Where is the event based?
The event checkin is at the Horseshoe Rec Area on Lake New Melones near Coulterville, CA. The event is in the Sierra foothills of California ranging up to about 5000 ft in elevation. The region of the event is a wonderful area to spend a few days before or after the race or to bring family and friends to stay and watch the race unfold.
Where and when is check in?
Check in is at the group campground at Horseshoe Rec Area on Friday evening.
Lodging
We suggest you camp at Horseshoe Rec area on Friday evening. Ask for the 'G' loop if you want to be near the action! Stay over on Sunday night if you prefer a relaxed post race schedule and want to hang out. Motels and hotels are available in Coulterville about 15 minutes away. Book camping through the Lake McClure website.
Food
There is no food service at the race location except for a Friday evening pre race meal and post race food after the finish. Saturday morning Gold Rush will offer some complimentary breakfast items such as bagels, bananas and orange juice but teams should be prepared with snacks, their choice of race day breakfast and any special post-race food they require. There are a few cafes and restaurants within about 15 minutes of the location but a car is required to reach them! Sustenance during the race is up to you and will usually be packed with your gear at transition areas.
Facilities
There are a few small stores and cafes within 20 minutes of the race location.
The town of Sonora is an hour away and has restaurants, hardware stores (Lowes), auto parts, food stores (Safeway), Walmart, a bike store (Sonora Cyclery) and an outdoor store SNAC. You can pass thru the town of Sonora on your way to the event HQ and this will be your best last chance after Modesto or Oakdale for real shopping.
Airports
a. The closest city is Sonora, California.
b. The closest major airports with lots of flights are Sacramento, Oakland or San Francsico California.
c. Also, Los Angeles International (LAX) has the best selection of flights but is about 5 hours driving away.
The distances covered in each discipline vary on the pace of the team. There will be approximatly equal time on the bike and hike sections with a lesser amount on the paddling and some time on the ropes course. The foot travel is on trails and rough ground and varies depending on the progress teams make. The cycling section is on dirt roads and single track. Distances vary depending on the team pace. Slower teams will end up completing a shorter route as they can skip checkpoints. And of course you can walk, hike or run depending on energy levels! Everyone on the team has to stick together throughout the event. If a teammate decides to stop at some point during the event, the rest of the team can continue 'incomplete' and finish with a ranking after complete teams.
The climb section will be an exciting section during the race. It will include a rappel and some rope assisted scrambling. Please see the Climb Gear Setup
See the Equipment list
Equipment ListThis event will traverse terrain up to about 5,000 ft. This altitude is not enough to be noticed by most people. If you are able to spend a few days at similar altitude prior to the event, it might be an advantage.
During the event we expect warm (80-100 degrees) and dry weather. But in the past we have had varied weather so come prepared!
You probably have questions about the event. Feel free to email us at info@GoldRushAR.com or call 209-484-0972
When you are ready to enter, go to Eventbrite (link is on the main page) and make the individual payment, be sure that all team members enter the same agreed team name in the team name field on the eventbrite form. Or email us with the details of your team as best you know it. Team member names, ages, email, hometown. We understand that team changes may occur prior to the event.
If you want to get familiar with the format of our maps and route instructions you should go to the USGS site at http://store.usgs.gov
and look at the maps or order one of the maps of mountain areas of northern California.
As an example of the race instruction format we will make available the race instructions from a previous event.
Where is the event based?
The event checkin is at the Horseshoe Rec Area on Lake New Melones near Coulterville, CA.
Where and when is check in?
Check in is at the group campground at Horseshoe Rec Area on Friday evening or at the start location before the race on Saturday morning early. You will have more time to properly prepare for the race if you can check in on Friday evening. Also, it helps us!
Lodging
We suggest you camp at Horseshoe Rec area on Friday evening. Ask for the 'G' loop if you want to be near the action! Stay over on Saturday night if you prefer a relaxed post race schedule and want to hang out and trade stories with other racers. Motels and hotels are available in Coulterville about 15 minutes away. Book camping through the Lake McClure website.
