“Required Gear” is critical to adventure racing. This is gear an Adventure Race Director has deemed necessary to up the odds for racer safety, and gear that is necessary to complete the various race disciplines. However, required gear sometimes flies in the face of many racers, as most of us want to be as light as possible and the thought of carrying things like…a tent…makes our weight-weenie hinnies pinch tightly! But, we also want to be safe…for the most part! That said, we’re always looking for the best of both worlds.

Well, we think we’ve found that with NEMO’s Nano Elite tent. This is an adventure racing specific tent made by NEMO Equipment, a New Hampshire based tent and gear maker. We were introduced to NEMO at a recent Outdoor Retailer trade-show. We were not only impressed with their gear, their attention to detail, and awareness of what consumers value (whether they be adventure racers or backpackers), but also the enthusiasm and knowledge of the NEMO team.

 

We eventually were able to try their Nano Elite tent during a few races this summer, namely Untamed New England. On top of that, we were able to visit their shop in New Hampshire. THAT was very cool! The vibe and everything else that bubbled from this shop was very cool and something we’ll remember. We also met more of NEMO’s staff. They’re not some corporate giant all caught up in their underpants. They’re very cool, innovative, and super committed gear junkies! Note, they have some very brainy engineers designing their gear—some are Ivy League schooled!

Many racers will attempt to skirt required “shelter” requirements by trying to check things like tarps, space blankets, and other “shelter-like” contraptions. We’ve tried this and while the concept sounds great, the execution can be spotty and sometimes simply unsafe. Example: Try warming a hypothermic teammate under a floppy Wal-Mart tarp while sitting in a foot of snow on an exposed slope as a downpour of sleet and wind drive misery into your soul! We’ve tried this and—while it sounds sexy—it sucks! More importantly, it boarders on simply being unsafe and stupid.

So, why deal with the above when for close to same space and weight you can have an actual tent that will withstand most anything. This is where NEMO’s Nano Elite tent comes in. It comes in at a scant 2.8 pounds! I’ve used the “shelter-like” contraptions described above and other ultra-light tents, and the Nano Elite packs better than most and is definitely more functional and safe that most. The tent body packs down small via a compression sack and the DAC Featherlite poles are stored separately in another bag. This allows flexibility when packing. The tent itself is built as a single wall, with 2D non breathable, fully taped waterproof silicon-nylon material. This makes for a very light, while durable and water-proof body. There are vents up top that allow adequate airflow. Admittedly, there will be condensation due to the body material (single wall and waterproof). However, I’ve never met a system like this that didn’t have some condensation. (NEMO is actually working on adding more vents to a future release of the Nano Elite.)

 

 

 

There are other options that not only make the Nano Elite effective, but also flexible. There’s a screen door, which aids in ventilation. But that can also be removed all together to save weight. The Velcro straps that line the inside and hold the poles in place are nice, but can actually be cut off if you’re really trying to save weight. The tent will stand and stay fine without them. The Nano Elite also comes with stakes; a luxury you can also leave at home to save weight. With just these adjustments, the total weight can actually lessened!

In terms of space, Nano Elite works perfectly for an adventure racing team of 4. It’s certainly not spacious—but that’s not what we’re looking for. Sleeping in a puppy-pile or head-to-toe works best. Plus being this close keeps everyone warm! Durability is also tops with the Nano Elite. We’ve shuttled this tent in and out of our packs both wet and dry; nicely packed and quickly stuffed. Each time we saw no wear, no tear, and no problems.

Oh, and here’s a cool idea NEMO has as their own: inflatable poles. Yea—you read that right. Poles that are essentially made of air! Did I already say these guys are smart!?

Check out our Untamed New England pics, which include our visit to NEMO’s shop and some glam shots of the Nano Elite at Balsams Resort (the site of Untamed New England’s start and finish): http://www.flickr.com/photos/dirtyavocados/sets/72157621426436076/

And click here for a look at NEMO’s website and more on the Nano Elite: http://www.NEMOequipment.com/NEMO09-nanoelite-tent

                The Dirty Avocados sent a strong team to the Big Blue 24 hour race on August 1^st.  Angel Garbarino, Brian Schmitz and Mike Chastaine made up the threesome with high hopes of getting on the podium.  There was a very good field present including ARnav, True Grit as well as several strong two man teams.

