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SMAC Announces AR09

March 23 2009

Highland Recreation Area will be the location of this years race. This location offers 5900 acres of forest marshes and lakes in the rolling hills of Southeast Michigan. Terrain includes trails to accommodate mountain bikers and trekking as well as several lakes for water stages. Highland Recreation Area includes all of Southern Michigan's principal forest types including swamp cedar beech-maple forest oak-hickory as well as mixed hardwood forest all within one area. This natural resource has remained largely undisturbed and has retained its natural character as well as some unusual flora and fauna. A most excellent location for adventure racing ! ! !

RACE SIGN UP

LOCATION: Highland Recreation Area
HIGHLAND RECREATION AREA UNIT MAP
MAPS as Provided by the Southern Michigan Orienteering Club

RACE FLYER
Mountain bike trails by the MMBA

THE DISCIPLINES: Canoeing Mountain Biking Fixed Ropes Orienteering and *Special Events*

RACE CUTOFF: 10:00 hours

TEAMS: 2 person (coed male female)

MORE RACE INFO: Can be found SMAC AR09 section of the clubs webpage located on upper left column pull down menu

2008 FINAL RESULTS & BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Race Archive & Picture and Video Gallery

Paul Piorkowski

Race Director SMAC AR09

SMAC_POSTER_2009_rev1.0_For.gif

NEWS

Highland Recreation Area Elevation Models
by SMAC Tuesday, June 30, 2009 Although this years race will use orienteering level maps the two illustrations to the right show the topography and vegetation that can be expected at the July 18^th club race. If you click on the images it will open a larger copy of the elevation models.

Members Needed For 09AR Race Staff
by SMAC Monday March 23 2009 The club is looking for members who would like to be involved in the 2009 July AR. Members are needed for almost all of aspects of the July race. If you are planning on taking part in the clubs July race please note that in your response so that your involvement will limited to information that will not give you an advantage in the event. If you are interested in being part of the core team that will set the stage for the this July please contact Paul.
Winning Race Routes Are Updated
by SMAC August 10 2008 We have updated the Winning Race Routes page within the Navigation section of the clubs website. The Winning Race Routes page contains course notes from past race winners and detailed maps that depict the winning route that was used. The races represent past club events as well as some others races in which our members have competed. If you have a route/navigation based story that you have used and would like to share with the membership please e-mail Paul.
Membership Database & Signup Are Updated
by SMAC August 2 2008 Our membership database has undergone a major revision which allows the same login and password for the Membership Forum SMACGear and Race Sign Up. The new system will utilize one Membership Administration Interface where the members can edit their information. The members USER name will be their first_last name; initially the PASSWORD will be the e-mail address that was provided to the club. User name is not editable but the password can be edited at the Membership Administration Interface. Password retrieval can be retrieved by e-mailing Paul. The Membership Privacy Policy remains the same. We have included safeguards that will keep your information secure.
SMAC Race Shirts Are Now Available
		by SMAC August 2 2008 If you took part in the SMAC AR08 you received one of the new club race shirts. The shirts were especially made for our club and include the design details that are appreciated for training or competition. The shirts feature a zippered front and seams that lay flat to minimize chaffing and are made from super soft birds eye polyester to ensure good wicking and breathability. The shirts detail is the simple club logo graphics. We are offering them to our members at cost plus shipping and they are available in the SMAC Gear section of the clubs website. Check it out.
Race Archive Is Up To Date
by SMAC August 2 2008 The clubs race archive is now up to date. Including links to the pre and post race information as well media links. In addition many of the races include links to post race event reviews.
High Trek Adventure
By Jason High Trek Adventure March 23 2009 High Trek adventure is a unique urban race Where brains beat brawn! Teams of 2 solve clever clues and face fun challenges all while navigating the urban landscape via foot or on public transportation! It's a scavenger hunt, with all the thrills of the amazing race, mixed in with trivial pursuit, throw in a mini road race and add a dash of cat-and-mouse. And voila! You've got High Trek Adventure!	You should bring... 1. Fun attitude (no one hear is headed for Beijing in August...unless someone is) 2. Digital camera (your camera phone works too but better to bring a camera) 3. Money ($7-$10 per person) 4. Water 5. Comfy clothes (highly recommended NOT to wear jeans) 6. Light snack		2009 Schedule
			Mar 29, Atlanta Apr 4, San Diego Apr 11, Austin Apr 25, Philadelphia May 16, Chicago May 30, Rochester Jun 6, Boston Jun 27, New York City Jul 18, Seattle Jul 25, San Francisco Aug 1, Minneapolis Aug 8, Portland	Aug 29, East Bay Sep 12, Denver Sep 26, Washington, DC Oct 3, Salt Lake City Oct 10, San Antonio Jan 24, Los Angeles Feb 7, Phoenix Feb 21, Dallas Mar 14, Houston * Championship Race Nov.14 2009 Las Vegas, NV Grand Prize $12,345.67
Competitors ready for the adventure at the end of the world
By Nathanael Noiraud March/17/2009 There is now just one month to go before 60 of the worlds toughest athletes line up to face each other and Mother Nature in the official adventure at the end of the world� the 2009 Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race. Between 10^th and 21st February 2009 teams from USA Canada Germany Croatia Israel Spain France Brazil Argentina and Chile will traverse some of the most remote lands on Earth between the Southern Continental Ice Field and the end of the American continent at the Cross of the Seas. Their 600km odyssey will include mountain biking trekking rope work kayaking and orienteering and the winners are expected to cross the finish line after approximately seven days. The Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race is organized by Nomadas Outdoor Services and is supported by the Chilean Olympic Committee.� It is the only adventure race in the world recognized by a national Olympic Committee. The race is run annually both to provide a unique expedition adventure for participants and raise awareness of the need to protect the very environment it crosses; the remote wilderness of Southern Patagonia. All funds raised beyond the cost of organizing the event are directed to environmental protection projects in the region. Stjepan Pavicic Race Director said �Since 2002 we have focused on creating an event that not only presents a physical and mental challenge but also a message: we must preserve this remote and pristine region of Chilean Patagonia. Today with our title sponsor Wenger we are brining this message to the world. Key information about the Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race Background to the event Race Director and Geologist Stjepan Pavicic first had the idea of organizing a race through Chilean Patagonia in 1984.� In 2002 he began planning the first edition which took place in February 2004. In December 2008 Wenger maker of the genuine Swiss Army knife and precision outdoor equipment became the races first title sponsor. Today�s Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race is an action packed adventure race located in the southern-most region of the world.� Each year 60 athletes in mixed teams of four compete in crossing the most rugged geographic and climatically diversified terrain ever known to expedition racing. Each edition means a different route through a geographically unique and spectacular area between southern latitudes 49 degree and 56 degree. This terrain is full of worldwide wonders such as the Southern Continental Ice Field the Torres del Paine National Park the Strait of Magellan Tierra del Fuego the Darwin Range the Beagle Channel and Cape Horn. The Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race is an annual event run each year in February. It is supported by corporate sponsorship the Southern Patagonia Regions Board of Tourism and the Chilean Government. Teams and competitors A maximum of 15 mixed (at least one man and one woman) teams of four are allowed to enter each year.� Race organisers Nomadas Outdoor Services believe this number maximizes the positive competitive spirit of the race while minimizing its ecological impact. Teams are asked to pay an entry fee as a symbolic indication of their commitment to the competition.� 100% of net proceeds from running the event are directed to conservation projects in the Southern Patagonia area.� The 2008 event was won by French team �Authentic Nutrition� which completed the race in a total time of 6 days 2 hours and 42 minutes.� It was the third time a French team has won the race.�� The environment The events primary objective is to educate a worldwide audience about the need to preserve isolated and virgin territories. It raises public interest in nature and supports the development of sustainable tourism which is vital to achieve protection of these areas and avoid the exploitation of natural resources by non-sustainable industrial activities. The event is organized along the Leave No Trace principles (www.lnt.org) in minimizing its own impact on the terrain. Leave No Trace staff are on-hand to address the racers at the pre-race briefing as well as monitoring environmentally correct behavior during the event assuring minimal ecological impact.
Friends of Proud Lake
by Wendy Wawrzyniak Parks & Recreation Ranger A Proud Lake Recreation Area 4/23/08 A Friends Group is a volunteer organization established to assist the Michigan Department of Natural Resources in preserving and protecting the natural cultural and historical features of the Park. The Friends also aid in providing educational and recreational opportunities for Park visitors. The Friends Group is a compilation of visitors and user groups - not one person. There has been misinformation recently distributed in regards to the disbandment of the Proud Lake Friends Group as well as improprieties of the Proud Lake Staff. A disgruntled former Friend sent out this information. The facts are that the Proud Lake Friends Group is alive and active Proud Lake Staff has always acted professionally with the policy and procedures set forth by the DNR and in the best interest of the Parks natural resources and user interests. Paperwork is currently being completed (and will be filed within a week) to make the Friends of Proud Lake a registered not-for-profit organization. A new Friends website is posted at FriendsOfProudLake.org. The Proud Lake Friends Group is comprised of many good-hearted people. We have enjoyed the fellowship of those who have participated in previous Group activities. We appreciate your positive participation and contributions and look forward to future events the growth of the Group and the positive experiences in the Park. The Tuesday Evening Hikes will continue on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month. Additional activities are being planned and will be posted on the website as well as emailed to the group list. We thank you for your support and encourage your continued participation in the Friends Group at Proud Lake.
Adventure Training Courses Available
by SMAC SMAC is offering a new support for our members - on-line training courses. The concept is that members can utilize these courses at their convenience and can share their review of the course with the -rest of the membership within the clubs online forum. Users are encouraged to share their thoughts on route choice and the time it took them to complete the course. The courses are designed to be completed in a few hours and include one or more disciplines utilizing orienteering control descriptions for the check point locations. We provided detailed 1:24000 maps that can be downloaded as .pdf files and printed on 8.5x11 inch paper. Although the maps are pre-marked we have provided UTM coordinates for reference. The locations are all major land features so you will know when you have located the check points. If you have a favorite training course that you would like to share with the membership please contact Paul and we will try to get it posted. Click Here to see the On-line training courses
SMAC Stickers Are Available
Thanks to the Southern Michigan Adventure Club SMAC stickers are FREE for the asking. Stick them on AR gear and continue training and racing and be an overall good SMAC Ambassador. Click Here for your SMAC sticker
Dont Block SMAC E-Mails by Mistake!
Those of you using spam blockers make sure you add paul@smacworld.com & smac@smacworld to your whiteboard or friends lists. This will make sure you always get the latest adventure racing news from the club. We wouldnt want you to miss it!
Get Inside the Suunto Insider Training World & Outdoor Community
� By SMAC Latest developments you ask? Not only will Suunto Insider keep you in the know but subscribers can tailor the e-newsletter to the sport / activity you perform -> sailing diving snow sports urban training and cross sports. Expect to receive tips from fellow Suunto users and learn about their experiences with these fabulously engineered products. Maybe you have a Suunto story to share? If you received the latest e-newsletter you would have learned that Suuntosport.com is being supplemented with Suunto Training World were you will find the Suunto Worlds Discussion forum home of the SMAC t6 Test Pilots Forum. In addition check out Suunto Outdoor Community This is the place to meet Suunto Outdoor Ambassadors as well as to learn all about Suunto Events and Outdoor Partners around the world. Here you can also find the latest news of Suunto Outdoor.