Food
There is no food service at the race location except for a Friday evening pre race meal and post race food after the finish. Saturday morning Gold Rush will offer some complimentary breakfast items such as bagels, bananas and orange juice but teams should be prepared with snacks, their choice of race day breakfast and any special post-race food they require. There are a few cafes and restaurants within about 15 minutes of the location but a car is required to reach them! Sustenance during the race is up to you and will usually be packed with your gear at transition areas.
Facilities
The town of Coulterville is 15 minutes away and has a small number of restaurants. The town of SOnora is 45 minutes and has re (Sonora Cyclery) and an outdoor store SNAC. You will pass thru the town of Sonora on your way to the event hQ and this will be your best last chance for real shopping.
Airports
a. The closest city is Sonora, California.
b. The closest major airports with lots of flights are Sacramento, Oakland or San Francsico California.
c. Also, Los Angeles International (LAX) has the best selection of flights but is about 5 hours driving away.
The race will be an event where teams do not need a crew. Equipment will be staged prior to the race start. Supporters are encouraged and welcomed.
The distances covered in each discipline vary on the pace of the team. There will be approximatly equal time on the bike and hike and paddling sections. The foot travel is on trails and rough ground and varies depending on the progress teams make. The cycling section is on dirt roads and single track. Of course you can walk, hike or run depending on energy levels! Everyone on the team has to stick together throughout the event. If a teammate decides to stop at some point during the event, the rest of the team can continue 'incomplete' and finish with a ranking after complete teams.
See the Equipment list
Equipment ListIn the summer challenge we do not use any of the high mountain areas of the Sierra mountains. There may be some steep hills along the course but maximum altitude is merely 2500 feet or so, so altitude is not an issue. (In our longer races and expedition races we often reach altitudes up to 8,000 ft or higher which is enough to be noticed by most people - shortness of breath, possible headache but is unlikely to cause serious problems.)
During the event we expect hot (80-100 degrees) and dry weather. But you will be near water so can always dip to cool down.
You probably have questions about the event. Feel free to email us at info@GoldRushAR.com or call 209-484-0972
When you are ready to enter, go to Eventbrite (link is on the main page) and make the individual payment, be sure that all team members enter the same agreed team name in the team name field on the eventbrite form. Or email us with the details of your team as best you know it. Team member names, ages, email, hometown. We understand that team changes may occur prior to the event.
If you want to get familiar with the format of our maps and route instructions you should go to the USGS site at http://store.usgs.gov
and look at the maps or order one of the maps of mountain areas of northern California.
As an example of the race instruction format we will make available the race instructions from a previous event.
Where is the event based?
The event is in the Sierra Mountains of California ranging up to about 8000 ft in elevation. Registration and check-in will happen at Pinecrest Chalets in Pinecrest on Hwy 108, 40 miles east of the town of Sonora. The region of the event is a wonderful area to spend a few days before or after the race or to bring family and friends to stay and watch the race unfold.
Lodging
The registration location and host hotel will be the Pinecrest Chalets in Pinecrest California just off Highway 108. This beautiful location will host the check in and registration on Friday afternoon and evening and the pre race meal and briefing. Please have one of your team call the Chalets at (209) 965-3276 to reserve lodging. Identify yourself as being with Gold Rush and recieve a discount on the published prices. We recommend that you stay Friday night at the minimum and you may wish to stay one or more nights prior to or after the event if your schedule allows it. Of course additional nights for your families or friends may be booked too.
Camping and other motels are available in the area but are not as convienient to the registration and start.
Food
There is no food service at the race HQ except for the pre race meal on Friday and post race food after the finish. On Saturday morning Gold Rush will offer some complimentary breakfast items such as bagels, bananas and orange juice but teams should be prepared with snacks, their choice of race day breakfast and any special post-race food they require. There are a few cafes and restaurants within about 15 minutes of the HQ hotel but a car is required to reach them! Sustenance during the race is of course, in true expedition style, up to you.
