To our friends and fellow adventurers, it is with the greatest of regret that we must announce the official cancellation of the Desert Rage Camp Verde Adventure Race.

Why you ask?

For the same reason this race is one of our favorites, it's also the most complicated. With 10 miles of moving water, reaching class III in really fast years, it requires more than a dozen people for safety (in our opinion). Because of this, we've been partnering for years with the Verde River Canoe Challenge. It is put on by a professor at NAU and his class on Event Management. They put on a GREAT event which we have also participated in a few times. As those of you who have participated in our race in the past have seen, there are many people on the river for safety. Only with that help would we feel comfortable in holding this race ourselves.

The local Forest Service office has decided that it's too much river traffic, and while we may not agree with their decision, they will not be granting us a permit for the same time as the Verde River Canoe Challenge. They have indicated they would be open to us holding the event on a different weekend, though the logistical challenges of not partnering are immense, not the least of which is getting a dozen experienced river safety people trained, in place, and waiting for us to come down the river. And there is even more.... The shuttling, cleaning the strainers from the river, etc.

Unfortunately, this also means this particular race will not be a Grand Canyon State Game. We're working on utilizing another though.

Should we hold it without the moving water? Maybe, but we feel it would lose too much. Should we fill the date with a race at McDowell Mountain Park with no paddling? considered it. Should we go to Bartlett Lake? Love to, but already have a permit that has spent 6 months without a signature for two other events at Bartlett. Should we go to Saguaro? We feel Saguaro needs a break since we've held at least 2 races there for the last three years.

As of writing this as it turns out, we've discovered the Verde River Canoe Challenge has also been cancelled though the reason was unclear. And I was just about to suggest we all sign up for the Canoe Challenge and run a mock event with the checkpoints and order determined by the roll of the dice.

So we had come up with another idea; An idea that would require commitment and participation for those who would have been competing and hopefully even more. While Sierra Adventure Sports can not take a role in the race, that doesn't mean that it couldn't be held as Arizona Adventure Racing Buddies event. Most of us are members of the group. Group events are not insured, are FREE, and everyone is 100% responsible for their own safety as if they were doing it entirely on their own.

If enough people like the idea, I can post 8.5x11 color topo maps of any area in AZ to our Yahoo group for printing. Every adventure racer we know has come across some great area and said "this would make a great race site". Still a thought in progress. Any other ideas are welcome, as well as a sound off those who would be interested in joining the party. Or maybe someone familiar with the area could design a new course up there for us to run. Eric M?

Thanks

Rick Eastman.

Results & Photos are at the bottom of page

The Desert Rage races will be approximately 5-10 hours in length, which usually equals 25-40 miles of mountain biking, kayaking and hiking.

Each of these races will also have an accompanying "Recreational" course for those who want to face many of the same challenges, though in a 12-15 mile format that can be completed in 2-5 hours. Rec courses are designed to be a beginner friendly entry into adventure racing.

Courses are designed to be "FUN", "Adventurous".
There will be multiple transitions in each race, usually from the same place unless we specify otherwise.
Course is kept secret until just prior to or after the race begins. Travel is typically completed by map and compass (we provide maps).

Teammates always travel together, this is not a relay
Cutoffs may be enforced along the course to keep things safe and moving forward while preserving the "Fun".

Desert Rage Phoenix 12-5

Who: 1, 2 and 3 person teams of Male, Female and Coed

Where: Saguaro Lake, at Butcher Jones Beach

When: 6am Long Course, 9am Recreational Course. Yes, you read it right, a dark start for the long course who will spend their first hour by headlamp on foot.

Get ready for an exciting adventure that will have you paddling, biking and trekking around beautiful Saguaro Lake.  We're pulling out all the stops. It's going to be a fast, furious day with lots of transitions, LOTS of opportunity to strategize, and lots of fun.  Make sure you read this THOROUGHLY and check back every once in awhile to see if there have been any updates!  Volunteers, we need you for this race more than ever.  Please join us and earn an $85 race credit toward a future race. 

25+ miles, 6-10 hours 
Recreational course of approximately 12-15 miles 3-6 hour finish time.  Cutoffs will be enforced for both courses.

