TDR 2012

[DenisVTT]

I will use Garmin Vista Hcx but only as backup, hope to have to use it only for several minutes a day ( but who knows) ... the tracks I will manually trim down if there is enough time during next weeks, and split them.

Does anybody know how long the Spot2 will run ( in hours) on lithium batteries?

With the Track Progress feature activated, it's around 6 to 7 days. The problem is that those lithium batteries are not always easy to find. Not every convenience store carries them. The device won't really work with regular batteries.

[Georg66]

So it's a good advice to carry one pair extra lithiums for the spot.

And you turn it off while resting or sleeping, and not forget to turn it on ... :-))

[DenisVTT]

Is anyone using a Garmin Edge 800 for their navigation? I've been having some problems uploading the Way points file and would like to chat with someone who has loaded them successfully. Please contact me off list at chris [at] lpcb.org. Thanks!

Chris, you may want to take a look at this:

http://topofusion.com/tutorials/uploading-tracks-edge-800.php

[DenisVTT]

So it's a good advice to carry one pair extra lithiums for the spot.

And you turn it off while resting or sleeping, and not forget to turn it on ... :-))

Yes. And the 6 to 7 days I mentioned is when you turn it off for at least a few hours at night. If you don't, it will likely be fewer days.

[DenisVTT]

Yes. And the 6 to 7 days I mentioned is when you turn it off for at least a few hours at night. If you don't, it will likely be fewer days.

By the way, battery life also varies depending on the cloud cover. Spot says the batteries won't last more than 3 days if the sky is 50% covered, although that may have been for a previous version of the Spot (the article is dated 2009). My experience was around 6 days, but I ran out once and couldn't find a lithium battery through 2 or 3 small towns.

http://faq.findmespot.com/index.php?action=showEntry&data=1239

[DocTrike]

Hi everyone,

I am just checking in after hearing from Matt today. I am still planning on racing but having passport issues.  I need to get a Spot next week which one do you all suggest? Sounds like I need extra batteries with me as well.

New trike is still in Taiwan being built so will ride something different, but it will still be a trike. Don't have enough time to acclimate myself to a two wheeler. Lots top do next week getting all my gear and sorted to a new trike.

[BobM]

Hi everyone,

I am just checking in after hearing from Matt today. I am still planning on racing but having passport issues.  I need to get a Spot next week which one do you all suggest? Sounds like I need extra batteries with me as well.

New trike is still in Taiwan being built so will ride something different, but it will still be a trike. Don't have enough time to acclimate myself to a two wheeler. Lots top do next week getting all my gear and sorted to a new trike.

If you're buying one you may as well get the new Spot although it eats batteries.  I have the old Spot and batteries in that one will last close to a month.  The new Spot has a few extra features, though, like an extra message button, protection for the 911 button, and the ability to link up with a cell phone to send text messages (I know nothing about this feature).

[DocTrike]

@BoBM Thanks I saw that one on website looked like a good way to go with the cell link.

[woody]

@BoBM Thanks I saw that one on website looked like a good way to go with the cell link.

If you buy one you will need two different services; one being the $100.00 basic and the "Unlimited Track Progress" for another 50 bucks both are good for a year.
I've heard in years past Trackleaders rented them, but not sure if they are for this years TD.

Woody

[DocTrike]

@Woody I will check with trackleaders than.

If I can't get the passport situation resolved, I may have to meet everyone at the GDR start in Rooseville.

[Beardog]

FYI- I used the spot 2 last year on TDR and ran out batteries after 3-4 days -got into Lima with a dead spot and no lithiums available at lone store there-ued nonlithiums (duh-read the back panel) and it fried-after 3 days got to somewhere with lithiums (Driggs I think) and it did not revive. Got new spot 2 from a nobounder who dropped in steamboat and it lasted only until Seargants where it fried I think because I put it next to a smart phone I found up on Marshll Pass, then I gave up completely on tracking and just rode in on call ins (the old fashion way). During AZT 750 last month my spot 2 needed batteries every 2-2.5 days and I turned it off each night while I slept 4 to 7 hours. I would not count on getting more than 3 days with spot 2- same with Etrex if you leave it on all the time--if you only check it now and then (quite possible on TDR route) you can go 4-6 days on one set of batteries. Lithiums have not made it to small town america yet.

Per Matt the number is around 105 for the start - the park likes us to keep the roll out at 50 so it should be interesting-see you all there-and pray for rain as fires are burning down south already- last year riding the abique section was not fun during the los alamos fire once up on the plateau with ash so thick you could not see beyond about 30 feet

[Foster]

I use the original spot and my lithium batteries last me over 10 days with tracking on.  Anyone else noticed that the SPOT 2 dies out quicker?

[candrus]

I have cues for the Gold Dust Trail but they are written from north to south.  Does anyone know how to find the south end of the trail starting from Como?  Also, is the trail mostly a walk going from south to north?

[sherpaxc]

I have the original Spot.  Battery lasts a good long time and I've never had an issue with it. 

[robinb]

I have cues for the Gold Dust Trail but they are written from north to south.

The TD website does not list this as a required alternate, but reading back in this thread it seems the Gold Dust Trail is to be incorporated into the route going forward from 2011.  Where does one get these cues?

Also, on the subject of cues/narratives can anyone tell me using the 2012 narratives ( I haven't recieved my maps as of yet) where the CDT alternate leaves the main route?  The narratives state where it rejoins, but not where it leaves.  

robin

[BobM]

The TD website does not list this as a required alternate, but reading back in this thread it seems the Gold Dust Trail is to be incorporated into the route going forward from 2011.  Where does one get these cues?

Also, on the subject of cues/narratives can anyone tell me using the 2012 narratives ( I haven't recieved my maps as of yet) where the CDT alternate leaves the main route?  The narratives state where it rejoins, but not where it leaves. 

robin

Unless I hear otherwise from Matthew or the Rules get changed I will assume that the Gold Dust is not required.

I'm re-working my cue sheets right now.  The CDT alternate should be starting at mile 151.2 - Road to Sapillo Campground.

[Beardog]

The gold dust trail is supposed to be mandatory starting this year-besides it is a very fun trail to ride instead of the road t Como

[Beardog]

you can get the cues from the ACA website for like $5 they e mail the to you- download and modify as needed get them at
-pretty simple have ridden some or modified last 2 years-also nice diversion when the going gets tough

http://www.adventurecycling.org/store/index.cfm/product/566/great-divide-mountain-bike-route-narratives.cfm

[woody]

I have cues for the Gold Dust Trail but they are written from north to south.  Does anyone know how to find the south end of the trail starting from Como?  Also, is the trail mostly a walk going from south to north?

I found this website and has how to find the trail from Como, but it's still pretty vague.
There will be more walking (maybe pushing fits better) going from Como (south to north)

If you copy the whole below link and paste it into a browser it will pull up with the description
 
http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c4/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gDfxMDT8MwRydLA1cj72BTJw8jAwjQL8h2VAQAzHJMsQ!!/?ss=110212&ttype=recarea&recid=12832&actid=24&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&position=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&navid=110290000000000&pnavid=110000000000000&cid=null&pname=South+Park+Ranger+District+-+Gold+Dust+Trail



Woody

[candrus]

Thanks Woody.  I think that will be enough description to find the lower end of the trail.  Interesting history.