2019 Nav-X Challenge @ 100 Lakes

UPDATE: DATES HAVE CHANGED DUE TO HIGH SNOW LEVELS

Quick Info

• Dates: 3 days in July & August (Sat July 27th, Sat Aug 3rd, Sat Aug 17th)

• Location: Tahoe National Forest - Grouse Ridge

• Event Director: July 27th: Vicki Woolworth, Aug 3rd: Andrew Peterson, Aug 17th: Dennis Wilkinson (contact)

• Course Director: Mats Jansson

• Courses: 3 & 6h Map Trek

List of Registered Entrants

Follow this link to an updated list of entrants.

Up to date Leaderboard

3h Leaderboard

6h Leaderboard

Event Summary

Important: This event is different then most of our events! We will be using a smartphone app called “Sporteering” that will punch controls via GPS/GR Code.

We will be providing a semi-permanent course at 100 Lakes in July & August, with three official group starts, you choose a Saturday that suits your schedule when you sign up. Scores from these group starts will be combined into an overall event result, which will also count toward our annual series. In addition, the course will remain open for casual enjoyment during the entire month. A Nav-X staff member will be there to staff each Saturday start, but we will not otherwise provide infrastructure or facilities (like snacks - sorry!). With a reduced presence on any given day, our event will be allowed and will not place too much stress on the area.

Checkpoints will be marked with laminated barcode tags, which will be carefully placed to be visible if you’re in the right spot. We'll use the new Sporteering phone app to provide timing and results. We will provide full details on our event page, but briefly, you will need to download the Sporteering app and register an account; you may also need a battery backup system for your phone. Punching uses GPS for verification, with the physical QR tag as a backup. The app will store your punches and upload your results after the event, once you get an Internet connection.

100 Lakes is a beautiful area north of Hwy 80 and West of Donner summit is the Sierra at its best - fairly open, lots of granite slabs and lakes galore (hence the name 100 Lakes). We will be using an improved Topo map at scale 1:15,000. While not orienteering level detail, this map will have very accurate contours (from Lidar) and pretty reliable vegetation shadings using the very latest auto-draft technologies from OCAD. This is a brand new map, folks. It should be a real treat for anyone who enjoys the high country at the best time of year, whether you are looking for a scenic hike, or an endurance race against some of the best in the west! Due to limited facilities (parking, bathrooms, etc.) at the trailheads, we will spread our competition out over three Saturdays in July & August - pick a day that works for you. Controls will be marked with barcodes that you scan with your phone, in place of our regular timing system. As a result, we're able to keep the fees to a low $25.

Schedule

New to Map Trekking or Rogaining?

Map Trekking is a “Navigation Sport” that has elements of a few other sports and activities like Trail Running, Fell Running (XC hill running), Hiking, Orienteering and Geo Caching.  More specifically, Map Trekking is a time-based challenge, 2 hrs or more in length, where participants try to score as many points as possible within the time allowed, by visiting checkpoints scattered across a vast, wild landscape.  Participants are free to decide which checkpoints to visit, and in what order.  Typically, a set time is allowed before the start for participants to study the map, and determine their route.  Participants travel on foot and navigate their chosen route using the map and a compass (No GPS allowed except for recording your track).  A late finish comes with point penalties, adding another layer of challenge to the sport.  Checkpoints vary in difficulty and the point value reflects the same, so that easy ones yield a lower point value than difficult ones.  To encourage beginners, course setters typically provide plenty of easy checkpoints near the start and finish location.

Venue / Park Info

The Sierra Nevada mountains of California are world famous for their beauty and wildness. However, almost all of the upper elevations is federally designated Wilderness and therefore forbidden for organized group events or races. 100 Lakes is one of the rare regions around 7000 feet where we are allowed to race (low impact style) and we are excited to bring you the 2019 NAV-X Challenge #3 at this beautiful venue! The race area has mostly low/moderate undergrowth and steepness, by California standards, and there are close to a hundred small lakes in the basin. The mapped area supports a map trek up to about 8+ hrs. The West part of the mapped area has some reddish rock areas, more broken up, while the rest is typical Sierra granite slabs scattered throughout. There are a few trails, though much of the advanced control points will require long stretches of cross country travel. It will be possible for beginners to string together loops that will make significant use of trails. Due to the few access points to the area, we will have a remote start/finish - plan for a 15 minute downhill walk to the Start, and then again back up after finishing (same place as the Start). A NAV-X representative will be there each Saturday to hand out maps and start everyone off.

About the Map

This is a new map, suitable for map trekking. It is considered an "improved Topo" map. However, compared to most such maps, this one will have very accurate contour lines, owing to available Lidar data. In addition, using the latest auto-draft technology in OCAD, vegetation shadings will be more accurate than normal for Topo. The map will be printed in 1:15,000 scale.

Courses & Divisions

There will be two courses offered:

• 3 hr Map Trek

• 6 hr Map Trek

Participants can compete in the following divisions:

• Junior (19 & Under, 1-5 person teams)

• Open Female (20-49, 1-5 person teams, All-female)

• Open Male (20-49, 1-5 person teams, All-male)

• Open Mixed (20-49, 2-5 person teams, mixed Male-Female)

• Masters Female (50 and up, 1-5 person teams, All-female)

• Masters Male (50 and up, 1-5 person teams, All-male)

• Masters Mixed (50 and up, 2-5 person teams, mixed Male-Female)

• Family - Adults (20+) + children (12 & under)

Results from this event count toward the 2019 Series Championship.

Price

There is a flat rate registration fee of $25 for all adults at this event, and $15 for juniors, for both the 3h & 6h, any division. You need to pre-register, no day of registration. Registration will be open until midnight the Thursday before the event (July 25, Aug 1, Aug 15).

For family teams (2-hr course only), it is required to have at least one adult (20 & over) and at least one child (12 & under).  Children 12 & under race free.  Children must be registered and accompanied by an adult.

Refund Policy

Refund policy: 100% refund up to 10 days before event. Future race credit 1-9 days before event. No refunds for no-show.

What to Bring

Wear what you would normally wear for a strenuous hike in Northern California.  Here are some tips:

• Sturdy shoes with a good tread

• Long pants or gaiters

• Visor hat

• Compass (you may rent one for $2)

• Pen and maybe a highlighter marker (for marking up your map and making notes)

• Water (enough for the time you will be out on the course)

• On the go snacks (energy bar, gel, etc.)

Map and Directions

From Sacramento:

Ttake Hwy 80 East to Yuba Gap. Exit 161 take Hwy 20 West 3.9 miles. Turn right on Bowman Lake Rd and follow it 6.3 miles. Turn right on Grouse Ridge Rd and follow it 5 miles to the Campground. Grouse Ridge Rd is a dirt road that is pretty rocky in some spots, but 4WD or high clearance is not required - passenger cars OK.

From Truckee/Reno:

Take Hwy 80 West for about 24 miles. Exit 161 take Hwy 20 West 3.9 miles. Turn right on Bowman Lake Rd and follow it 6.3 miles. Turn right on Grouse Ridge Rd and follow it 5 miles to the Campground. Grouse Ridge Rd is a dirt road that is pretty rocky in some spots, but 4WD or high clearance is not required - passenger cars OK. From Sacramento, take Hwy 80 East to Yuba Gap. Exit 161 take Hwy 20 West 3.9 miles. Turn right on Bowman Lake Rd and follow it 6.3 miles. Turn right on Grouse Ridge Rd and follow it 5 miles to the Campground. Grouse Ridge Rd is a dirt road that is pretty rocky in some spots, but 4WD or high clearance is not required - passenger cars OK.