Train, train, train Don t scrimp on your kit Eat well & sleep well Road closures Mandatory kit Walking in the dark Walking alone Follow advice given

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Train, train, train Don t scrimp on your kit Eat well & sleep well Road closures Mandatory kit Walking in the dark Walking alone Follow advice given"

Blaze Montgomery
5 years ago
Views:

This document will give you as much information as possible about being a participant on TrekFest. Further specific details can be found elsewhere in the participant area.

1 This document will give you as much information as possible about being a participant on TrekFest. Further specific details can be found elsewhere in the participant area. Taking part in TrekFest undoubtedly requires commitment, determination and above all a positive attitude from the outset. From the moment you sign up there are steps in place to ensure you have the correct level of support and help throughout the entire journey including the challenge itself. Each participant should approach the challenge with an open mind and prepare to be adaptable throughout. Whilst hundreds of hours of work will have gone into the preparation of the event the logistics for the challenge are complex and things can often need to change on the ground. Training is a critical component in the preparation for your challenge. It is important that you are fit enough that you can complete the challenge but it is also worth remembering that the fitter you are, the more you will enjoy it. Training tips can be found in the training guide in the participant area to point you in the right direction, we also offer training days and weekends to help you prepare. If you have any other questions or queries about the challenge you are about to embark upon please do not hesitate to contact the office on or customer.care@globaladventurechallenges.com.

Train, train, train - there is no such thing as too much training so make sure that you have done as much as you can prior to the challenge so that you know what to expect and what your limitations

It s a good idea to train in the kit you intend to use as well as carrying the additional kit you need.

2 Train, train, train - there is no such thing as too much training so make sure that you have done as much as you can prior to the challenge so that you know what to expect and what your limitations are. Don t scrimp on your kit make sure you have all of the kit you need well in advance and that you bring it with you on the day. It s a good idea to train in the kit you intend to use as well as carrying the additional kit you need. Eat well & sleep well in the week and days leading up to the event try and get yourself match fit. Hold back on the training, eat well and get plenty of rest. Road closures - during the trek you will walk through small villages and along some minor roads. Please be extra careful as no roads will be closed for this event so you will need to consider traffic. There will be event crew located to assist you at any busy road crossings, however, they cannot stop traffic, do listen to their advice about where to cross. Mandatory kit These have been specified with your safety in mind. You must carry all mandatory kit for the duration of the challenge. Any participant found to not be carrying the correct kit will be removed from the challenge. Walking in the dark - It is very likely that some participants on the 50km route will walk their final steps in the dark. Walking in the dark will cause challenges in itself and requires all participants to be extra vigilant to reduce the risks of injury and accidents. As stated in the kit list, 50km trekkers must carry a head torch and spare batteries. Walking alone For safety reasons no one is permitted to walk alone during TrekFest. If you arrive at a checkpoint and there is no one else there, you will have to wait for another person to come through the checkpoint so you can leave with other people. Sticking together will also keep morale up when things get tough and increase your chances of completing TrekFest. Follow advice given - Please follow the advice of the TrekFest event crew. They are there to ensure you have an enjoyable, successful and safe event. Your safety is ultimately our number one priority so please follow any instructions given.

3 When completing a challenge like TrekFest you must take responsibility for yourself. Whilst the event crew are there to support you there are a number of things that you must be aware of to be successful during the event. Monitor food and water intake Not eating and drinking enough is one of the few reasons that people retire from the event early. You are walking a substantial, distance burning lots of calories and using fluid that needs to be replenished. Ensure that you eat and drink regularly throughout the challenge. Help others Help out fellow TrekFesters along the route. Everyone who is taking part is working towards a common goal and so it makes sense to lend a helping hand or offer some words of encouragement when someone needs it. You never know when you may need someone to repay the favour! Retiring from the event - If you wish to retire from the event at any time you must do so at a checkpoint and inform a member of the crew. Failure to do so is likely to result in an unnecessary search being undertaken using vital staffing resources that other trekkers may require. We recognise our responsibility to the places we visit, and also to local people. We believe that we need to preserve and respect the locations in which our challenges take place in order for future generations to have the same fantastic experience as you will. We are passionate about the environment and as a participant of TrekFest it is expected that you share our passion by following the guidelines below: Be courteous to the local community and other people enjoying the outdoors. Keep noise to a minimum, especially in areas near dwellings. Keep to the marked route and do not stray onto private property. Leave gates and property as you find them. Leave no trace of your visit. Take your litter home including fruit peelings. Follow paths unless wider access is available. Pick up any litter that you see along the route and dispose of it at the next checkpoint. Do not disturb wildlife or livestock.