                We got the maps about an hour before the start and saw that the race was a series of checkpoints which we would bike and trek too.  There would not be a separate bike and run section.  Virtually every CP was on a mountain peak so there would be a lot of climbing.  The CP’s were spread out over a large area with no obvious route.   There was a “central” gear drop at Marlette lake.    In reality it was out of the way and not a place you wanted to go more than once. Given the almost unlimited route choices, I suspect that every team took a different route.

                The race started with a paddle across the lake.  We had a strong paddle in our triple kayak covering the distance in 3:15  – about 4 minutes behind ARnav and about 7 minutes ahead of Tim Kuenster and Kent Ryochuck.

                A quick transition to jump on the bike but plans changed.  We had planned on riding up to Spooner Lake along highway 28, get 2 CP’s on the way and then do the orienteering course.   The O course would not open till early afternoon so we figured we had time to get the CP’s and hit the O course in the daylight.  However the highway was closed due to some kind of damage so we had to reroute our plans on the fly.  We did get the first CP (15) on Highway 28, then back tracked to Tunnel Creek. We moved along at a good pace, climbing up tunnel creek and locating each CP after some trekking.   This race required a great deal of cross country navigating.   We would ride to the location we thought was the best access then change into running shoes and hoof it up the mountain to grab the check point.   We got 3 (7200 feet) then 4 (about 8700 feet).  We accessed 6 (8300 feet) off of the Flume Trail.  We jumped off the trail and climbed 600 feet straight up to the peak, then right back down.

                Around early afternoon I was running out of water.  We needed to get our lights for the evening and to get more food to carry us  through the night.  This required that we go to the gear drop which dictated our route a bit and the reason we were on the Flume trail.  We got our stuff and headed off.  We were checking off the CP’s quickly and felt like we were in good shape. 

                After the gear drop we climbed up to Marlette Peak and to CP5 (8600 feet).  We missed the intersection but got a bit of help from Kent and Tim.  At this point I knew we were in pretty good shape and had a shot at getting all the CP’s.

                After 5 we dropped down from Herlan Peak and ran into True Grit.  CP 7 looked like it could be accessed from the trail that we were on but they were having a terrible time finding it and had given up.  Given that information, it looked like it would be easier to access from below, so we continued down the hill, found the reentrant and headed up.  At this location was Tirobe who had just gotten the CP.  True Grit followed us up and we got the CP with little trouble.  From here, it was along the Red House flume trail to Red House for the only easy CP (8) on the whole course.

As we rode to Red House darkness fell.  We were feeling pretty good about things although I had been dragging going up some of the climbs.  At Red House we were still with True Grit.  The next two CP’s were 9 (7740) and 10 (8200) These CP’s were on opposite ends of a ridge so we parked the bikes in the middle and obtained both CP’s by running across the ridge.  True Grit picked a different route. As it was getting dark we could see that a storm was rolling in.  By the time we got back to the bike it was starting to rain a bit.  The rain got harder and the thunder and lightning came in.  For a while it was right on top of us and we sought shelter under a tree.   While we were sitting under the tree, True Grit rolled by heading for the next CP – 11 (8200 feet).  We were concerned about going up to the next summit and wanted to wait it out.  Fortunately, the storm passed through quickly and we were able to get on our way.  We slogged up to 11, which was on the west face of some cliffs and after climbing around for a bit with True Grit we found the flag.

                The next 2 CPS, 12 (8982) and 13 (8992)  were near the top of Snow Valley Summit.  This was a long climb up to 9200 feet.  I was feeling pretty low at this point and the hike-a-bike was killing me.  It took a while to get to the junction next to the summit.  We were leap frogging with True Grit on the hike a bike up.  We both headed toward 12 together, and after some searching found it.  We took off in a slightly different direction back then True Grit and soon we were apart.  We wondered along and before I knew it were heading South, a direction I didn’t want to go.  It was pitch black out but I could see the lights from North Shore so was able to obtain a bearing.  Somehow we had walked over the main road we were looking for.  We turned and climbed up the slope, hoping to find the towers on the summit of Snow Valley.  We found them and then got a bearing.  Here, however, is where we had a brain fart.  Instead of just turning around and heading south to the next CP, which was only about ¾ of a mile away, we headed north down the road towards our bikes.  Once we got to our bikes we decided to skip 13 and 14 and head to the O course.  We had some weird logic about being able to get more points on the O course.  It was about 4 am at this point and our thinking was obviously less then clear.  As it turned out, True Grit got 13 and 14 before heading to the O course.  This was the difference between 1^st and 2^nd.  Now, several weeks later I still don’t know why we did it, except that we were tired and lost focus for a minute. 

