Due to the extreme nature of this event, only teams of two will be able to compete. Each team will be required to carry the equipment necessary to sustain them for 24 hours. At Racer Check-In, all teams will have their gear checked and judged. This gear must then remain with the racers until the Aspen finish line, where it will be checked again.
RACERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR TEAMMATES! TEAMS MUST REMAIN IN VISUAL CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER AND ENTER AND EXIT ALL MANDATORY CHECK POINTS TOGETHER. SEPARATED RACERS PUT THEMSELVES AND EACH OTHER IN JEOPARDY – THEY WILL BE DISQUALIFIED AND REMOVED FROM THE COURSE. IF ONE TEAM MEMBER BECOMES UNABLE TO FINISH, THE OTHER TEAM MEMBER MUST STAY WITH THEIR TEAMMATE. RACERS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO FINISH ALONE OR WITH OTHER TEAMS. IF A RACER IS FOUND SEPARATED FROM THEIR PARTNER, THEY WILL BE DISQUALIFIED FROM THIS AND ALL FUTURE GRAND TRAVERSE RACES.
Racers must compete on skis and must finish with the same gear they started with. Due to the unpredictable nature of this course and the certainty of variable spring conditions, the race organizers strongly recommend the use of sturdy skis with at least 3/4-length metal edges. Boots and bindings designed for un-groomed backcountry terrain are absolutely necessary. Please remember, no evacuation will be provided for racers with broken or insufficient equipment.
Racers will travel in teams of two and must be together at all times. Teams must follow the pre-determined race course dictated at the Mandatory Racer Meeting. Racers failing to do so will be disqualified.
Racers must start and finish with all their gear. All gear should be marked with Racer or Team name. Gear left on course will result in a disqualification. The top 5 teams in each category (Men, Women, Coed) will have their gear checked at the finish.
This is a self-supported race. Racers will be disqualified if they accept outside support. If racers lose their equipment, they cannot rely on other racers or organizers and volunteers to find it. They must find it themselves, or quit the race.
Each team must carry survival gear and be prepared at all times for an unexpected situation – which would require a 24-hour bivouac. This means teams must carry enough equipment and supplies to spend an unsupported winter night in the backcountry. Each team will be required to carry a 2-person shelter – not a bivy sack!. Racers in a situation that prevents them from continuing are strongly advised to stay where they are and use the shelter until support arrives.
Racers must pack out all garbage. Any litter found on the course (energy bar wrappers, gel bottles/packets, etc.) that can be directly traced to a team will automatically disqualify that team.
Ski retention devices are required on Aspen Mountain. Judges will check for ski retention devices at the entrance to the Aspen Ski Company property.
The Event Director, Equipment Judges, Snow Safety Director, Medical Director or other qualified race staff will have the ability to disqualify teams they consider disrespectful, unprepared, improperly equipped or in unsafe condition including physical and mental health.
The course is in no way patrolled or reviewed for snow safety or avalanche danger before the race. When racers are on the course, they are there at their own risk.
Race Rules in Effect Prior to the Race
Racers are strongly encouraged to preview the course, but may not enter upon private property at any time prior to the race. Racers caught or seen training on private property prior to the race will be prosecuted and disqualified.
The Friends Hut is not available for day use at any time. Overnight stays require a fee and reservations. Call the 10th Mountain Division Hut system for information at 970-925-5775 or visit www.huts.org Any racer found using the hut without a reservation will be disqualified from this and future races. Entry fees will not be refunded.
Additional Notes
• Anyone skiing on privately owned property in the East River Valley will be prosecuted for trespassing.
• In addition to the trespassing charges, racers will be disqualified from this and any future races. Entry fees will not be refunded.
• Racers violating Crested Butte Mountain Resort boundaries and policies will be subject to prosecution under the Colorado Skier Safety Act.
• The groomed Nordic Trails in the Crested Butte area require a day use or season pass that can be obtained at the Crested Butte Nordic Center at 620 Second Street or at www.cbnordic.org.
