Ryan FinleyThe Bluffton Mound Twelve Points Adventure Challenge is a free mock adventure race for teams of any size or composition. Teams will have to navigate by map and compass to checkpoints in wilderness and rural areas while either on foot, paddling a canoe/kayak or riding a bicycle.
The Bluffton Mound Twelve Points Adventure Challenge begins Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at the START/FINISH/TRANSITION: Bluffton Recreation Area of the Lake George State Forest, St Johns River Road, Astor, Florida 32102 (UTM NAD83 17R 451033E, 3222000N).
Check–in: 0600
Briefing: 0630
Start: 0700
Finish: 1900
There are NO MANDATORY CHECKPOINTS and teams can complete any part of (or) the entire Bluffton Mound Twelve Points Adventure Challenge. Teams can proceed through the 30 km Paddle Segment and simultaneous 10 km Trek Segment or the 90 km Bike Segment in any order and obtain the 4 checkpoints within the segment in any sequence.
A short Trek Segment (< 3 km) dovetails with each of the 4 Paddle Segment checkpoints and each of the 4 Trek Segment checkpoints can have up to 3 components. The 4 Bike Segment checkpoints are scattered across the most scenic asphalt and hard packed lime rock roads in the area.
Teams must TRAVEL BY THE MEANS SPECIFIED for a segment and shall REMAIN IN CLOSE PROXIMITY with one another while traveling within a segment. Each segment can be completed in approximately 4 hours (12 hours for the entire Bluffton Mound Twelve Points Adventure Challenge). Teams cannot return to a previously completed segment. GPS–assisted navigation is discouraged except as a last resort or when rescue or self–rescue is necessary.
There is NO MANDATORY GEAR OR EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENT. Teams must provide everything (map case, pencil, pen, bug spray, food, water, lights, glow sticks, lighter, space blanket, emergency shelter, canoe/kayak, paddles, personal flotation devices, helmets, harnesses, bicycles, cordage, bike repair kit, whistle, first aid kit, compass, UTM tool, pack, clothing, shoes, gloves, knife, cell phone, watch, GPS receiver, batteries, etc.) necessary to safely negotiate the Bluffton Mound Twelve Points Adventure Challenge.
Teams can secure vehicles, tools, gear, equipment, boats, bikes, food, water and various other supplies at the Start/Finish/Transition and return as often as they like. Water and restrooms are available at the Start/Finish/Transition.
Teams will receive the instructions for their choice of either the 30 km Paddle Segment and simultaneous 10 km Trek Segment or 90 km Bike Segment at check–in. After completing the first segment and returning to the Start/Finish/Transition, teams will receive the instructions for their second segment choice. The instructions for each segment are similar to a multiple choice exam and consists of a question with several possible answers that can be resolved after locating the prominent landmark, topographical feature or unique object found at the corresponding checkpoint.
TEAMS WILL HAVE TO:
PROVIDE THEIR OWN TOPO MAPS
PLOT CHECKPOINTS WITH UTM COORDINATES
An un–plotted, full–color, 24 x 36 inch, 1:24,000–scale topographic map of the NORTH SEGMENT of the Bluffton Mound Twelve Points Adventure Challenge printed on waterproof paper is available from MyTopo for $16.95.
An un–plotted, full–color, 24 x 36 inch, 1:24,000–scale topographic map of the SOUTH SEGMENT of the Bluffton Mound Twelve Points Adventure Challenge printed on waterproof paper is available from MyTopo for $16.95.
THE FOLLOWING ARE OTHER USEFUL RESOURCES:
Lake George WMA Map
Lake Woodruff NWR Map
Lake George State Forest Map
Dexter/Mary Farms Unit, Lake George WMA Map
Final team ranking for the Bluffton Mound Twelve Points Adventure Challenge will be based on Total Accumulated Points. Cumulative time on course will be used as a tiebreaker. Teams will be assessed a ONE POINT PENALTY (–1) for every 15 minutes they remain on the course beyond 1900, Tuesday, February 23, 2021.
Teams can DOUBLE their Total Accumulated Points by correctly completing any segment, TRIPLE their Total Accumulated Points by correctly completing any two segments and QUADRUPLE their Total Accumulated Points by correctly completing all three segments. Bonus multiples will be applied to a team’s Total Accumulated Points prior to any penalty assessment.
CAMPING IS AVAILABLE:
River Road Campground, Lake George State Forest
TO REDUCE THE SPREAD OF CONTAGION WE USE
AND RESPECT THE FOLLOWING GUIDELINES:
KEEP YOUR DISTANCE (2 meters)
AVOID CROWDED PLACES AND CONFINED SPACES (stay outdoors)
PRACTICE GOOD HYGIENE (wash up)
USE A FACE COVERING WHEN AROUND OTHERS
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Send a Direct Message with a response to the following questions:
1) Click here for the official Facebook event
2) Describe your paddling, trekking and biking abilities. Which do you like the most? Which do you like the least? Why?
3) Describe your ability to navigate wilderness and rural areas using a map and compass. Have you done it before? When?
4) How did you learn of this event?
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