All items must be carried by anyone taking part in TrekFest. Anyone failing to carry any of the items listed in the mandatory section will not be permitted to take part under any circumstances.

4 A kit list of items needed for TrekFest can be found in the participant area. The kit list is separated into to two categories: Mandatory kit - This kit forms part of our safety procedures and has been specified with your welfare in mind. All items must be carried by anyone taking part in TrekFest. Anyone failing to carry any of the items listed in the mandatory section will not be permitted to take part under any circumstances. Random kit checks will take place during registration and prior to the start of the event. Recommended kit - Further items that you may consider bringing for the challenge are listed in the recommended section. There may be other items you wish to bring so do take into account your personal preferences and use your common sense. Remember that this is no walk in the park and you must respect the mountainous environment that you will be trekking in especially the changeable weather. Don t scrimp on your kit but equally don t overload yourself either. Your feet are going to be your best friends from now on, so it s important to keep them happy. First and foremost your footwear needs to be comfortable and specifically designed for walking or if you are planning on running TrekFest designed for trail running. There is a huge range of footwear options available however, irrespective of whether you are walking or running there are some basic principles to follow when making your choice: Size Make sure your footwear fits you right! Different footwear can size differently some may suit a narrower or wider foot and there may be variance in the fit between manufacturers. Go to a retailer and try on some different types of footwear to see what works for you. Most specialist stores offer a free fitting service which is definitely worth taking advantage of to get accurate foot measurements. Your feet naturally swell throughout the day so a top tip is to try on any footwear towards the end of the day, it s also a good idea to try them on with the socks that you intend on wearing during the challenge. Support Your footwear should offer as much support as possible to your ankles and provide good impact absorption for the heel and bottom of the foot. If you are planning on running then walking boots won t be very practical but if you re walking they are a bomb proof choice! Waterproofing Wet feet are generally unhappy feet, so try to select footwear that is waterproof! Comfort The only way to get your footwear to be 100% comfortable is to make sure you break them in before the event. To break in your footwear, start by wearing them for an hour or so every day; wear them around the house or wear them to go shopping. Fit wearing them into your lifestyle, you may not look fashionable, but it will make a big difference when wearing them on the challenge. Gradually increase the time that you wear your boots. Once you start wearing them comfortably for a number of hours you should be ready to start using them for long distance walking.

When walking, it s always best to adopt a layering system to your clothing. This ensures that you can adapt quickly to the weather and changes to your body temperature.

Synthetic fibres, such as polypropylene and polyester work the best. Your base layer should be relatively close fitting but still comfortable.

Outer layer - This layer should be a waterproof, but breathable jacket with taped seams.

If walking in exposed areas, wind can play a significant part in lowering the temperature and you will be grateful of being able to pop on a warm hat!

5 When walking, it s always best to adopt a layering system to your clothing. This ensures that you can adapt quickly to the weather and changes to your body temperature. Base layer - This layer will draw moisture away from the skin. Cotton should be avoided as it holds moisture, takes a long time to dry and can make you cold. Synthetic fibres, such as polypropylene and polyester work the best. Your base layer should be relatively close fitting but still comfortable. Mid layer - This layer is to help keep you warm, it does this by trapping air between the fibres. Fleece is great at doing this and makes an ideal breathable layer. Outer layer - This layer should be a waterproof, but breathable jacket with taped seams. Hat and gloves - Whilst you might not need them when walking when you stop it s always a good idea to put on a hat and gloves to retain body heat. If walking in exposed areas, wind can play a significant part in lowering the temperature and you will be grateful of being able to pop on a warm hat! Socks These are just as important as your footwear if they do not fit correctly they can cause just as much discomfort, even if your footwear is well fitted. Buy socks that fit perfectly and that are good quality paying particular attention to the areas around the heel and toes as an excess material will likely rub and cause blisters. As with your footwear go and ask the experts at your local outdoor shop as there are many different types available. Daypack/running pack You will definitely need some method of carrying the mandatory items on the kit list plus anything else you feel you will need during the challenge. Although your pack shouldn t be too heavy getting the fit of your pack correct will make all the difference when you are walking or running long distances. Look for a pack with a chest and waist strap to limit movement of the straps and keep any weight off the shoulders. Walking poles These can be very useful as they distribute the weight between your arms and legs. They are great for extra support when walking up or down steep sections. It s entirely up to you if you want to use them, just remember to use them in your training if you wish to use them on the challenge. Head torch If you are taking part in the 50km route a head torch is mandatory. Ensure that the torch that you select has a decent power output so it can light up more than just directly in front of you.

