Day 3 Race Check in and Divulging Day 1

Day 3 began with the process typical of any adventure race, check in. Preparing our gear the morning of check in seemed unexpectedly easy compared to many of my past racing experiences. I hoped that the painless preparation process in preparing for check in would transfer to an easy check in as well.

I was very pleased when we stepped outside the hotel to see the check in and gear check process was very streamlined. The initial process included medical check where many participants presented physical forms and provided health insurance information to the race organization. Lost in translation was the fact that each participant was suppose to provide a medical sign off of good health during registration; we were pleased to see that this was not a big issue as the medical staff quickly took our heart rates and breathing rates and signed us of to begin the gear check of the check in process.

After having our climbing gear, bikes, and mandatory gear checked we were done registering and ready to see what we would be facing on Day 1 of the Transmarocaine Adventure Race

That evening all the racers gathered together for the race brief for Day 1. During this time we saw that day one would begin with a short run to one bike where teams would begin a short ride and tie section feeding into a split in the race. Following the ride and tie the adventure race would split teams into two courses. Half the teams would do an 1 hour 15 minute orienteering course and the other half would do a 1hour 5 minute orienteering paddle. After completing the first discipline teams would swap and complete the other discipline of the race. This would be followed by a long bike ride through the desert, and a short urban style orienteering section in historical ruins. The day would finish with a bike ride to the finish. The only catch to this race brief was we were provided a passport, which we were pleased to see the race management had translated to English, but we would not receive maps until we hit each particular portion of the course. This would be standard throughout the race and make the question of the map quality and route difficulty for day 1 a question to think about throughout the night.

After the race brief we had an opportunity to go as an entire race to a dinner hosted by the mayor of the town in their grand palace. We were welcomed with traditional moroccon music and we were provided with a grand feast. This would be the first indication that the Moroccon people truly invited us to visit their country and the race management had done their best to ensure that they intertwined us with much of the country's culture into the race as possible. After eating, singing and dancing teams slowly began to leave and head back to the hotel to get a good night's sleep before the racing began.

Over the Atlas Mountains to race check in at Ouarzazate

Day 2-3 Bus Ride from Marrakesh to Ouarzazate, Race Check in

Day2 found us loading our bike into trucks in the early morning to prepare for the travel to the race start at Ouarzazate. While loading ouyr bikes we saw the exceptional focus on small details which the race management team would show throughout the race. Racemanagement provided cardboard to protect the bikes derailleurs and brakes from damage during the travel. I was very impressed but this small amount of forethought as even in my many years of racing in the US I have never seen this much attention to such small detail.

Another thing that really excited us about this adventure race was the lack of logistical demand placed on the individual racers. Within the entry fee the race staff provide hotels, transportation, and meals. Although we had to travel all the way to Morocco Julia and I both agreed that the logistics for the race up to this point had been easier than some of the races we have done as close as West Virginia.

After loading up our bikes we loaded our remaining gear and got on a bus that would take the racers over the Atlas Mountains to t6he edge of the Sahara at Ouarzazate and the official race starting point.

The bus ride over the Atlas Mountains was premonition of waht we would face during the race 8,000 ft mountains covered in wet snow and mud with steep dirt roads that ascended along the sides of the canyons. After making our way over the mountains the environment changed to flatter desert surrounded with small plateaus. Within this trip to the race start we found out quite a bit about the environments we would travel through over the next 5 days.

The town of Ouarzazate is famous for its film production as major studio lays there and desert scenes for many various Hollywood productions have been filmed in the town. The race team did not disappoint by putting the race start here this town had all the amentities one could wish for when preparing for a race and the hotel we stayed at agin was top notch. After arriving at the hotel and unloading from the buses all teams were accounted for and the initial welcome by race management was made that evening. Sunday would be the day for gear check and provide us with the opportunity to see what Day 1 of the race course would have in store for us.

Arriving In Morocco

Unfortuately there was little to no internet access during our trip so I will begin a summary of our trip and experience at the Transmarocaine adventure race today. I willl continue to update each day of the race every day or two for the next week or so.

