mountain Biking Equipment
    1. Mountain Bike
    2. ** Bike helmet with chin strap CPSC and/or ANSI approved (MUST be worn at all times during MTB section)
    3. One extra bike tube per person
  • Ropes/Rapelling Equipment (PRO COURSE only)
    CANCELLED
  • certified climbing harness
  • ATC Rappel Device
  • 2 locking carabiners
  • Backup Device (ONLY sewn sling, 24 inches in length)
  • ** Helmet (bicyle helmet okay, climbing helmet preferred)
  • Leather Gloves (ABSOLUTELY NO fingerless gloves)
  -->

• Kayaking Equipment
  1. ** Personal Flotation Device (PFD) Type III or V
  2. Paddle for each person

• Team Mandatory Equipment
  • Required for ALL Sections
    1. Pen or Pencil (recommend Pen)
    2. Waterproof map case - ziploc or similar bags will suffice (We recommend you bring two or three ziploc bags)
    3. Compass
  • Mountain Biking Equipment
    1. Bike Pump
    2. Chain repair tool
    3. Bike tool
  • Kayaking Equipment
    1. Kayak, Canoe, or Raft (any self propelled personal watercraft without oar locks or designed to be used prmarily as a sailing vessel), enough for all of your team members (singles, doubles, triples, or quads are all fine) We're working with some local companies to offer easy Kayak rental for our racers. Please check back later for details.
    2. One Throw rope 35 foot length minimum per team
  • ** First Aid Kit (1 kit per team) (see NOTE below)
    1. Sunscreen (1 oz)
    2. Safety pins (4)
    3. Scissors (1)
    4. Razor blade (1)
    5. Needle (1)
    6. Moleskin (4 to 6 inch square)
    7. Butterfly bandages (4)
    8. Gauze pads (4)
    9. Adhesive tape (1 roll)
    10. Triangular bandage or bandana (1)
    11. Tweezers (1)
    NOTE: This is the required minimum first aid gear list. Although we have trained medical staff available, your safety is your responsibility. You may be isolated from help for long periods of time and as such, you should be prepared to deal with any medical issues that your team might encounter. We highly encourage your team to have at least one (and preferably two) members trained in basic First Aid, Wilderness First Responder, etc...

• Recommended Equipment
  1. Altimeter
  2. Gaiters
  3. Extra clothing
  4. Bailing device per boat (eg a scoop, pump, etc)
  5. Pen, Pencils, Hi-Liters for map work
  6. Cell Phone (emergency use only)
  7. Extra Cash (purchase of food/water only on the race course)

• Prohibited Equipment
  1. Machete, Axe, or similar implement
  2. GPS (including Timex Bodylink or equivalents)
  3. Radio
  4. Night vision equipment
  5. Binoculars (or equivalent)
  6. Weapons
  7. any mode of motorized/vehicular transportation not specifically authorized by the race staff

We believe this required gear will help keep the race safe and fun for everyone involved.
If you have any questions please send email to: