I heard that the Driftwood Motel at Cedar Island has closed. Are there any changes planned for the start/finish of the NC Challenge?
NC Challenge
(27 posts) (12 voices)-
We will be starting and finishing the BBC and the NCC at Don Lee Camp and Retreat on the north side of the Neuse River. I will be updating the event info and tracking map soon.
Many thanks to the SandyBottom folks for recommending this location. I scouted Don Lee on the way home from the OkoumeFest events. They have a very nice facility with a great location. Cabins with bunks will hold hundreds of WaterTribers and their families. Nice showers and rest rooms too.
They have a swimming pond which will be the location for the Skills Assessment for classes 1, 2, and 3. Classes 4 and 5 Skill Assessments will be in the Neuse River right in front of the Don Lee camp.
The launch beach and boat ramp should work out just fine for any WaterTribe boat although it is not as long as the Cedar Island beach.
The new date of mid October should provide some nice weather and few bugs, but be sure to bring your warm stuff.
Don Lee is a No Smoking and No Alcohol zone. They will be happy to provide a bus into Oriental if you want to party a bit. No offense intended to WaterTribe smokers and those who like an adult beverage.
Remember that these two events will qualify you for the Ultimate Florida Challenge 2016. They are also part of the Trifecta. Signup early and commit. Practice your skills. The Derby for these events will start on Monday the 25th, and I am adding a new set of points for practicing your recovery skills.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Intrepid
MemberChief, just 21 hours ago you wrote, "We won't be doing Skill Assessments at WaterTribe events. I've decided that you all can do that on your own. The minimum skills will still be listed on the web site and you will have to certify that you have practiced those skills as part of the registration process."
This CANNOT be this complicated. Skills Assessment will be done or it won't. If it won't, it won't. If it will, it will and I assume we will learn what that moving target means. We have to muster all our mental resources during the events; we shouldn't have to do it when reading your posts.
Clarify, please.
Posted 7 years ago # -
BeastOarman
MemberPatience. I think there are a lot of opinions on what should be done, and Chief is trying to take it all into account and make the best decision for the tribe. It is not black and white, so we will see where things stand when the next challenge gets closer. And depending how that goes, the challenge after that may be different yet, until we get it just right.
It must be hard for Chief to get all gung-ho about stepping up skills assessment, when no one will even turn out for training.Posted 7 years ago # -
DonKeyHoTey
MemberI'll miss Cedar Island and the motel -- sorta. But if getting to the starting beach is X% of a Challenge, it was 1.2X% for the NCC.. at least for this S Floridian. By knocking 45 minutes to an hour off that interminable slog, Don Lee's brings the pre-start (and post-finish) component back toward the norm. Time savings is probably even more when coming from the north. And now there's more excuse to visit funky Oriental at least by car. Hooray!
Interesting implications for the watery part of the Challenge. Folks will definitely be transiting the Harlowe in daylight, while still very fresh, and will most likely hit the Beaufort CP before dark, as well. But Core and particularly Pamlico Sounds just got darker and more "interesting" for those in a hurry.
Unless there's a rule change, Don Lee's also raises the possibility of avoiding Pamlico Sound altogether, by sneaking through one of the ditches that connects Core Sound to Long Bay, then Turnagain Bay, and thence the Neuse. Small/skinny/paddled craft will particularly benefit, and oar-pullers will too (at the potential expense of whacking the banks). And avoidance of Pamlico will reduce the super-gnarly factor that heavily impacted the last two NCCs.
I haven't carefully studied the Blackbeard course, so I'm uncertain how that event is affected.
Looking forward to more info/intel regarding these most beautiful and challenging NC events.
-DKHT
Posted 6 years ago # -
Correction: The CP at Beaufort is no more. The new NCC course has CP1 at Cedar Island where we used the boat ramp for an alternate launch last year.
And just to confirm, we will not be doing Skill Assessments at the events. Instead it is up to each Challenger to do their own skill assessments prior to entering these events - or for sure prior to payment. Although we are not going to do a skill assessment, we are going to be asking very pointed questions and very tough inspections.
What do I mean by tough? How is your kayak or boat packed? Where is your flotation and how is it fitted into the boat? Have you practiced exit and re-entry? Depending on answers we may also want to know if you have towing insurance linked to your SPOT. An so on.