Day 1 Arrival in Morocco

After a long overnight flight through Brussels we finally arrived in Morocco on March 6th. We were gtlad to see that all our luggage including our bikes arrived in Marrekesh with us. After making our way through customs we were greated by race management who helped us load our gear onto a bus and provided us with transportation to ourselves. Along with us were teams from Belgium and France. The race managemnet was able to keep us updated on the lay out of the next day or so of the race and spoke English well enough that we did not feel completely lost. Upon arriving at our hotel we were pleased to see that it had all the emenities you would expect of a US hotel. After getting to the hotel we began the process of putting together our bikes and race equipment for the days of racing to come. The hotel had a basement which provided ample room for all teams to assemble their bikes and store the bike boxes for the duration of the race.

After finishing putting our bikes together we took them for a test ride and were pleased to see that they made the trip in good working order. During our bike ride we had the opportunity to begin to see the Morocain culture that would be so tied together with the race itself. Camels could be seen in the outskirts of town and in the further distance were the high mountains we would be traveling throught during days 2,3,4, and 5 of the race. The town of Marrakesh was adorned with a great deal of Arabic architecture and palaces. It did not take us long to realize that this would be a unique experience unlike anything we have had in the past.

We finishedthe day with a dinner of pizza and burgers trying not to be to adventurous in what foods we orders as we knew we had 5 long days of adventure racing ahead of us. We ended the day early feeling the effects of our travel and getting a good nights sleep in preparations for the days of adventure racing to come. Teams would continue to arrive throughout the night arriving as late as 2 am.

Morroco, French, and Adventure racing with Breathe Mag

It happened quickly , in fact the phone call came only 2 1/2 weeks ago. I received a phone call from Breathe Magazine (www.breathemag.ca/), the premier adventure racing and multisport magazine in North America, myself and Pura Vida Adventures co-owner Julia Pollock were selected to represent Breathe Magazine USA at the TransMarocaine Adventure Race in Morroco http://www.transmarocaine.org/ . Not normally willing to pass up an adventure, especially one that is to be partially financially supported the two of us did not need to do much deliberating before we had signed on the dotted lines and were on our way.

Well we actually committed to the trip prior to finding out too many details about the race itself and the country of Morroco. The past two weeks have been spent gaining this additional information that we needed to get prepared for this international racing opportunity.

The first thing we did is find out what we signed up for in terms of racing and have been excited about what we found. The adventure race will be stage style and include foot travel, ride and tie, mountain biking, ropes, and orienteering. We were pleased to see that horseback riding and rollerblading were not included in the list of disciplines. Julia was greatly disappointed that camel riding was excluded from the race. Oh, one other minor detail about the race it seems that the language is French. This has added some additional challenges to the preparation process, however with the help of a bilingual race administrator, internet translation sites, 5 years of high school French, and the Breathe Magazine Canada team, who also does not speak French, we feel we have gotten most of the information we need at this time.

After getting our hands wrapped around the race itself we moved on to find out more about the country of Morroco. Prior to my research, my knowledge of Morroco was limited to watching Eco Challenge Morroco, but since then I have found out the following:

The official language of business is French, but the spoken language is Berber Arabic. In 2002 a mandate was made that English be taught in schools after the fourth year.

It is third Largest Arabic country and is just larger than California with a population of 34 million.

The Atlas mountains rise as high 15,000 ft. This mountain divides the north higher populated areas with the low populated desert area of the south.

We hope to continue to provide information about our trip and this international race throughout our travels so stay tuned and visit http://www.transmarocaine.org/ for further race details.

We also want to thank Breathe Magazine http://www.breathemag.ca/ for this great opportunity in addition to Pura Vida Adventures http://www.pvadventures.com/ for supply support and Looking Glass Outfitters http://www.lookingglassoutfitters.com/ for providing gear support.

I am sure this trip and race willl provide additional stories and learning experiences to share with all of our 2009 Adventure Racing Camp Participants http://www.pvadventures.com/news/index.html .

Fastpacking the Art Loeb Trail

The 34 miles and approximately 10,000 ft of elevation gain on the Art Loeb trail makes it a popular backpacking trail located in Pisgah National Forest. Typically hikers take 2-3 days to backpack the length of the trail, while taking in its stunning views from Tennet Mountain, Black Balsam Knob, and Pilot Mountain. The trail begins at Daniel Boone Campground and ends at the Davidson River Campground both located in Pigah National Forest. Traditionally backpacker’s camp at sites such as Ivestor Gap, Deep Gap Shelter, and Butter Gap Shelter as these are some of the only water sources directly on the trail. Over the years more and more people are beginning to tackle the Art Loeb and its 34 miles and approx. 10,000 ft of elevation in a day. It is a formidable challenge but can be done by any individual with a high level of fitness, experience, and planning. Depending on your fitness level the trek takes between 8-14 hours, so an early morning start is recommended. If you are ready to challenge yourself with this adventure here are a few tips:

Make sure you let someone know of your plans

Provide yourself with a bailout option if you begin to have trouble

Research the trail and what you can expect in regards to water sources and navigation choices.