Facilities
The town of Sonora is a 45 minutes away and has restaurants, hardware stores (Lowes), auto parts, food stores (Safeway), Walmart, a bike store (Sonora Cyclery) and an outdoor store SNAC. You will pass thru the town of Sonora on your way to the event hQ and this will be your best last chance for real shopping.
The village of Twain Harte has convienience store, restaurants and an ACE Hardware and a post office.
The village of Mi-Wok about 10 minutes away has convienience store, gas station, cafe and a pizza plce open at undetermined hours.
Airports
a. The closest city is Sonora, California.
b. The closest major airports with lots of flights are Sacramento, Oakland or San Francsico California.
c. Also, Los Angeles International (LAX) has the best selection of flights but is about 5 hours driving away.
The 2017 race will be an event where teams should bring a crew person and transport. Your crew will transport your gear boxes, bikes and boats from transition to transition. Supporters are encouraged and welcomed.
The distances covered in each discipline vary on the pace of the team. There will be approximatly equal time on the bike and hike sections with a lesser amount on the paddling and some time on the ropes course. The foot travel is on trails and rough ground and varies depending on the progress teams make. The cycling section is on dirt roads and single track. Distances vary depending on the team pace. Slower teams will end up completing a shorter route as they can skip checkpoints. And of course you can walk, hike or run depending on energy levels! Everyone on the team has to stick together throughout the event. If a teammate decides to stop at some point during the event, the rest of the team can continue 'incomplete' and finish with a ranking after complete teams.
The climb section will be an exciting section during the race. It will include a rappel and some rope assisted scrambling. Please see the Climb Gear Setup
See the Equipment list
Equipment ListThe event will traverse terrain up to about 8,000 ft. This altitude is enough to be noticed by most people - shortness of breath, possible headache but is unlikely to cause serious problems. If you are able to spend a few days at similar altitude prior to the event, it might be an advantage.
During the event we expect warm (80-90 degrees) and dry weather. But in the past we have had both high temperatures (up to 100) and freezing rain and hail so come prepared!
You probably have questions about the event. Feel free to email us at info@GoldRushAR.com or call 209-484-0972
When you are ready to enter, go to Eventbrite (link is on the main page) and make the individual payment, be sure that all team members enter the same agreed team name in the team name field on the eventbrite form. Or email us with the details of your team as best you know it. Team member names, ages, email, hometown. We understand that team changes may occur prior to the event.
If you want to get familiar with the format of our maps and route instructions you should go to the USGS site at http://store.usgs.gov
and look at the maps or order one of the maps of mountain areas of northern California.
As an example of the race instruction format we will make available the race instructions from a previous event.
Where is the event based?
The event is in the Sierra Mountains of California ranging up to about 8000 ft in elevation. Registration and check-in will happen at the scenic Pinecrest Chalets in Pinecrest, California. This is a wonderful location to spend a few days before or after the race or to bring family and friends to stay and watch the race unfold. The start will be at an undisclosed location.
a.The closest city is Sonora, California.
b.The closest major airports with lots of flights are Sacramento, Oakland or San Francsico California. About 3 hours drive.
c.Also, Los Angeles International (LAX) has the best selection of flights but is about 5 hours driving away.
The race will be an 'unsupported race'. Race management will transport your gear boxes and bikes from transition to transition. Crews are not allowed. Supporters are encouraged and welcomed but they may not physically help or provide support to teams. Family members or supporters woudl be welcomed as volunteers too.
The Mother Lode uses the ARWS standard equipment list.
Teams will pack their gear and food for the event in boxes. If you are travelling by air you may find it easier to travel with regular bags and duffels and purchase plastic bins once you arrive. If you are arriving in Sacramento, Oakland or LAX, you will be able to purchase boxes at Walmart or Costco or other hardware stores once you arrive.
The 2012 Mother Lode happened to run during a heat wave.
This years event will be in cooler country.