March 11th & 12th 2006 – AROC Mansfield-Mt Buller Adventure Weekend

All images used on this page copyright Mark Watson and Holimage.com

Day 1 – Goughs Bay
The inaugural AROC Sport Mansfield-Mt Buller Adventure Weekend was planned from the onset to be a cut above the average AR event in all areas – endurance, fitness, navigation, technical ability and most of all fun! Designed to be contested across two days, the first at Goughs Bay in Lake Eildon, the second on Mt Buller itself, places in the event were limited to fifty teams which promised to ensure that there was a very high calibre field of competitors.

TKT fielded two teams – Mike, Andy & Col using the Tali Karng Trackers name for the first time in an event and Ben, Sara & Chris signing in under the “Miscellaneous Masters”.

Off on the adventure
With the team meeting at Sara’s place on Friday evening, we headed up via Mick’s Scooby Doo van and Colin’s Suby to our first destination at Goughs’ Bay at Lake Eildon. On route, we stopped off for a pub meal at the Yea local where we took the opportunity to get to know each other better and enjoy a few ales. Expectations were high from everyone as it was the longest event (5+ hours) which Sara, Andy and Col had entered and the very first Adventure Race for Ben and Chris. The excitement of arriving at the Gough’s Bay Caravan Park faded away to be replaced by the more immediate focus of our first event, scheduled to kick off at 7:30am. With such an early start, it was agreed to wake at 5:30am to enable plenty of time for breakfast, registration and study of the supplied course maps.

Water Skiers enjoying their long weekend
Unfortunately for us, our caravan was stationed next to what were possibly the noisiest water skiers in the greater Lake Eildon area. Taking advantage of the long weekend, our considerately inconsiderate neighbours decided to take advantage of copious amounts beer, bourbon and I believe Tequila shots took place around the camp fire at 2:30am…. Their boom box stereo (Phil would have loved it) was cracking out the 80′s tunes with reckless abandon. Suffice to say, the Tali Karng Trackers on their inaugural outing, ready to take on the world of AR, arose from what felt like little more than 20 minutes sleep. The consensus amongst us was that our neighbours had perhaps gone to bed around 4:15am. We weren’t a pretty sight in the morning!

7:30am registration saw us collect maps and begin the assessing, planning and strategising which is so important at any race – it was a challenging course, 34 checkpoints, multiple paddling stages (4km), lots of mountain biking (35km) and plenty of running (15km). All across the local terrain in the Gough’s Bay area.

Leg 1 saw the teams enter the water for the opening paddle. A reasonably orderly line up and an enthusiastic yell from the event marshall set the teams on their way. For TKT & the Miscellaneous Masters we were able to stay with the field as a group and beached our craft to set off in pursuit of the first 6 checkpoints. Whilst the checkpoints were relatively close together, the terrain was challenging with narrow gorges and very steep climbs. This caused the field to spread as the various teams started to exercise their experience (or lack of) in the navigation. Returning to the paddle stage, spirits were high, as the weather was clear, energy levels were good and we had completed 6 of the 35 checkpoints in good time. Both teams were in the top half of the field.

Leg 2 saw us hit the bikes, which took us through fantastic terrain in the local pine tree plantations via fire trails and access roads. The dry conditions conspired to create a huge amount of ‘bulldust’ which proved punishing on our bikes running gear. Leg 3 led us into Transition Area (TA) 2 and saw us conduct more navigation on foot for checkpoints 6-10. By now two hours had passed and the two teams had split, electing to go different directions according to each teams pre-race strategy. Mick, Andy & myself opted to run to the furthest checkpoint (CP) first, which was at the top of the hill and work backwards collecting the checkpoints as we worked towards TA3. The going was tough as we scoured the surrounding terrain for checkpoints. Thick scrub and a very steep hill climb bought us to the edge of the plantation where it had been logged and we descended into a very steep valley which had an eerily desolate feel too it, because of the felled trees, dust and heat. We learnt later that the temperature had climbed to 35 degrees. Leg 4, back to the bikes, to travel on road, more firetrails and single track to collect checkpoints 11-18.

The terrain was relatively flat at this stage and we made good progress riding parallel to a small river across private properties which covered some prime Angus beef grazing land, vineyards and orchards. Water consumption was steady, yet the high speed we were travelling at meant constant refills and top ups. The picturesque ride through the rolling meadows gave way to more hilly terrain which resulted in some arduous climbs. Four hours out and fatigue was starting to play a part in our ability to navigate at the pace we had set. Some hilly access trails under the power pylons led us to more checkpoints and than a spectacular ride along some sweet single track for 4km or so which meandered through the pine trees. This was a welcome change as the sun overhead was shielded by the canopy of connifers and the resulting ride was fast and furious – certainly one of the most memorable parts of the ride for myself.

Legs 5 & 6 covered checkpoints 19-24 which involved crossing more open farmland via bike and a river crossing, which was welcome for the chance to top our water supplies up. Part of the journey included floating/wading down the river on huge truck tyre tubes to collect more checkpoints – this was great for the “refresh” it offered.

For the remainder of the race, our team was battling against the clock. Eight hours out in 35+ degree conditions and we had 32 of the 34 checkpoints. It was at this stage that we were advised to go straight back to the main start/finish area, as the event organisers had elected to close the race course. We were disappointed to not be able to complete legs 8 & 9, which were another ride and paddle, but learnt later that only four of the twenty teams that had started completed the entire course. Our team was rapt that we had made it so far. The Tali Karng Trackers in what had been the toughest event to date came 13th out of the 20 teams that started.

Mick, Andy and myself arrived back at the cars to find that Ben, Chris & Sara had run into serious trouble whilst mountain biking the meadows in leg 4. The team had been setting a cracking pace and were coming in what we believe to be fifth or sixth place, when 3.5 hours in, they have rounded a blind corner like a freight train at around 35 km/h and Ben went full tilt into a wombat hole with his bike. Thankfully he is okay, but the resulting crash buckled the frame in both the down tube and cross bar of his bike and stove in his front fork up to the crank. The bike was unrideable and as a consequence, the team had withdrawn from the race.

With this in mind, Andy, Mick & myself were doubly thankful that we had safely completed our longest event to date as a team. We had gained heaps of valuable experience for the next day. Only two things were on our minds as we packed our gear and headed up to Mt Buller – food and sleep.

Arriving at Mt Buller, we were bunked up at the Iltis Ski Lodge. Part of our entry fees included a fantastic meal up at “The Cattleman” bar & restaurant. We spent the time over dinner talking amongst ourselves discussing the next days action. Ben managed to secure a bike from the event organiser, so the Miscellaneous Master’s were understandably raring to get out there and mix it up the next day.

To cap off what had been a tiring and exhausting day, we turned in for some much needed sleep. And thus day one ended.

Day 2 Mt Buller
After having spent the previous day in the Gough’s Bay area in what had resulted in “tough” conditions, we were all looking forward to spending some time up in the cooler climes of Mt Buller itself. Dinner the night before resulted in an informal chat with both Tom Landon Smith & Alina McMaster of AROC.

Their take on the previous days trials and tribulations revealed that the course had been more difficult than they had anticipated with teams finding it far more difficult in both paddling and the overall navigation. With only 4 teams completing the course, this was reinforced by Tom’s somewhat wry observation that next time he sets a course, he should actually physically complete the paddling stages before he puts an estimated stage completion time. The reality is that whilst the course was tough, Tom was probably spot on with the checkpoint timing estimations – if there was any oversight on the organisers part, it was solely based on the projected level of skill of the teams in the field. In any case, according to both Tom & Alina, the 2nd day was touted as being much easier with far more achievable race times likely. As a closing point, Tom noted that adventure races don’t get any harder or more difficult in terms of what we had done on day one – they are just longer – 24-36 hours or the grand daddy expedition events like XPD, Primal Quest or The Raid lasting 5-10 days. Considering Tom along with Team AROC came second in 2003 in Primal Quest and came first two weeks earlier in XPD, we took great heart in this!