A minimum of these ten essentials should be carried during this adventure


Lightweight day pack
MSR dromedary bladder
Lightweight headlamp
Emergency blanket/ first aid
Comfortable socks and sturdy Trail running shoes
Food of your choice
Lightweight but effective rain gear
Middle layer
Winter hat
Pisgah Ranger District Map and Compass

Article written by Joe Moerschbaecher of Pura Vida Adventures, Pura Vida Adventures offers Art Loeb Trail Shuttles, Guided day hikes of the Art Loeb trail, and multi day backpacking and slackpacking trips of the Art Loeb Trail. Please contact us at 772-579-0005 or contact@pvadventures.com

Calendar of Scheduled course through March of 2009

Skills Camps and Clinics Jan- March of 2009

Pura Vida Adventures is excited to offer some additional camps and clinics in 2009, which will allow adventure racers and outdoor enthusiasts alike to gain additional experience with the more specific technical skills associated with adventure racing. Details on each of the courses can be found below and the schedule for these clinics is also included. Learn more, get additional experience, and gain greater competency in our navigating day and night, Ropes and rock, and whitewater weekends. As always most of the equipment you need is provided. All classes offer small student to instructor ratios.

Jan 24th and 25th Navigating both Day and Night

Also offered Feb 28th and 29th

Length- 18 hours Part one- Classroom Instruction Part two- Daytime Navigation Practical in the field Part three- Debrief of daytime practical and nighttime classroom Part four- Nighttime field navigation followed by debrief Cost per person $150 limit of six particpants. Participants receive Instruction, field experience, Navigation workbook, and 1:2400 UTM grid. More Info: Land Navigation/ Orienteering Completion of land navigation course Topics included: Goal 1:How a compass works. Goal 2: To orient a map using a compass and land features. Goal 3: To name and identify topographic features on a map and use them to assist with navigating. Goal 4: Adapt navigational skills to a variety of weather and light conditions. Goal 5: Learn to use and plot UTM coordinates. Apply these concepts in the field and show the ability to teach these concepts in the field in the context of adventure racing.

Feb 7th and 8th Ropes and Rock Clinic

Also offered March 14th and 15th

Length- Sat day, Sun day Limit four participants, Cost $250 per person
This course is designed to provide you with competence and confidence on ropes and rocks. It covers all skills adventure racers are expected to know including: proper gear and how it should be rigged, rappelling and ascending techniques, fixed lines, passing knots, prussic knots, and Tyrolean traverse technique.
In addition this course offers additional opportunities for you to become comfortable using ropes by discussing and practicing efficient climbing techniques and showing how it translate to more effective and faster ascending and rope work. All climbing gear provided.

March 28th and 29th Whitewater Weekend
Length- Fri Night, Sat day, Sun day Limit six participants, Cost $250 per person

American Canoe Association Swiftwater Rescue Courses and Paddling Weekend
This course is designed to provide you with competence and confidence on whitewater. Topics include, but are not limited to, outfitting, water reading, paddling techniques, rescue of a capsized boat, portaging, identifying river hazards, rope throw, stabilization lines, and whitewater swimming. All paddling gear provided
In addition this course will provide an ample amount of opportunity to gain additional paddling experience in inflatable kayaks on three different rivers.
Fri Night- Whitewater classroom instruction
Day 2- paddle Upper Green Class II and III, paddle Lower Green Class II, Rescue instruction and skill.
Day 3- paddle Section 9 of the French Broad Class III, rescue instruction and practice.

Adventure Racing 5 day camp April 22-26th

Cost $700 dollars

3 Day camps April 17, 18, and 19th; May 29, 30, 31st; June 25th, 26th,27th

Cost $375

Additional classes are constantly being scheduled so visit often or request specific dates by emailing contact@pvadventures.com

Three Day AR Camp Added

A three day AR Camp has been added to the five day Camp. The three day camp will cover Ropes, Whitewater, and Navigation. The dates are Sept. 12-14. See details below.