Kaweka Challenge 2011 Rules

 

EVENT RULES

  1. Each team of two (except course 6) must travel together at all times and visit all of the check points on their course.
  1. One member of each team must wear the race number throughout the event, clearly visible from the front.

 

  1. Competitors are responsible for ensuring their race number has been recorded at all check points on their course. This is to ensure the safety of competitors.
  1. The published minimum clothing and equipment, passed at the official gear check, must be carried at all times. Prize winners will have their gear re-checked at the finish. Other competitors gear will be re-checked at random.

 

  1. Course diversion and withdrawal times will be adhered to, even if a course does not start at the prescribed time.
  1. Competitors must not leave litter. Open fires or solid fuel cookers are not permitted. Smoking is not allowed.

 

  1. In the interest of safety and the welfare of the competitors, the organizers reserve the right to withdraw competitors or teams from the event at any check point, if such action is considered to be warranted. Diversion or return to the Event Centre is to be at the discretion of the event organizers.
  1. If competitors are diverted or change courses during the event, they are then classified as non-competitive and are not eligible for course prizes.

 

  1. Competitors must follow the course route at all times. On steep descents and ascents, stay on the track to avoid damage to the terrain. It is a DOC requirement that competitors stay to the tracks at all times.
  1. Competitors must camp in the designated area at overnight camps.

 

  1. Competitors / teams must carry all food and equipment for their courses from the start. Outside assistance is not permitted.

PLEASE NOTE

  1. Acceptance of these rules is a condition of entry.
  1. Teams or competitors breaking any of the rules set out above may be disqualified.

 

  1. Any team or competitor wishing to withdraw from a course must report to a check point or to the finish. If we do not know that you have withdrawn a full scale search may result, with a huge expenditure of money and labour for which you may be charged.

IMPORTANT NOTE
If weather conditions in the high country are severe the organising committee reserves the right to alter the routes of some or all courses in the interests of competitor safety. Details of alternative routes are included in your Race Pack.
Courses may also be changed for fire safety reasons.
In extreme conditions the event may be cancelled entirely.

 

COMPETITOR INFORMATION
THE MAP Competitors will be provided with a waterproofed map of the area, with all courses and radio check points marked. The map is an accurate colour copy of NZMS 260 Series – Sheet U20, Kaweka; scale: 1:50,000. Each competitor / team will be issued with one map.

THE ROUTES
These will vary according to the terrain:
In bush:
1. Cut tracks.
2. Marked by red tags or orange tape in trees.
Open country:
1. Cairns (piles of rocks).
2. Orange tape tied to scrub.
3. Waratah fence standards.

All competitors are expected to be familiar with the type of map and be able use a compass. If in doubt, do some homework beforehand. The routes and tracks are as normally used by trampers. They have not been modified for this event, other than to place additional orange tape markers where the route may be indistinct. Be especially vigilant if you are not accustomed to this type of route and terrain.

‘ROCK SNOT’ Didymo
All competitors must make sure that their running equipment is free from any potential didymo cells. The best way for us to do this is to put our running shoes in the freezer for two nights prior to running at this event.

WATER
ALL COMPETITORS MUST CARRY SUFFICIENT WATER FOR THEIR NEEDS ON THE COURSE. There can be no guarantee that water will be available on the tops. Drinking untreated water from
near campsites is not recommended. We suggest that some form of water purifier be carried.

DEHYDRATION
February can be very hot. Carry an appropriate form of electrolyte replacement drink.

FIRE DANGER
Fire in the native bush and production forest is a major concern. Open fires and smoking are BANNED on all routes, also at the start / finish area and at overnight campsites. Solid fuel cookers are not permitted.

RUBBISH
The Kaweka Forest Park has adopted a “carry in – carry out” policy on rubbish. Competitors will be responsible for the removal of their rubbish from any part of the park.

INJURY
Any mountain event carries with it some risk of injury or other misadventure. All competitors take part in the Kaweka Challenge at their own risk.

SAFETY
As in any mountain area, weather in the Kaweka Ranges can change very quickly. A fine morning can turn to blizzard conditions by midday. For this reason we have made it compulsory to carry the
minimum clothing and equipment, as listed elsewhere in this programme.

 

 

SEVERE WEATHER CONTINGENCIES  - Course 1

  1. If the weather on the tops is severe but the Donald River is crossable, competitors will be diverted down Mackintosh Spur through the Donald and along Matauria Ridge to Makahu Saddle. The route will then return southwards back along Matauria Ridge and continue as planned.
  1. If the weather on the tops is passable but the Donald cannot be crossed, the course will not proceed to Makahu. Competitors will continue to the Kaweka J checkpoint and will then return southwards down the range to the top of Mackintosh Spur. Then down Mackintosh Spur to the Lakes car park via lower Kaweka Hut track/Tutaekuri ford and on to the finish at the Event Centre.

 

  1. If the weather on the tops is passable but the Donald and the Tutaekuri cannot be crossed, the course will not proceed to Makahu. Competitors will continue to the Kaweka J checkpoint and will then return southwards down the range to the top of Mackintosh Spur. Then down Mackintosh Spur to Mackintosh Hut and out to the road via the new bridge. Then to the Lakes car park and on to the finish at the Event Centre.

 

  1. If the weather on the tops is severe and the Donald is not crossable, the route will turn down Macintosh Spur to Mackintosh Hut and out to the road via the new bridge. Then to the Lakes car park and on to the finish at the Event Centre.

 

  1. If the weather is doubtful then delaying Course 1 will be considered.

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SEVERE WEATHER CONTINGENCIES  - Course 3

  1. If the creeks between the Mackintosh Spur/Kaweka Hut track junction, at the foot of Mackintosh Spur, and the Lakes car park, are not crossable, the course will be diverted over the new bridge, then to the Lakes car park and finish as usual.

SEVERE WEATHER CONTINGENCIES  - Course 4
If the creeks between the Mackintosh Spur/Kaweka Hut track junction, at the foot of Mackintosh Spur, and the Lakes car park, are not crossable, the Sunday course will be diverted over the new bridge, then to the Lakes car park and finish as usual.

SEVERE WEATHER CONTINGENCIES  - Courses 5 & 6
Severe weather conditions cancel.

 

 

 

 

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