Every vehicle, including volunteers, must pick up and display a "Tonto National Forest" users pass.  You can get them at Big5 Sporting goods, and many other places.  It is HIGHLY recommended that you get this before you leave as most places up there won't be open should you decide to arrive the morning of the race.  Here is more info: http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto/tp/index.shtml.  If you already have a "Golden Eagle" passport and the "Tonto Upgrade" sticker, you don't need the pass.  If you don't know what that is, you don't have one.  For those of you coming in from out of town, the closest metro area to Saguaro Lake is East Mesa or East Scottsdale. 

All race participants can look forward to an SAS running hat/visor as well as picnic type food at the end of the race.

What: Trekking, orienteering, mountain biking on trails and roads, lake paddling on Saguaro Lake & mystery events looping in & out of a single transition area.  You will have to plot checkpoints on 1:24,000 maps using provided UTM coordinates (NAD83 datum).  The race organization will provide contour maps covering the entire course on 8.5 x 11 sheets of non-waterproof paper, however, you are encouraged to bring your own maps should you desire.  Boat rentals available from Ted at Salt River Canoe and Kayak: 480-345-7258. 

The closest hotels are in Fountain Hills, AZ east of Phoenix.  Primitive camping is available throughout Tonto National Forest and within two miles of the Start.  Check out http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto/home.shtml for camping info or call (480) 610-3300. 

When: The will be opened with the gate at approximately 4:30am We'll begin check-in at that time. Rec course racers please show up no less than 30 minutes prior to the start of yoru race.  Pre-race meeting 15 minutes prior to start which is mandatory for all participants, Race start 6am.  In order to speed the check-in process, please have each of your teammates fill out and sign the waiver here: WAIVER and bring it with you.  Sunrise is at 7:18

Registration fees for the long course are:$95 per person, recreational course $85 per person.  Add $15 per person if registering after November 21st. Registration is closed on Wednesday prior.  Click here to register now

Refunds will not be given for any reason unless cancelled by us, however, in extreme circumstances the entry fee is transferable to a future race hosted by Sierra Adventure Sports.  Please understand this rule is in effect as arrangements for medical staff, insurance, etc., must be made in advance.

Dogtag Medals will be awarded to the top finishing Co-ed, all male, and all female teams. 

This is a fully self supported race where you supply your own food, water, kayak/canoe, paddle/oar and type III Life Vest, along with all other gear.  

Required Personal Gear (Every person must have & carry their own at all times).  We may have a gear check on the course where you could be penalized if you don't have this with you.  You do not have to carry paddle, pfd or kayak on sections other than water, helmets and bike gear only on bike section.

Required Team Gear

-A team first aid kit suitable for all activities
-Two compasses, each carried by separate individuals 
-A watch or method of keeping accurate time throughout the race
-5' of standard useable duct tape 
-One waterproof map case (Ziploc's allowed though something heavier preferred as maps aren't waterproof)
-One bike pump or inflation kit - Bike Leg 
-Mini repair/wrench tool - Bike Leg 
-Tire repair kit  - Bike Leg  
-At least two pencils or pens that write
-One FRS two-way radio to be used for emergencies. 12+mile range. 
-Water purification tablets, liquid or a water filter. Enough for 6 gallons of water in case of emergency.

* Racers may carry a cell phone, though they may not use it.  It is for Emergency purposes only and must be kept in the “Off” position for the duration of the race.  Penalties will result if anyone is caught using a phone.

...and a big thanks to our sponsors that make it possible:
www.REI.com
www.HammerNutrition.com
www.BootcampChicks.com
www.Racelab.com
www.ARbuddies.com
www.RoadID.com
www.Zanfel.com

Questions to Info@SierraAdventureSports.com

Desert Rage Camp Verde, AZ (Spring 2010)

Who: 1, 2, & 3 person teams of Male, Female, and Coed

Where: Camp Verde, Beasley Flats

When: You must check in by ... Be on a Shuttle by.... And the race starts at ...

Calendar of Events

 Fall 2010
Desert Rage Bartlett Lake
Carefree, AZ