Day 2 opened with a group start with all the teams congregating at the start/finish line. What resulted was a flurry of arms and legs as the 20 teams bolted every which way to the four points of the compass to locate the 16 checkpoints which were located around the Mount Buller township itself. We only had to collect 13 of these 16, so it was a strategic game from the onset to select the best ones, according to the terrain and their relative location. Running as fast as your legs could carry you helped alot too.

This stage went relatively smoothly and both TKT and the Miscellaneous Master’s made it onto the bike stages without a hitch and in the top 5 of the field. Ben, Chris and Sara were relatively fresh, from the previous days bike mishap, so this put them in good stead to complete the initial orienteering leg in what was an event winning pace. Colin, Andy & Mick, feeling the pinch from the previous days 9 hour stint, were still making steady progress and were not far behind. The day unfolded with a high speed mountain bike down the firetrails of Mount Buller, which proved both fun and scenic. Rocky trails peppered with the odd bushwalker here or there proved to be an obstacle course, but this quickly gave way to some smooth flowing walking paths which wound their way through the fern tree forests. We passed through terrain which Mick and I were used too from our many ski trips – although we were more familiar with seeing the trees and paths covered in snow and hence the overall look was quite different. Both teams split at this stage, again electing different strategies to collect checkpoints.

We collected checkpoints 17-20 on this route before embarking on foot to get checkpoints 21-25. The navigation in this stage was far easier, as it was predominantly limited to the access trails and walking tracks, so we made steady progress, even passing a few teams here. Back onto the bikes for the next 5 checkpoints. These were all located on an uphill stretch and it was here that the previous days exertions came to the fore.

Leg 1 – Day 1 – Paddling Stage – Chris, Ben & Sara kit up

Day 2 after a good nights sleep – Bright eyed and bushy tailed

Colin still able to pull a smile in the 35 degree heat, Day 1.

Circa Checkpoint 20 whilst crossing the Vineyards and Angus territory.

Chris hitting Warp 9 onthe downhill from the Mt Buller Village

Chris, Day 2 of the AROC weekend, heading down the stairs to get Checkpoint 17.

Ben’s bike, after a bit of corrective surgery courtesy of a local tree and both Ben & Chris pulling the frame out.

Ben’s Steven’s bike, worse the wear for hitting a wombat hole at 35km/h

Andy getting ready to rappel down the 20 meter wall, Day 2, Mt Buller.

TKT running to the finish line in the Mt Buller Village

Team progress slowed as my legs were not able to sustain the race pace for the hour long climb up both the firetrails and than what eventuated to be the Mount Buller access road. It was at this point that we got overtaken by a few teams. Andy & Mick assure me that the overall pace is what they had expected, but it was galling none the less to have to relinquish our hard won position due to fatigue. I was still strong in my mind and committed to my course of action and my heart was in it. Just the small problem of my legs propelling me up the hill was the missing factor. I was however still absolutely determined to finish the race.

Steady (but slow) walking up the hill allowed our team to hit the Horse Hill access lift in what we estimated to be 16th position, accounting for the teams we thought had passed us on the hill climb. Whilst tortuous I look back at the ascent of the Mount Buller road with some sense of achievement as I’m not likely to have the chance to do that again, unless it involves my Suby, chains and snow. A welcome chair lift ride allowed us to access the mountain itself, and as any event organiser can’t resist, our next checkpoint was located on the summit. A really steep walk led us to the final bunch of checkpoints. As is the case with adventure racing, fortune smiled on us, as we had somehow navigated better than some of the other teams and passed a few of them somewhere between the hill climb and the Horse Hill Access chair lift ride. It was here that we ran into Chris, Sara & Ben, which surprised us as we thought that they were in front of us by some margin. They bolted past us heading up to the summit which we had just completed, with the quick explanation that 2 of their bikes had broken on the hill climb. Talk about bad luck! We kept on moving, somewhat briskly as we were being followed closely (within 100 meters) by another team who we thought were in front of us as well – THE RACE WAS ON! The final stages of the event were amongst the most memorable for our team. That sense of competition, whilst battling it out for minor placings motivated us significantly and lifted our team pace by probably 30%. We jogged the final stage at a good rate, electing to take the ridgeline down the Federation valley, rather than the marked trail. This proved fortuitious as it placed us significantly in front of an additional two teams.

