Open12 - Event Details

The following is a copy of the questions posed prior to the Open12 in 2007, it also includes an adaptation of the questions posed prior to the Open24 in 2005 and 2006. As and when questions are asked we have added these to the list. 

This list will be revised in April to reflect some of the elements we have obtained permission to use during the event. E.g. if there is no caving we will delete those questions.

We will be deliberately coy in answering any questions in regards to specific details of the event as it wouldn't’t take too much for those in the know to work out the location

Event Format

  1. Is it possible to compete as a team of 4? No – the event has been set up for pairs
  2. Where is it?  Not telling you, it will be in the final details released on the 14th June.
  3. Is water available (other than our own) at transition points There will be either tap water or water available in jerry cans at each transition.
  4. Just wondered what format the Anquet Control locations will be in? They will be in the ADF format for the V6 software a sample file can be downloaded from this site - see event details.
  5. Can you open Anquet Files in Memory Map? Really don’t know as we don’t have Memory Map.
  6. One of us is injured can we get a refund? This question and ones similar have come from friends which makes it all the more difficult, but in summary no we are not offering refunds in the month preceding the event – A large portion of the Open12 costs are for hiring of equipment and staff, we have committed to these expenses on the expectation that everyone will come.
  7. Emergency food. What are we allowed to carry? Can this be high sugar foods such as honey, jellies etc? Again common sense, 4 jelly babies does not constitute as emergency food, most teams will carry a spare energy bar.
  8. Are substitutions of team members possible due to illness / injury? Yep right up to registration, it’s in our interest to get people racing.
  9. Will we have to get everything we need for the whole event either in the 15kg pack or our backpacks including equipment for the special stages, i.e. harness, climbing helmet etc? Yes [added 12/6]
  10. I use shorts and cycling leg warmers for running and riding if it gets cold. Therefore, do my cycling leg warmers class as spare 'leggings' or do I need to carry shorts as well? We will still stick to having those items on the mandatory kit, discretion might play at the briefing on the Open12 / 24 but for the moment plan to have them in the box / bag. A full change of clothes is pretty essential if the weather turns very nasty or if you find yourself getting very WET! [added 12/6]
  11. You said we still might need a Buoyancy aid, if so does it have to fit in our bag as well? no hand this over after the briefing and we will make sure its in the right place at the right time. [added 22/6]
  12. Will there be any food provided during the event or do we need to bring our own? no food will be provided during the event. [added 22/6]
  13. Can we use a kit box at open 12 instead of kit bag? Nope [added 22/6]
  14. The kit list states "Mandatory – As specified on control description cards" yet nothing is on the CD's? our mistake sorry. Common sense will prevail here if its chucking with rain it down expect to carry full waterproof cover, if its a clear night and 16oC no need to bother. Will clarify pending weather at briefing. Nothing worse than lugging kit around that is clearly not needed. [added 22/6]
     
    Mountain Biking

  15. How though is the mountain biking course? Eg: Stairs, rates of climb and descent and condition of terrain (Woodland or cycle paths).  In terms of terrain, it will be a mixture of tracks, minor roads and bridleways, as a general rule we do try and avoid sections that require carrying your bike
  16. Do we need buy expensive MTB lights? depends on your route choice and start time.
  17. Does the MTB clothing for use at night have to be fully waterproof, or can we use regular cycle over-top such as water resistant, breathable commuter top for example? Common sense prevails here, just pop a posting on sleepmonsters and I’m sure a plethora of story’s will rattle out about wrong clothing at the 2005 Wilderness ARC (a large number of teams dropped out) – we would have a problem if you set off with an Alton Towers plastic mac even if it was a clear night.
  18. Cycle lights - any minimum requirements for brightness? Nope
  19. Do we have to return to transition 1-2 after stage 2a before starting stage 2b -that's what it looks like with the transition information at the bottom of the sheet? Sorry poorly worded the controls on 2b are an extension of the list on 2a. No you don't have to return to transition, however you might want to take some spare clothes. [added 22/6]
  20. I'm confused about the statement under stage 2b descriptions about the track south of 80 and a link to a bridleway? It should be track south of 98 sorry, controls were renumbered. [added 22/6]