Towing insurance will only be an issue for class 4 and 5 boats that are iffy for self recovery when capsized and/or turtled. If you have questions on this, please send me an email.
Also, see our upcoming Bootcamps: July 17-18 at Bill Jackson's and Fort Desoto. Here is a link: http://www.meetup.com/WaterTribe-Adventures/events/223218669/
Posted 6 years ago # -
seabag
MemberBeing new to the North Carolina Challenge, I am interested in charts.
My look at the NOAA chart catalog says that 11544 is a 1-80000 chart that covers the area.11545 is the 1:40 of the Core Sound section and part of 11541 of the intra coastal waterway could be useful.
Is this correct? Are there any private publishers like Maptech or Waterproof charts that have relevant charts?
Thanks
Posted 6 years ago # -
seabag wrote:
Being new to the North Carolina Challenge, I am interested in charts.
My look at the NOAA chart catalog says that 11544 is a 1-80000 chart that covers the area.11545 is the 1:40 of the Core Sound section and part of 11541 of the intra coastal waterway could be useful.
Is this correct? Are there any private publishers like Maptech or Waterproof charts that have relevant charts?
Thanks
Top Spot N239
Posted 6 years ago # -
Bermudaboy
MemberLawless might come down hard on me for this... But I typically just zoom up in Homeport then compare same area in GE, particularly bars & shoals, (or use chart overlays in GE prior) capture with screen copy in letter size ratio, color print out front and back of each page in sequence, mark anything noted from GE, and then laminate... and ring together in book. Typically end up with about 8-10 pages of close ups on portions think I might need info on... Think this is really good for me especially as always having problem seeing with my readers dirty, salty or smudged with spf 10,000.
Posted 6 years ago # -
BustedRudder
MemberI did the same for my first EC from NOAA downloadable charts adding GE info for those areas that change faster than the charts can keep up. Staples spiral bound it so I could just flip the page as progressing. One booklet per checkpoint so I would never lose the whole thing.
Try "HP Tough paper". Waterproof, no need to laminate.
I carry Top spots as well but in a kayak it is a pain to refold a large chart to the area you want.
You have studied the course better by making your booklet utilizing GE than those who just buy the charts and assume they are good.
Posted 6 years ago # -
seabag
MemberI was trained with charts many years ago and really need them for the big picture planning and for on the fly finger and hand based plotting. I may well do a flip book as I have in the past, for on the water use. So I appreciate the information. Macatawa, I really appreciate your video chart of the route. Lots and lots of sand, different from the rock and big tides here.
Posted 6 years ago # -
DonKeyHoTey
MemberAnd in some places, it's even worse than sand: just marsh grass. Hard to know where the "land" ends and the "water" begins, either on the chart, or visually.
Like you, Seabag, I need the paper chart for the big picture. And I've used the Topspot one as my primary navigation aid twice -- once intentionally and once of necessity. I'm thinking that for some of those waters, Edward Teach's chart had more info than that one (maybe even a big x for his hidden booty).
In last year's stormy, overcast NCC, shortly after launching around noon at the alternate start (the new CP1) on the west side of Cedar Island, I had a sudden, lengthy interruption in my float plan and lost sight of the folks I'd been chasing into West Bay at flank speed. I hadn't noted their relative bearing at the time. And when I was finally ready to carry on, I didn't have a functioning GPS: my Garmin was temporarily dead and my phone was now pickling in its pouch sealed with a yellow velcro whose ridiculously skinny tack-weld had just decided to fail (if you have one, chuck it -- they're defective).
So I deployed my chart: in that large, shallow, empty, little-used, completely unfamiliar Down East bay, there were virtually no landmarks, nav marks or other notable features -- either on the chart or on the horizon. Nor even any houses or other structures of familiar scale with which to gauge distance to the very swampy, topographically devoid shoreline on all sides. This made it very difficult to read the bay's true shape or size, even in broad daylight, and with the sun not visible due to heavy cloud cover, I even started to question my compass's accuracy...probably what it's like navigating on the moon. After literally zigging and zagging around the bay looking for some reference point, I finally spotted one of the few nav marks, got close enough to read its markings, found it on the chart, got my bearings again, and got on my way again.... WHEW.
It could be even more challenging in there at night -- particularly navigating with the chart -- unless the marks are lit and each has a unique flash, or there are some marked and visible radio towers on the chart... Better have your GPS close to hand and with fresh batteries! I'd also keep updating my position on the chart, to avoid having to figure it out "the old-fashioned way".
