Race and Gear Logistics

Gear Boxes

Each team will need four gear boxes, packed for various points of the race. The required gear box is the HDX 27 Gal tote (black bin with yellow lid). Note that this is a change from previous years. (We will NOT be using Action Packers for this year’s event.) These boxes are required because they are durable and can be transported easily. We can supply gear bins onsite for a cost of $15 per bin. Please email margo@adventureenablers.com within 2 weeks of the event if you will need bins. Pay and receive onsite at the Staging Area in Casper. Also, see table above.

​

Biking Sections

Terrain 

You’ll race on a mix of single-track, gravel fire road, and pavement. Depending on route choice, the terrain will vary. The single-track section requires little technical skills but will involve some short steep climbs, loose surface, and small obstacles. Some sections may require you to push or carry your bike.

Transport

Your bikes and gear will be moved along the course in the back of a truck as necessary. Bikes will be transported in bike boxes you provide. Participants must pack/unpack/build their own bike. Support staff will load and transport the bike boxes along the course as necessary. A bike box is mandatory and must conform to ARWS standards.

​

Paddling Sections

All paddle sections will be completed using packrafts (no canoes). The sections vary from Class I-III whitewater and flat water paddling. Teams will need to provide their own paddle equipment as outlined in the mandatory gear.

Gear  

Paddle gear will be transported as necessary along the course (see table above). Each team will be provided with a paddle bag at check-in. Paddle bags are 150cm x 50cm x 50cm with a 55-kg weight restriction. We have been crunching the numbers and working on logistics and there are some specific requirements for packing your paddle gear so we can make sure everything fits in our logistics trucks. All paddle equipment must fit in the paddle bag including at least two team members’ packrafts (two single or one double). Any remainding of the team’s packrafts must be labeled and will be transported along with the paddle bag. Two- and four-piece paddles must be placed in the bag. Single-piece paddles must be strapped to the top of the bag. At any paddle TA you will also have a transition bin. You will not be allowed any additional gear in your paddle bag or our logistics crew will not be able to lift them, especially if the gear is wet. Race officials and volunteers will transport packrafts along the course during non-packrafting sections. Pumps and packraft accessories must be packed and contained with each packraft and should not be left loose.

Packrafting  

Teams must bring packrafts sufficient to transport all team members. You will be paddling in flat water and moving water Class I-III. Good quality 1- or 2-person packrafts are highly recommended. All packrafts will have an AIS inspection during check-in. Follow their Drain, Clean, and Dry Procedure: CLEAN all plants, mud, and debris. Flush interior compartments. DRAIN all water from watercraft. DRY watercraft and equipment before launching in a new body of water. See AIS guidelines to ensure your boat will pass the inspection.
Kokopelli Packraft​, out of Denver, is offering a 15% discount to Worlds participants. Visit www.kokopellipackraft.com, enter code ARWC in the Discount Line at checkout, and click Apply for any packraft purchase. They also may have a few demo packrafts for rent. info@kokopellipackraft.com

​

Ropes Section

Gear 

As part of your mandatory gear you are required to wear a climbing-specific helmet (provided). See the mandatory gear list for more details.

Rappel/Abseil

The ropes section will consist of a rappel on some of Wyoming’s stunning rock outcrops. More details on equipment requirements will be forthcoming as details are finalized.
 

Our expectations are that you are proficient and have experience rappelling. We will be performing a skills test during check-in to make sure you know how to put on your harness securely, connect your rappel device to a rope, maneuver into a rappel position, and control descent. If it has been a while since you last rappelled, please take some time to familiarize yourself with your gear and rappelling technique. Experts will be on site for safety and ropes management; they are not there to provide instruction. We will have an option to skip the ropes section, but it will involve a heavy time penalty. Climbing helmets will be provided for racers.

​

Maps and Plotting

We aim to provide detailed maps with all the information you will need to make the best route choices between checkpoints. Maps provided are at various scales from 1:24,000, 1:50,000 and 1:100,000 depending on the detail you will need to navigate along the course. Maps will be printed on 11” x 17” (A3) waterproof paper and all points will be pre-plotted. Maps are based off USGS topo map. Symbology for USGS maps can be found here. Maps will be printed double sided and each team will receive two sets of maps. Maps will be distributed during lockdown prior to the race start. You will be required to navigate using various types of maps. Map and compass skills are necessary to locate most of the checkpoints. No GPS units are allowed. Map scales will vary. 

​

Staging and Transporting Equipment on the Course

No staging of equipment is required or allowed. A gear bin with your supplies will be transported between TAs. Your bike and other equipment will be transported as necessary. See Logistics Outline for which bins will be at which TAs. 

​

Cut-Off Times

If teams fail to meet certain cut-off times, they will be short-coursed and may be forced to skip certain sections of the course. See Logistics Outline. Teams will not be short-coursed the first 72 hours of the race.

​

Water

Natural water sources are available along the course and at some TAs. These vary from lakes to running rivers. All natural water sources will need to be treated. We will have potable water available for emergency situations such as severe dehydration and medical emergencies. If necessary, we will also be providing potable water on some legs of the course for refilling hydration systems.

​

Course Markings

No direction arrows, tape, markers, etc. are placed on the course (unless specifically noted in the course notes or on maps).

​

Time Estimates

The Logistics Outline contains time estimates for each leg of the race. Course notes (sent via email ~2 weeks before the race starts) will contain time estimates for each leg of the race. “Fast” times are based on the estimated speed of a top-3 team completing that section during the daylight, in good weather conditions, and excluding sleep. “To Finish” times are based on estimated speed of a team who will complete the full course and finish just prior to the final race cut off, completing that section during the daylight, in good weather conditions, and excluding sleep.

​

Support

No outside assistance (as defined in the ARWS rules) is allowed. Outside assistance of any kind will be grounds for disqualification. You can receive assistance from other teams, however.

​