All emergency items on the kit list are mandatory and must be carried by every TrekFest participant irrespective of weather conditions or if you are participating as part of a team.

First aid kit Whilst TrekFest will provide adequate first aid cover during the challenge we do require that all participants bring their own personal first aid kits that include as a minimum: a

This is so that individuals can deal with minor issues themselves or help others in an emergency. Participants should bring with them any personal medication that is required.

all the difference especially in poor weather conditions. Warm hat and gloves In the event that you are stuck in a remote area for a prolonged period of time keeping warm is important.

Whistle At the basic end of emergency communication is the whistle for summoning help.

You should keep signalling until you are certain that rescuers are on their way to you.

The armband contains contact information for Event Control in case of an emergency and allows you to be identifiable as a participant of TrekFest.

6 All emergency items on the kit list are mandatory and must be carried by every TrekFest participant irrespective of weather conditions or if you are participating as part of a team. It is hoped that you will not need to use any of the items however it s always best to be prepared for the worst case scenario. Below is a brief description of each of the items and there uses. First aid kit Whilst TrekFest will provide adequate first aid cover during the challenge we do require that all participants bring their own personal first aid kits that include as a minimum: a triangular or conformable roller bandage, assorted adhesive dressings, gauze or gauze bandage suitable for compressing bleeding wounds, blister treatment kit. This is so that individuals can deal with minor issues themselves or help others in an emergency. Participants should bring with them any personal medication that is required. Survival bag or foil blanket In the interests of keeping yourself or a casualty warm in an emergency adding extra layers and getting inside a survival bag or being wrapped in a foil blanket can make all the difference especially in poor weather conditions. Warm hat and gloves In the event that you are stuck in a remote area for a prolonged period of time keeping warm is important. Whilst it may be a sunny day (we hope!), in the worst case scenario a warm hat and gloves are essential for keeping warm. Whistle At the basic end of emergency communication is the whistle for summoning help. The international distress signal is 6 blasts repeated with an interval of one minute between each series of 6 blasts. You should keep signalling until you are certain that rescuers are on their way to you. Participant armband Your participant armband will be provided during registration on the day of the event, it must be worn on your arm and visible at all times during the challenge. The armband contains contact information for Event Control in case of an emergency and allows you to be identifiable as a participant of TrekFest. Mobile phone A mobile phone must be carried by every TrekFest participant and the number for this should have been provided during online registration. If this number has changed or you are carrying a different mobile then you must inform the staff on site when you register for the event on the day. If you plan on using your phone for anything other than emergency calls such as GPS tracking or posting on social media then it is recommended that you bring a power bank to ensure your phone maintains charge throughout the challenge. Emergency food This is required if you need to wait for rescue or your sugar levels become critically low during the challenge. A couple of chocolate bars such as Mars or Snickers tucked away in your rucksack (to avoid the temptation to eat them in a non-emergency situation!) are ideal for such eventualities. Alternatively if you are running you may wish to consider carrying energy gel sachets.

will be like for any particular day; it is

section will give you an idea of how best to

Before the start of the challenge the Event

weather forecast and make a final decision

at summits, will be dramatically different

can also change rapidly during the course of

Temperatures at higher levels are much cooler.

