Potomac Highlands Epic Adventure Race

May 27-29, 2006
Monongahela National Forest, WV

The PHEAR is a 60 hour adventure race across some of the wildest terrain in the eastern US and includes mountain biking on everything from paved roads to singletrack, paddling one-person duckies down a class II-III whitewater river, trekking across the unique Dolly Sods wilderness area, traveling underground through the mysterious Sinks of Gandy and traversing the exciting Nelson Rocks Via Ferrata.

A unique feature of the race is the inclusion of a 'freestyle' navigation element on Spruce Knob, the highest point in West Virginia (el. 4863)- essentially a rogaine in the middle of an adventure race. This will enable nearly all teams to finish the race within the 60 hour window without resorting to shortened courses or arbitrary cutoffs.

Because of the remoteness of the course and the difficulties in managing such a large area, the PHEAR will be open only to teams of two, three or four only (any gender composition). Sorry - no solos.

Each team will require a support vehicle and crew capable of transporting their bikes and other gear from place to place. Some of the gravel forest service roads are kind of rough, but are passable with a conventional vehicle, so 4WD is not necessary. We have paid particular attention to the needs and comfort of the support crews and will provide detailed maps and written instructions to the assisted checkpoints. Our enthusiastic race staff will make this as much of an enjoyable adventure for the crews as it is for the teams.

The water levels at this time of year are highly variable and duckies were chosen because they offer the most flexibility with variable river conditions. These are not the little yellow Sevylors you see at some races - they are commercial boats, and if you've never paddled one, you're in for a treat. Duckies and river guides are supplied by Appalachian Wildwaters, West Viginia's premier whitewater outfitter and our partner for both this and the Wildwater Adventure Challenge later in the summer on the Gauley. Paddles and PFDs will also be supplied, or you may bring your own.

The START/FINISH location is once again at Yokum's Vacationland and camping is free for racers and crews. There are a limited number of cabins available, but they go fast, so don't wait too long.

Ambush Adventure Sports Ltd is a permittee of the Monongahela National Forest.

The awards go three deep in each category (open, all female, coed, male masters, female masters, coed masters) Sponsors have donated prizes to be used as special awards (best splits, best rogaine score, etc.) and plenty of other schwag will be awarded by lottery at the pre-race briefing so all have an equal chance to win.

• per person:
• Mountain bike & helmet (front & rear lights after dark)
• Headlamp (2 person teams must carry an extra team headlamp in the cave)
• Climbing harness
  (a climbing helmet is recommended on the via ferrata, but you may use your bike helmet if you insist)
  The via ferrata uses special lanyards which are supplied by the Nelson Rocks Preserve.
• emergency space blanket, lighter & whistle (per person)

Paddling: There are no skills certifications required for the paddling element, and the duckies are easily mastered even if you have no previous experience with them, but you should be experienced and confident of your own abilities to handle paddling on moving water of up to class III. Although we will have safety personnel to monitor the event, a quick rescue may not always be possible and you should be prepared to self-rescue. PFDs and helmets (bike helmets OK) must be worn at all times while on the water. Be aware that the water will be very cold, and a PFD offers no protection against hypothermia.

Ropes: There will be no skills certification required for the via ferrata...this element requires some very specialized lanyards (supplied) and climbing techniques and Nelson Rocks Preserve personnel will provide instructions on their use and a safety briefing at the pre-race meeting.

The cost for the PHEAR is $700/1000/1200 for 2/3/4 person teams. Beginning on or after March 1, entry fee rises to $800/1100/1300 (assuming there are open slots. The absolute registration deadline is postmarked on or before May 14. Cost of duckies, insurance, camping, post-race picnic and wicking event T-shirt is included.

Race size is limited by the number of boats we have available and is currently limited to 100 racers (not teams, but individual racers). Due to the demise or rescheduling of a number of other spring adventur races, the 2006 PHEAR will fill early, so get a team together and register now.

• Registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, with coed 4 person teams receiving preferential status.
• You need not have your team roster finalized to reserve your team slot, and in fact, the roster is flexible up until the start of the race.
• 50% of the remaining balance is due on March 1 and the remainder is due on April 1.

REFUND POLICY

• The $100 application fee is non-refundable.
• If the remaining payments are not received by the due date, they may be rejected and your team slot given to a team on the wait list.
• Team entries are fully transferable (at no additional charge) at any time up until the start of the race. Team roster is flexible up until the start of the race.
• If you find that your team will be unable to race, and you notify us on or before April 1, 2006, you will receive a refund (less application fee). After that time, there will be no refunds.