    On foot

  21. The main question (and concern) is the amount of running.  Can it all be walked or is it necessary to run during this section or at any other time and, if so, over what distance? You don’t have to run anywhere, the estimated distances are now on the website.
  22. I guess that during the evening / night section competitors use a head torch or similar? A good quality powerful head torch would be the way to go.
  23. The waterproof jacket/trousers - do these have to have taped seams (as per KIMM) or is untaped Pertex kit allowed? For one particular stage you will be expected to carry a suitable waterproof which has taped seems and has a hood.  For the MTB sections you can use a pertex top without taped seems and it does not have to have a hood.
  24. Are trekking poles allowed? Yes
  25. Torch. Does a head torch count or do we have to carry separate torch too? Yes Head torch counts, although you will need to carry spare batteries or a spare torch as well
  26. We are intrigued about the mention of trekking. Is there a trek stage, and if so how does it differ from a run stage? It doesn't it, we are just trying to reassure people that you really do not have to run [added 12/6]
  27. I have a goretex running jacket, but it does not have hood. do i have to find another jacket? As with other Open Adventure events discretion will play a part on the day. If the weather is clear then no problem. As a backup we suggest you put a mountain jacket in the car. [added 22/6]

    Caving

  28. What footwear do you intend us to use on the caving sections? Having been a university club caver, we found  wellies to be the most practical.  Agree although any extra footwear you will have to carry with you.  The kit list highlights footwear required.
  29. If you don't do the caving, do you get a reduction in points. Also, how long is the caving, and how difficult? Yep there are points linked to doing the caving, however none of the special sections are mandatory.  How long and how difficult the caving is, is not something we are going to disclose at this point.  However we do pride ourselves in creating challenging and achievable events for beginners as well as the top racers.
  30. Caving - Full waterproof covering? Presumably not trying to direct us towards dry suits? You can wear a dry suit if you wish but I’d suggest that it would be a little over the top.
  31. I usually view waterproofs as items to keep you warm, and occasionally dry .. So, hood? You don’t need a hood on the waterproofs for the caving.
  32. Gloves? Don’t really need gloves but feel free to wear them
  33. Footwear - would probably opt for usual AR grippy, drainable, quickish drying unless you are specifying better protection. My recollection is that caving wellies have holes to let the water out anyway? Trainers will be fine.
  34. Headtorch - does it need to be waterproof? No
  35. Can caving helmets be used on the rope sections as well? response from Tony our caving advisor Modern Caving / Climbing helmets are pretty much the same spec. The benchmark is that them should be CE approved and with a suitable cradle/chin strap. If they are less than 5 years old they will be acceptable/suitable for both caving and climbing. [added 12/6]
  36. can you give us any indication of the anticipated queues (if any) at the special stages? We don't expect any queues on the special stages as we have increased the gap between start times. However if there was one it would be on the caving on stage1 because someone has got their butt stuck in a hole. [added 22/6]

    Rope sections

  37. I have never abseiled is this is a problem?  no, we will set up the rope sections assuming no prior technical knowledge - so your safety will be in the hands of the rope technician not yours, however we won't put your harness on for you.  We do highly recommend that competitors do get out and have a go at abseiling, due to the volume of people on the event we won't be able to offer participants the chance to pause, contemplate what they are about to do, um arh, shall I shan't I - you will be politely removed from the stage.
  38. Would it be OK to miss the rope sections out?  Yep although you will incur a penalty on your scores
  39. Is it possible to hire the kit required for the rope section? yes call at Total Adventure on 015394 44451 or e-mail office@total-adventure.co.uk
  40. Can I use a prussic or other safety device instead of being attached to a safety rope?  Yes, if you are either SPA, MIA, MIC or IRATA qualified.  Please bring a copy of your certificate with you to registration.  Unfortunately we can not accept other Adventure Race event certificates.
  41. Is a caving harness acceptable for the rope sections? No
  42. On the kit list is it 2 karabiners and a leash sling each or per pair? per person unless otherwise stated [added 22/6]

Any top tips? 

For the trekking section we will be making use of some remote areas and in some circumstances using control locations that are beyond the regular path junctions - familiarising yourself with contours on a map and how they would look on the ground would be a real benefit.