less than 5 C, so if you start walking in a

exposed to the wind, so even when the sun is

It goes without saying that rain on higher

from showers to storms at any time of the

7 Although it is impossible to predict in advance what the weather in mountainous areas will be like for any particular day; it is hoped that the information provided in this section will give you an idea of how best to prepare yourself for your trek. Before the start of the challenge the Event Management Team will check the mountain weather forecast and make a final decision about the appropriateness of the route to be taken. The weather on higher ground, in particular at summits, will be dramatically different from the weather at the TrekFest Village, it can also change rapidly during the course of the day. Temperatures at higher levels are much cooler. For every 100 metres that you climb, the temperature will drop by about 0.5 C. The average temperature on the summit will be less than 5 C, so if you start walking in a t-shirt, expect to feel a chill as you climb higher. The wind will also play a part in reducing the temperature. Naturally, being on higher ground you will be exposed to the wind, so even when the sun is shining it can be a few degrees colder. It goes without saying that rain on higher ground is a significant possibility, anything from showers to storms at any time of the year especially in the Peak District. The information in the table below is provided as an overview to weather in the UK. Paired with the information above it should provide some indication of the conditions to expect on your challenge.

8 Start the challenge having eaten a good meal in the morning even if you don t feel like eating. You may be able to skip breakfast on a normal day but you will need all the energy you can get and this starts before you start the event. During the day monitor your food intake and make sure that you are eating sufficiently. Eating a balanced variety of foods little and often is generally the best rule of thumb. Drink plenty of water! If you are thirsty during the challenge, it means that you are already mildly dehydrated. Please ensure you drink regularly. Also make sure that you make a note of how many times you go to the toilet as this is a signal that you are hydrating yourself adequately. Your urine, if hydrated properly should be a clear or very light straw yellow colour. The two things that will probably affect you the most during your challenge will be chafing and blisters. Both of these are extremely common when walking long distances. There are many things that you can do to prevent blisters and chafing, here are a few to get you going: Make sure your boots fit you right Make sure your footwear fits you correctly when you buy them. When wearing your boots tighten laces regularly to prevent movement and keep toenails cut short to prevent rubbing. Break in your footwear Always break in your footwear, wear them as much as you can so they adapt to the shape of your feet. Change your socks frequently - As you will be covering long distances socks will likely become damp with sweat. Changing socks regularly will help keep feet dry and reduce the chance of blisters. Avoid cotton underwear - The biggest factor in avoiding chafing is your underwear. Your underwear is in continual and direct contact with your skin, if you are going to have problems, that's usually where they start. If possible, buy moisture wicking sports underwear. The material will be better and the seams will be sewn and located in a way that will minimize friction and rubbing. They will also draw moisture away from the skin and dry much quicker than cotton. Prevention is better than cure If you know that you are prone to blisters and/or chafing then take action before you start walking. For blisters try taping your feet with zinc oxide tape in the areas you get blisters. If you are prone to chafing try using a preventative such as Vaseline or a specialist running or cycling lubricant. During the challenge if you get any signs of chafing, hotspots or you get a fully formed blister, stop and deal with it as soon as possible. Carrying on will only make things worse and compromise your chances of completing the challenge

The route will be marked using fluorescent arrows which you will be able to follow. You will also be provided with a route guide that you can use to keep track of where you are.

A support team from Global Adventure Challenges will be in attendance throughout the challenge. The following roles will be covered on your challenge.

9 The route will be marked using fluorescent arrows which you will be able to follow. You will also be provided with a route guide that you can use to keep track of where you are. If you do get lost don t panic! You can call Event Control using the mobile number that is on the back of your route guide. Please don t worry we will not leave anyone behind! A support team from Global Adventure Challenges will be in attendance throughout the challenge. The following roles will be covered on your challenge. Event Management Team The Event Management team will oversee the entire challenge and all the behind the scenes responsibilities (this is a LONG list). They will be the first ones awake and the last ones to sleep to ensure you have the best time possible on your challenge. Route Marshal These people will be situated at strategic points along the route and will be ready to offer any support that they can. They are experienced leaders who are familiar with the trekking terrain and just love the outdoors! Sweep Walkers Our sweep team remain behind the last walkers they remove signage, pick up any outstanding litter and provide support and encouragement to those at the back of the group. TrekFest Village Team Organising registration, manning the finish and keeping the TrekFest Village in tip-top condition the TrekFest Village team are a busy bunch! Checkpoint Team Our checkpoint teams will ensure that there are refreshments available for every trekker and are also there to check you in, offer advice on the next leg and provide some friendly words of encouragement.

Participant Information Pack

Participant Information Pack The Midnight Mountain Marathon 23rd June 2018 Event location: HQ Henderson Hall Parking Talybont Campsite The Midnight Mountain Marathon HQ is based at the Henderson Hall in