Gear List: (updated 20 July)
This gear list is designed as the minimum gear to get you through a race at the end of Summer in the mountains and desert of Nevada, USA.
Full Time Personal:
- proof of adventure insurance (see info below*)
- knife
- compass
- headlamp
- lightweight sleeping bag or bivy bag (or 2 each 2-person bags for the team)
- warm, longsleeve upper body layer of your choosing
- long sleeve rain gear top and bottom
- tights
- 3 liter water capacity (6 liter recommended)
Full Time Team:
- Spot Tracker (see info below**)
- waterproof matches/lighter
- water purification system/method
- sun shade (a couple of these with a little twine make good sun shades for a team of four, http://www.rei.com/product/407106)
Full First Aid Kit:
- 4”x4” sterile gauze pads
- Assorted band aids
- Adhesive tape
- Antiseptic wipes
- Antibacterial cream
- Moleskin
- Antihistamines
- Anti-inflammatory (Ibuprofen)
Mountain Biking Personal:
- helmet
- front light
- rear red light
- extra tube + patch kit
- bike box (professional grade travel box recommended)
Mountain Biking Team:
- pump or C02 cartridges
- multi-tool with chain tool
- lube
- recommended: extra rear derailleur, 1 tire, 1 chain
Personal Paddle Gear for Canoe Leg(s):***
- optional personal paddle
- optional personal pfd
- knife and whistle for attachment to pfd
- [The supplied craft will be one canoe per team, includes pfd's and t-handled canoe paddles. This is the canoe that you will be using (http://www.wenonah.com/products/template/product_detail.php?IID=40&&)]
Team Paddle Gear for Canoe Leg(s):***
- 1 or 2 large bags (your preference) to be used in TA's to house, transport, and protect paddles and pfd's
- 2 bilge pumps or bail buckets
- recommended: dry bags as needed
- recommended: two pairs of knee pads
Paddle Gear for Pack Rafting:***
- any combination of pack rafts to carry your team and gear while meeting the weight capacity of the craft. Here is a recommended combination of rafts, 2 each Sevylor Colossus 2-Person (http://www.sevylor.com/Colossustrade-2-Person-Boat-P2018C40.aspx).
- paddles as you deem appropriate
- 1 or 2 large bags (your preference) to be used in TA's to house, transport, and protect paddles and pfd's. This is in addition to the bag(s) you need for the canoe leg(s).
- pfd per person
- pack raft inflation pump (two is a good idea)
- pack raft repair kit
NOTE: Sails are optional for any paddling section, canoeing or pack rafting.
Mountaineering Personal:
- harness
- rappel device
- locking biner
- 6 mm prusik; it must be long enough to work as a rappel back up, i.e. prusik or climb heist
Mountaineering Team:
- 50 m X 8 mm (static or dynamic) rope for rappelling
Gear Boxes and Bags:
- 2 gear boxes (typical adventure racing gear boxes, not to exceed 50 gallon)
- bike box (already listed under Mountain Biking Personal)
- paddle bags (already listed under the paddle sections)
*Adventure Insurance (good source is http://www.worldnomads.com)
This insurance will provide a very comprehensive package of both medical and emergency medical evacuation along with some other benefits. The cost is only about $8 per day. Here is a list of benefits.
- Trip Cancellation or Trip Interruption
- Emergency Medical / Dental
- Emergency Medical Transportation
- Travel Accident
- Baggage Coverage
- Sporting Equipment Coverage
**Spot Tracker Info
- Teams bring their SPOT to the race, and keep it in TRACKING mode throughout the race
- Fans, friends, and family can track their team online as the race unfolds
If you are a racer but don't own a SPOT you can:
- Buy a SPOT, and if you are a member of CARA, TrackMe360 offers a great CARA member promotion on the new SPOT-2.
- Rent a SPOT from TrackMe360.
To become a CARA member, go here.
Notes:
- Although tracking is fun, the requirement is primarily for safety reasons; 911, the ability to call for assistance, and the ability for the Desert Winds organization to keep tabs on your whereabouts.
- The Desert Winds Organization will have the tracker page set up in the week prior to the race.
***Explanation of the gear for the canoe and pack rafting legs:
The canoe leg(s) and the pack rafting leg(s) are separate legs with simular but quite different gear requirements. You will need two separate bags systems for housing and transporting the paddle, pfd's, and other gear for these two separate disciplines. You can use the provided canoe paddles and pfd's for the canoe leg(s) although you may use your own paddles and pfd's. Probably the best paddle combinations for paddling the Wenona canoes is four (4) t-shaped canoe paddles or two (2) t-shaped canoe paddles with two (2) double bladed kayak paddles. The best paddles for pack rafting are double bladed kayak paddles. You do not need expensive paddles for these pack rafting legs. But, you do need a paddle that will withstand the rigors of adventure racing. We have sometimes even used successfully one (1) kayak paddle per 2-person pack raft. So in other words, you do not even need four (4) paddles for the pack rafting.
Email us about the Desert Winds Expedition Race Gear List
928-767-3061
presented by the Desert Winds Adventure Series
September 18-25, 2010