                In any event, we did the long ride down Snow Valley and to Spooner Lake.  When we got to Spooner, it was still dark.  Todd told us that the O course was very difficult in the dark and suggested that we go get 16 in the mean time.  We took his advise and heading down the road to 16.  This CP, was on Deadman Point and turned out to be very difficult.  As we were hiking around trying to get to the summit with the CP, we became concerned that we would not make the 9:00 cut off.  The penalty for being late was very steep, so we turned around empty handed and went back to Spooner and the O course.  We got 2 CPs on the O course and headed to the finish for 2^nd in the co-ed  behind True Grit and 5^th overall behind 3 two man teams.

                Over all it was a good effort and we worked well as a team.  We had a 4 am hiccup which cost us, but otherwise the navigation was strong.   We were a little disappointed in ourselves for making a silly mistake but overall were happy with our performance.  We are looking forward to the Tahoe Big Blue.

 

Occasionally a hot topic will hit our team’s email-list and a flood of replies, remarks, and rebuttals fly around like spokes popping off a poorly built wheel. Our comments and observations—regardless of the theme—are generally laced with comedy, wit, and plenty of spirit.  With the start of another Primal Quest here, some of us digressed to discussing why some races drive competitors to … stop, shout “UNCLE!”, tap-out, or quit.  Below are excerpts from our dialogue.  Enjoy!

“A popular reason for elite or pro teams dropping is because they’re not performing as well as they expected. A popular reason for the rest of us is that one simply “can’t take it any more.”  That has different interpretations depending on the individual.”

“A popular reason pro/elites quit, is to avoid putting their reputation and or sponsor’s reputation in a bad light.  Essentially a DNF is sometimes perceived as better than finishing in the back of the back. There are a myriad of reasons others would quit.  Everyone has their breaking point.  That point could be based on physical or mental exhaustion or injury.  Or relationship, personality or team dynamics issues.
If you really want to get to the root cause(s), I think you have to not explore the reasons one would quit a race.  Instead, explore the reason one would START a race.  In other words, ask the question: why are you racing? The deeper and more emotional the reason), the farther away is that “quit button”.  For example, if one is racing for money, ego, or even for casual fun, then I’m guessing that quit button is within reach.  However, if one is racing for survival, or in memory of a lost loved one or for a charity, or out of commitment and dedication to their team or others, then I’m guessing that quit button is much farther away.  These are the kinds of questions one should ask themselves and your teammates.”

“I’m not so much of a numbers, stats, ranking type of person. My viewpoint is more from the other side, one of which is experiences, survival, in tune with nature and pushing personal goals. So I’m more likely to keep pushing until I die rather then pull the cord 2 days in cause I’m not in the top 10.  I don’t care to ever race with a racer(s) that has that viewpoint either.
Think back at all of the post race and AR community events discussions you’ve had with other racers. What resonates is where you went and raced—not how you did. Comradery and bonding take place over stories that the two teams had during the same race even though they may have been days apart from each other on the field. For the sponsors that “get it”, this is what resonates with them and they appreciate this because they respect our passion and involvement. I am not interested in sponsors that continually ask for numbers, podiums and top finishes and don’t even know our names. Same goes for teammates that are only interested in this and not the big picture of team growth, personal growth, humility, skill sharing and refinement.”