The closing stages were into the township itself where we located checkpoint 35 and began what would be an abseil down the side of a 15-20 meter building. Considering I had never abseiled in my life (not even at school), I was pretty pleased with the quick 3 minute lesson the instructor gave me and than over I went! It was alot of fun. Andy descended in much the same fashion, although he went action man style and did the very impressive looking Hollywood style ‘jumps’ that are just too darn cool for school. If commitment is measured by rope burn, than Andy gets the trophy, as he copped a few both on his hip and on his hands in his haste to get down and overtake another team. Mike made it down no fuss and we continued on to the finish line. Day 2 over and we had come 12th out of 20 teams!

The rest of the weekend was spent downing some welled earned beers, good wholesome food, sleep and talking over the event with our team mates. We met a few new people and got to chat to some of the other teams – it was somewhat reassuring to see that many of them had found the 2 days of action as much a challenge as we had.

The mishaps that beset Ben, Sara and Chris with all things bikes had continued into day 2. Ben on a fresh new stead, courtesy of Tom, the AROC event organisier, was going along fine, but on the downhill leg, Chris’s chain snapped and twisted, necessitating a quick field fix which removed 7 links from the chain. And cost them 20 minutes. Running with a shorter chain meant that gear selection was down, but considering the rest of the ride was uphill, this was not too problematic. However as fate would have it, with the team kicking on hard to make up for the lost time fixing the chain, Sara’s rear derailler hanger on her bike decided to snap right at the quarry. To paint the picture, the quarry is located at what was probably the lowest point of the entire bike ride section. Unfortunately what followed for the next 3 hours was a total workout for the entire team. Sara ended up running 2/3′s of the trails pushing her bike, freewheeling it on the downhill sections. When they hit the road, Chris & Ben than took turns to tow Sara up the Mt Buller access road from the Box Hill corner. The remaining firetrail from checkpoint 29 was again run by Sara, pushing her bike along. Ben tells me that he and Chris took great inspiration from Sara’s stellar efforts in keeping the team moving all the way until the end, particularly because Chris had injured his calf muscle earlier in the day. As is the case in adventure racing, the efforts of your team mates can drive you along significantly. This is an absolute tribute to their fitness and I have no doubt in my mind that had the team not encountered as many mechanical failures, they would have finished in the top 5.

This weekend was an absolute success on all counts – all the team learnt so much about what we can/can’t do, our limits and where we can improve. I think its changed all our training programs and perceptions in what is achievable. Personally for myself it was a “baptism by fire” in Andy’s words, one which I have taken a huge number of key lessons from. I’ve amped up my training, riding my bike more, running more and generally approaching this whole new fangled AR thing with a bit more zest. In hindsight, conversations with various people have made the very telling point that considering we have only been doing this for some 6 months, we’re doing pretty darn good as a team. Aside from the jibes about what lunatics we are and being overly enthusiastic, the sense of achievement and satisfaction I’m getting from competing in these AR events has been totally fantastic. The team spirit, training and just getting out there and seeing nature in all its glory all has an allure that has me hooked. As Mick so often points out, getting there is 80% of the battle. That final 20% can be put down to getting out there and just training. We can’t wait until next years event – I’ll be there with bells on.

Regards,
Colin – ‘Stay Strong, Stay on Target’