26 February 2011

Atacama Crossing - Pre-Trip Info

(UPDATED MARCH 23: I FINISHED! READ MY RACE REPORT HERE.)


WHAT I'M GETTING MYSELF INTO

Here are a few interesting details about the Atacama Crossing.

1. The race is 250 kilometers/155 miles across the Atacama Desert in Northern Chile
  • Stage 1 (March 6)    35.2 km / 21.9 miles
  • Stage 2 (March 7)    41.8 km / 26.0 miles
  • Stage 3 (March 8)    40.0 km / 24.9 miles
  • Stage 4 (March 9)    42.8 km / 26.6 miles
  • Stage 5 (Mar 10-11)   73.6 km / 45.7 miles
  • Stage 6 (March 12)   16.0 km / 9.9 miles
2. The highest point on the course is 10,000 ft. And elevation will never drop below a mile.
3. Temperatures will reach over 100 degrees.
4. I'm carrying my own gear (including a week of food). My pack starting weight will be nearly 20 lbs, but it will get lighter - I hope - with each meal I eat.


HOW TO FOLLOW ME WHILE I'M IN CHILE

Pre-race (March 2-5):
  • I'll post pre-race updates on my Facebook and Twitter pages when I'm able. I'll be spending a couple days in Santiago before heading up to race headquarters in San Pedro de Atacama.
Race (March 6-12)
  • Check out my event-sponsored race blog each day. This will be my only access to the outside world while I'm in the desert.  I'll be posting a short entry after each stage. Organizers will upload entries each evening via a satellite link.  Leave comments for me - I'll be able to read them the following day. :)
  • Stage updates can be found here.
  • Sign-up for breaking news here.
  • Organizers will also post race updates on the RacingThePlanet Twitter page here

Packed and ready to go

I've been waiting a long time for this. Let's just hope my Achilles can hold up. :)

Keep running!

-Scott

    19 comments:

    1. Good luck. I can't wait to hear about it!

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    2. Awesome,Scott! Run hard, but more importantly, enjoy every minute of an amazing journey. Good luck!
      Michelle

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    3. Whatever you do just make sure you win :) Just kidding. Enjoy the experience. Embrace the journey. I can't wait to read the book.

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    4. Crossing the Atacama Desert will be an amazing adventure!! Good Luck Scott!
      ...Mike

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    5. SO EXCITED FOR YOUR ERIC JOURNEY!! Take in every moment. :)))

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    6. Oooooh GOOD LUCK! What you are attempting is amazing, have a great time!

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    7. Just signed up for the updates. Looking forward to your race blog entries, too. This is so awesome!

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    8. what do you have for a tent/sleeping bag, if anything?

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    9. @LP - My sleeping bag is stuffed in the pack. The race will provide tents and water at each camp; I'll be carrying everything else. :)

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    10. Scott, all the very best. I look forward to running with you very soon. See you in the Desert

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    11. hellz yea! good luck!

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    12. Scott I'm SO excited for you! And I'm so excited for me that I get to see you on your way home! Good luck. Have fun. Be safe. Drink a lot...but not too much. Run hard. Enjoy the view. Sleep well. Cut your toenails. Don't forget your shoes.

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    13. Enjoy the adventure, Scott. It is gonna be epic.

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    14. There are already some GREAT photos of you on the race website: http://www.4deserts.com/atacamacrossing/rtpactp.php?SID=3&SBID=RC4

      Two close-ups and a couple with you in the background - very cool!

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    15. Scott, Man I am in awe! Have an awesome experience. Prayers for stamina, endurance and a strong Achilles. Sharon @golffitz

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    16. Hey, really great blog post… I've enjoyed reading through your blog because of the great style and energy you put into each post. I actually run AceHealth.org, a blog of my personal research and experiences. If you're interested, I would love to have you on as a guest blogger. Please send me an e-mail: bob.mauer65(at)gmail(dot)com, and I can give you more information. Looking forward to hearing from you.

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