At least I didn't encounter any pound nets, gators, bears, or the ghost of Edward Teach in there ;)
DKHT
Posted 6 years ago # -
seabag
MemberSounds like a good place for the thumb rule...... if you can put your thumb on the chart and have some confidence that you are in that general area you are OK. I keep a grease pencil handy. Kind of like navigating in the fog. In Maine you can always turn north west and proceed until you hit something. We rely a lot on navigating off, catchers mitts and stair rails. And lobster trap buoys which keep you from having to stare at the compass by using them to set up ranges. In fog a legible gps and compass are a luxury; always position this stuff so you can wipe off the condensation.
Slightly different question: what are state rules about going ashore? If there is no house is it OK?
Thanks
seabag
Posted 6 years ago # -
Bermudaboy
MemberSB, if you're not already, I'd still recommend at least trying GE with free nautical charts transparent over-lays, during planning phases, it at least can let you figure out the best chart number covering the area you want and findin the one which covers the most... (before you part with $21 per chart)
DKHT, I almost got to camp with Anne & Bonnie off Brown island, til JustSurf came along and skuddled up the blossoming ambiance.
Posted 6 years ago # -
HeavilyLaden
MemberSorry, could have been more specific. Swan Island is on the west side of the Neuse. I would agree that there isn't too much on the eastern side. I did the BCC last year & plan on doing it again, but Swan Is. may be a little off route for anyone doing the NCC.
Posted 6 years ago # -
You really shouldn't have to camp on the Neuse. We have the house at CP1 and there is plenty of tent space at that site too. The straight line distance from CP1 to the NCC finish is about 24 nm. Push hard to CP1 and then rest up for a few hours for the final leg to the finish.
There is a Special Note in the Overview for the NCC concerning the intended Ultra Marathon pace for this challenge. It is a very tight but doable schedule, but you will have to push yourself. Of course we will allow some slippage if there is foul weather or other factors we have to take into account.
The BBC has more time allotted to each segment because it is not intended to be run at an Ultra Marathon pace due to the longer length of the challenge. Overall it will be more difficult, but you can take a bit more time for rest and recovery in each segment.
Posted 6 years ago # -
Bermudaboy
MemberChief, thinking CP1 would be first potential spot, but if wind conditions are good can imagine getting past that while still good day light (optimistic!).. I like to have a string of potential camp waypoints to bail out on, Anyway, the plannen and thinken is just a much fun as the racen. (and much, much better than the trainen!)
HL, knowing my navigating skills won't be suprised if I wound up running around Swan-Jima anyway...
Posted 6 years ago # -
Bermudaboy
MemberHere some camps considering as potentials on Neuse, look good in GE. Be eaiser to attach gpx file but dont' know on forum... Trolling for better ones! Wonder if Camp 1 far enough of way from falling munitions....
Neuse Camp1 N35.00155 W76.54386
Neuse Camp 2 N35.04071 W76.66341
Neuse Camp 3 N35.04066 W76.66275
Neuse Camp 4 N34.98129 W76.65865
Neuse Camp 5 N35.02785 W76.68124
Neuse Camp 6 N35.00585 W76.71081
Neuse Camp 7 N34.95622 W76.70013
Posted 6 years ago # -
Bermudaboy
MemberChief: Takes me little longer to read cuz that requires concentration and that I leave the underground weather wind forecast page. Went back & read the event description where says within 26.5 hrs, and the course is longer (guessing slower too) than last year, and 2014 only two KA not-stop entrants (Heros) made it under that.. in 2013 as far as I can tell no one did it in less than 29.5hrs... I'm not complainin, cuz this year my goal was to do in under 24hrs if the wind conditions were similarly good as last year by slacking off on roasing marshmellows & swatting mosquitos. But in general looking at the total fleet event results from last two years, doesn't seem that realistic of a schedule? Just wondering...
Posted 6 years ago # -
The schedule is the same as last year. You have 2 Days and 1.5 hours to make the official cutoff. Last year 14 boats made it before the deadline. One boat missed by less than an hour and one boat missed by a couple of hours. The last boat to finish took 2 days, 10 hours, and 14 minutes.
Note that the 3 boats who came in a bit late still officially finished. As long as you keep moving we will wait and check you in.
We will see how it goes.
Posted 6 years ago #
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