Revamped Elk Mountains Grand Traverse draws racers

Forget to sign up?

Chances are if you’re reading this and have not signed up for the 15th Annual Gore-Tex Elk Mountains Grand Traverse presented by Outdoor Research and Dynafit, you’re probably too late.
The Grand Traverse is an extraordinary 40-mile backcountry ski race between Crested Butte and Aspen. Starting at midnight from Crested Butte, often in sub-zero temperatures, racers traverse Colorado’s spectacular Elk Mountains.
The course is based on the mail routes of the 1880s, connecting the two towns. In this extreme endurance event, racers will climb more than 7,800 vertical feet and navigate in a self-supported backcountry race that tests them physically and mentally.
To maintain safety in the backcountry, racers compete in teams of two and carry mandatory gear. Held annually since 1998, the race has earned a reputation as a true test of toughness for elite local, national and international athletes.
Online registration for the 2012 race was Thursday, December 1 at 7 a.m. and in years past, the race filled up in around 30 minutes.
Rumors of a noon sign-up circulated, but race organizers decided against it to stay consistent with the sign-up procedure from the past.
Race co-director Bryan Wickenhauser explains that with a litany of improvements and changes planned for this year’s race, they wanted to keep registration the same.
“People are just entrenched with the 7 a.m. sign-up,” says Wickenhauser.
One of the changes that may cause some ire among perennial participants is a cost increase.
This year, the sign-up and registration fee for each team is $400; last year it was $300.
Wickenhauser assures that while there is an increase, it will pay off in the end.
“The goal is to enhance what we already know and love about the race,” says Wickenhauser. “Make it a better experience.”
For instance, there will be a substantial increase in prizes for finishers this year.
With Gore-Tex as the premier sponsor and Dynafit and Outdoor Research (OR) on board as hard goods and soft goods sponsors, Wickenhauser and the race committee will be able to dole out some goods at the finish line.
“We’ll be able to give out prizes to lots of different categories,” says Wickenhauser. “Age class winners, middle of the pack finishers. It will be more of an Al Johnson feel where people will walk away with something from the day.”
In addition, race organizers will host a two-day registration and expo prior to the start of the race at midnight on Friday, March 30.
Teams will have both Thursday and Friday to go through the gear check as race organizers hope to alleviate the stress-fest of the day-of-race gear check.
“Friday can be a lot more chill,” says Wickenhauser. “If you get stuff done on Thursday then you don’t have to show up on Friday until the pasta feed.”
Furthermore, both Dynafit and OR will have their products available for demo at the base area and racers can take part in a “skin with the pros” Thursday, March 29 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. The tour will follow the section of course on Crested Butte Mountain Resort and give competitors a chance to do some final tweaks to their set-up with the help of experienced Grand Traverse racers.
Race organizers will then host a film festival Thursday evening, free to all racers and open to the public for a nominal fee.
Finally, all racers will wear Spot Trackers for the first time. The benefit of Spot Trackers is two-fold.
First off, friends and family can follow the teams online during the race.
“People can have their own personal experience with the race from home following their brother, sister, father or kid doing the race,” explains Wickenhauser.
Secondly, it adds an additional safety element for organizers during the event.
“It’s one more tool in the toolbox to accurately track teams and find lost teams quicker,” says Wickenhauser. “We’ll know where they are for sure.”
This year the cap of teams has been increased to 150 so there may still be a chance you can get in—go to www.elkmountainstraverse.com to check in.
If you get shut out, there’s always a chance some teams and/or partners drop out between now and the start of the race. Follow the ongoing discussion and look for openings on the Elk Mountains Grand Traverse Facebook page.