The Big Red Desert Challenge - Simpson Desert May 2009

THE ROUTE

The route will take participants from the start near the junction of the Colson Track (4WD track) and the French Line (4WD track) eastwards across the sand dunes to Poeppel Corner. The route is cross-country and is away from vehicle tracks although we stay close enough that we can use the 4WD tracks for access if there is an emergency. From Poeppel Corner the route runs east again, cross-country, staying south of the QAA Line (4WD track) to Nappanerica Dune, the fabled "Big Red" near Birdsville.

The surface of the desert is mostly wind-packed sand and is quite firm to walk on. The slopes of the sand dunes are lightly vegetated. The top of each dune usually has a small area of loose, wind-blown sand that is soft underfoot.

There are no man-made structures on this course. You will cross just one 4WD track.

The area is very remote and unspoiled.

Participants will walk or run cross-country, not on vehicle tracks.

Teams will use a hand-held GPS to navigate. During the day teams will be fully self-contained with their own food and water. No water or assistance will be provided between camps except in an emergency.

WALK OR RUN?

Start and finish cut-off times will allow for both walking and running teams. The organisers encourage both methods.

DAILY SCHEDULE

We will start each day early to make the most of the cool mornings. Most teams should be in camp by mid afternoon allowing plenty of time to rest.

4.45am Teams to rise, eat breakfast and prepare.

5.30am Collect daily water allowance and register. Mandatory gear will be checked by organisers at registration.

6.30am Race leg commences at first useable light.

2.30pm to 6.30pm Most teams should arrive at camp.

9.00pm CUT OFF TIME.

CUT OFF TIMES - 14.5 HOURS EACH DAY

Teams arriving at camp after the cut-off time will not have a time recorded for their team. After the CUT OFF time event safety marshals in vehicles may seek to search for late teams to bring them in to camp. Race organisers will talk with the team and they might permit the team or some members to continue the event in following days. But if the organisers deem that the safety of the group is compromised by slow performance they will not be allowed to start the next day.

If a team is still on the course after the cut off time of 9pm they must use their sat-phone to notify race organisers of their position and details of the wellbeing of the group. Race organisers will discuss the options of recovering the team by vehicle or of waiting for the team to walk to camp.

Race organisers estimate that each leg should take a well prepared team between eight and twelve hours. To make the cut-off time of 14.5 hours for an average length day on the course each team needs to be able to average at least 2.75km/hour for 14.5 hours.

The cut off times are very generous and if a team is not able to make the cut-off they are unlikely to complete the entire race. Race organisers do not have the resources to be rescuing a large number of teams in the untracked desert. If your team is told to withdraw it will be done for your own safety and for the wellbeing of other participants. No refunds will be made for teams that are asked to withdraw if they are not making cut off times.

If you are not prepared to accept this rule please do not enter this event.

THE BIG RED DESERT CHALLENGE Simpson Desert – Australia – May 2009

	The world's toughest desert challenge. Six days and 240km across the largest parallel sand dune desert on Earth. HOME GENERAL INFO ROUTE COST EQUIPMENT - DAY USE EQUIPMENT - CAMPING WHAT'S INCLUDED SAFETY FIRST AID & MEDICAL TRAVEL & ACCOMM WITHDRAWING ORGANISERS - JUDGING RULES PHOTOS MAP AND CLIMATE SLOW OPTION CONTACT US (Aust) 02 4784 1029 (Int) 61 2 4784 1029 lucas@escalade.com.au	THE ROUTE The route will take participants from the start near the junction of the Colson Track (4WD track) and the French Line (4WD track) eastwards across the sand dunes to Poeppel Corner. The route is cross-country and is away from vehicle tracks although we stay close enough that we can use the 4WD tracks for access if there is an emergency. From Poeppel Corner the route runs east again, cross-country, staying south of the QAA Line (4WD track) to Nappanerica Dune, the fabled "Big Red" near Birdsville. The surface of the desert is mostly wind-packed sand and is quite firm to walk on. The slopes of the sand dunes are lightly vegetated. The top of each dune usually has a small area of loose, wind-blown sand that is soft underfoot. There are no man-made structures on this course. You will cross just one 4WD track. The area is very remote and unspoiled. Participants will walk or run cross-country, not on vehicle tracks. Teams will use a hand-held GPS to navigate. During the day teams will be fully self-contained with their own food and water. No water or assistance will be provided between camps except in an emergency. WALK OR RUN? Start and finish cut-off times will allow for both walking and running teams. The organisers encourage both methods. DAILY SCHEDULE We will start each day early to make the most of the cool mornings. Most teams should be in camp by mid afternoon allowing plenty of time to rest. 4.45am Teams to rise, eat breakfast and prepare. 5.30am Collect daily water allowance and register. Mandatory gear will be checked by organisers at registration. 6.30am Race leg commences at first useable light. 2.30pm to 6.30pm Most teams should arrive at camp. 9.00pm CUT OFF TIME. CUT OFF TIMES - 14.5 HOURS EACH DAY Teams arriving at camp after the cut-off time will not have a time recorded for their team. After the CUT OFF time event safety marshals in vehicles may seek to search for late teams to bring them in to camp. Race organisers will talk with the team and they might permit the team or some members to continue the event in following days. But if the organisers deem that the safety of the group is compromised by slow performance they will not be allowed to start the next day. If a team is still on the course after the cut off time of 9pm they must use their sat-phone to notify race organisers of their position and details of the wellbeing of the group. Race organisers will discuss the options of recovering the team by vehicle or of waiting for the team to walk to camp. Race organisers estimate that each leg should take a well prepared team between eight and twelve hours. To make the cut-off time of 14.5 hours for an average length day on the course each team needs to be able to average at least 2.75km/hour for 14.5 hours. The cut off times are very generous and if a team is not able to make the cut-off they are unlikely to complete the entire race. Race organisers do not have the resources to be rescuing a large number of teams in the untracked desert. If your team is told to withdraw it will be done for your own safety and for the wellbeing of other participants. No refunds will be made for teams that are asked to withdraw if they are not making cut off times. If you are not prepared to accept this rule please do not enter this event.