“I’m a pretty firm believer that each of us on the DA’s races for the love of the sport…I know… vague.  Or should I say the challenge.  Perhaps it’s just best summed up with because it’s hard!  I really don’t think that any of us actually give a crap about fame, glory, sponsors, money—coming out of AR that is. So, let me stop saying we and just say I (even though I mean “we”).  I don’t race to be in an AR Mag or website, for prize money, sponsors gifts.  Now, don’t get me wrong I love all the extra gear and crap I have stuffed in my garage.  But, I would still race if I had to pay full price for it.  (Note: I just kicked myself in the shin for saying that.)
I’ve contemplated quitting many times during races.  It’s always when I’m totally out of it.  Not sure it’s always the “quit” mentality going through my mind but the “please someone just shoot me and get me out of my misery here” mindset.  After experiencing that a few times I’ve learned that it goes away, you recover, and deal with what you can’t fix.  Be it loosing serious time, or an injury.  I would have to say that after all the racing I’ve done it would take a pretty serious injury to get me to quit.  Even if I was running in dead last.  Truthfully, I would probably have to be pulled from the race by the race director, maybe even physically.  This may be because I’m a hardheaded pig.  But, I think it goes back to why I race.  Because it’s hard.  I hate easy races (they are for racing with newbies).  It’s all about proving something to myself.  It’s about the freakin’ ADVENTURE!  And the stories you share with your friends when it’s over.”

“I was on the verge of quitting.  Figuring out why I was racing was the key to continuing on.  I haven’t DNF intentionally since.”

### BEGIN RACE UPDATES ###

(most recent update on top) 

TIME: 08/14/2009 - 10:09am MDT

Race Clock: 4 hours 39 minutes

Spot has a good map of the race up.  Go to the north and look for the traveling blue icons.  Focus in using the tool to the top left corner of the map. Select the team number you are looking for.  Mark Richason and Melissa Griffins are team 15.  They are traveling so close to team 18 that team 18’s icon may be above theirs.  Team 18 is Team SOAR, good friends of ours from Shasta, California.  Here is the link (you can find this at the main ecoprimalquest.com race site by clicking the “Tracking” tab): http://race.findmespot.com/spot-racing-ui/pgmap.jsp

TIME: 08/14/2009 - 9:00am MDT

Race Clock: 3 hours 30 minutes

Teams started off in Rapid City, South Dakota this morning at 5:30am on a marathon (26.2 miles) of a 600+ mile race.  Organizers revealed the course last night to teams, a course that includes over 120,000 feet of elevation gain (the most ever for a Primal Quest Race).  Racers will running, caving, swimming, climbing rock spires, paddling rivers, biking over badlands, sight seeing at Mt. Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial before returning to the finish in Rapid City.

The Sioux Falls Newpaper, the Argus is reporting that the race will consist of the following:

A TEST OF MANY SKILLS: Here is a breakdown of miles by event discipline (estimated):

 Running: 26.2 miles

 Trek/orienteering: 152.5 miles

 Mountain biking: 334 miles

 Open-water swim: 4.5 miles

 Kayaking: 19.5 miles

 Prairie paddle: more than 40 miles

 Climbing: 5.5 miles

 Caving: 2 miles  

There is a video at the race site showing organizers traveling over the race course.  The video is actually a series of very short clips that appeals to anyone with attention deficit syndrome: http://www.ecoprimalquest.tv/index.php?video=401

 

TIME: 08/13/2009 - 2:00pm PST

Race Clock: 12 hours 30 minutes to race start (3:30am Mountain Time)

Mark wrote us that his team has completed their skills checks, gear checks and has had a nap. He wrote, “We’ll have the maps by 1730 local time (Mountain Time Zone).” he continued saying, “we start at 0530, 0430 in California.”

 

He says that they have a good idea what they are going to do to make it through this race.  The people that they are staying with know the area and have given them a little local knowledge of the challenges that they may face.  If Mark is good at one thing its listening and studying in detail where he’s going and how he will get his team successfully to the finish line. So, at 4:30 am PST here in California we should be able to watch them start at ecoprimalquest.com

 

TIME: 08/13/2009 - 11:00am PST

Race Clock: 15 hours 30 minutes to race start (3:30am Mountain Time Zone)

Tomorrow morning at 4:30am teams will begin a journey lasting days and possibly over a week across 600 miles in the Dakotas.  Our teammate Mark Richardson has joined Melissa Griffins, Charley Karsa and Jared Hanley.

 This will be Mark’s second Primal Quest having raced at Primal Quest San Jaun Islands.  We wish them all the best of luck as we all follow their progress.

The team will be wearing small satillite Spot(TM) messengers which will show intermittent progress of the team.  See this page for a map showing their progress: http://www.spotadventures.com/user/profile?user_id=45926

Picture of the Spot Messengers team will carry (these do not give the team GPS coordinates.  They send a  message to a satellite which is pushed to a map on a website):