Having competed with my partner in the Alston event and throughly it, we were disapointed that
Aaahhh, but bivibags are now legal...according to a posting here a few weeks ago by Graham L. It's just that the published rules haven't "caught up" with this new ruling. Really Ian you should pay more attention ! Devotion to the website is essential in the weeks leading up to the event to pick up nuggets such as this, and the fact that that the controls are posted on the site on the Wednesday (or Thursday)evening, which is also not stated in the "format" as far as I recall. Good job none of us have anything better to do !
Goretex hooped bivis (Graham has specified that all bivi bags used must be hooped) are heavier than sup airs and Polaris tents so don't really offer any benefits as far as weight saving.
Ian
Our kit check marshall was not there this time but what normally happens is that we kit check the overnight winners on the finish line.
I (and all the other solos AFAIK) got gear checked at the o/n at the spring Polaris last year. I suppose as that was the first time they let solos do a spring or autumn event they were being extra careful. I also remember a gear check at the end of the autumn event in Exmoor (2000?)
I don't think that the mandatory kit list is particularly excessive as it stands at the moment.
As a soloist, I used a goretex bivvy tent (hooped bivi) and it weighs about 800g which is more than the polaris one. Therefore, I can't see why people should be getting upset about using them as there is no weight advantage really. Besides, a hooped bivvy is a small tent anyway! Random spot checks are a good idea, that way everyone is encouraged to take the required kit. Not quite sure why you have to have a working stove at the end though..... this means you have to have your gas cannister with you (albeit empty?). Still, all adds to the fun.
a bivvi bag might be just lighter/heavier than a suppair...but its advantages are it adds a season to a sleeping bag, you get to stay on you insulation all night...both of which are better for a solo rider...i could not agree with graham more about 'its your choice either your nights sleep suffers or your back suffers' its about making a decision...the only mandatory kit IMHO should be a space blanket, firstaid kit, whistle, compass and map...
two of the rules set were being openly broken. The first being the use of bivy bags though I have no objection to them being used I noticed at the overnight campsite there were a few of them in use by what appeared to be solo entrants. This then should have been picked up at the mandatory check at the end of the event. If people are being allowed to use them, then the rules should be changed to give all enterants the opportunity to minimise any weight carried without breaking the rules. We also noticed that an individual was carrying his eletronic tag on a piece of string round his neck which could have been removed at any time. I would certainly not suggest that this chap was cheating but it certainly provides the opportunity for those who would to get away with it. These may be minor points but I personally feel if you are going to have rules they should be folled by one and all and enforced by the organisers.
By MikeH ( - 144.87.143.4) on Thursday, October 16, 2003 - 11:00 am:
By chilly&uncomfortable; ( - 213.38.206.103) on Thursday, October 16, 2003 - 11:23 am:
I'm sure a hooped bivi bag offers a greater degree of shelter, comfort and warmth than my sup air and therefore are more suited to the event for a soloist but I'm still using a sup air cos it's lighter. It makes sense to allow hooped bivi bags, what is the Polaris 'tent' after all?
By Tony F ( - 193.132.31.237) on Thursday, October 16, 2003 - 12:35 pm:
Yes the mandatory kit check for solo's would pick up an infringements in kit rules...
If there was one! I certainly had all my kit but wasn't checked and whilst I sat eating my vegetable and bean whatsit near the finish line, I saw no one else get checked?
If the "mandatory check" is just a threat to ensure solos carry all their kit then it does need to be carried out (even if only randomly) to ensure the rule isn't abused. Mind you in six PC's I've never seen or heard of anyone receiving a kit check???
Can anyone prove me wrong?
By GrahamL ( - 195.229.185.180) on Thursday, October 16, 2003 - 01:26 pm:
I am not in favour of mandatory kit checks for all, this is a self sufficient event, you should all have sufficient experience of what you need to carry and more importantly how to use it.
If we did one then when to do it, on the start line is too late, at registration is pointless, I normally look at packs on the start line and can usually spot light packs and have a quick look. But, if you skimp then it not us who suffers.
It is not kit but knowledge that is the key.
By Chris M ( - 192.102.214.6) on Thursday, October 16, 2003 - 01:30 pm:
They should do them a bit more often IMHO, but don't really need to check everybody - the threat of one should be enough to keep people in line.
In any case we've done this one many times before, and I'm sure the conclusion was that all the top guys (the ones with the small packs) do carry all the mandatory kit. There is always the threat of a gear check, and who'd want to throw a top placing away for not carrying the right stuff. Anyway all the mandatory kit does get used by most of us - who here doesn't wear the controversial waterproof trousers at o/n - and weighs very little more than the minimum possible you could get away with. As said before, bivvy bags are generally heavier - even the very lightest non-hooped version is barely any lighter than a Polaris tent for a solo.
By IanB ( - 217.158.145.146) on Thursday, October 16, 2003 - 07:23 pm:
However, there are no minimum standards required for things like first aid kits, torches, tool kits and emergency rations. The content (and hence weight, bulk and effectiveness) of these items is, IMHO, upto to the individual. Consequently, unless kit checks are exercised more often, or at least occassionally, entrants have the opportunity to equip themselves with items that meet the rules in terms of description but would possibly be inadequate in terms of use
There is, after all, no reason not to carry all this stuff - its mandatory for a reason: there's a chance you might need it!
By Justin Rush ( - 195.92.67.69) on Saturday, October 18, 2003 - 08:31 pm:
By vango ( - 212.211.88.23) on Sunday, October 19, 2003 - 11:05 pm: