Cutting switchbacks is not allowed. Littering is not tolerated. While we realize you may inadvertently drop something from your pack, please be very careful. It is incumbent on all of us to be respectful stewards of the trail.
If you are close to the cutoffs coming into an aid station, we will be utilizing the following protocol to help you manage your time.
30 minutes----3 short blasts on air horn
20 minutes----2 short blasts on air horn
10 minutes----1 short blast on air horn
5 minutes----Verbal warning to all those still in the aid station
Aid station closed----one long blast on air horn
You must leave the aid station before the cutoff.
If for whatever reason you decide to drop from the race, please be sure you have your wristband cut off by an aid station captain. If you are unaccounted for we will attempt to contact you and/or your emergency contact. If we are not successful in these attempts, we will need to contact Search and Rescue. So it is imperative that we get your wristband if you have to call it a day.
Checking in at aid stations
We are using two unique timing systems this year. At each aid station volunteers will record your split time which is then uploaded to our tracking database at ultralive.net. Some aid stations will have wands that will read your chip and send your split via satellites. Please be patient as these are new for our volunteers this year. These are the same devices used at UTMB and other races in Europe. There are also a couple aid stations that have timing mats. Finally, as backup we will manually record your bib number so please make sure it is visible as you come into and leave the aid stations.
River Crossing
With a low snowpack, we will be crossing the American River at mile 78 via a cable strung across the width of the river with volunteers standing in the water to help you get across. This is often one of the highlights of the race. The water levels are controlled by an upstream dam. There is a pillow of water released early in the morning for rafting. Unless you are at the very front of the race, the water shouldn't be deeper than waist level. If you are a frontrunner it may be a little deeper as the water will continue to drop. Please follow the directions of the volunteers and hold onto the rope!