Appalachian Crossing
more specific information
please read all 10 of these important points

1) This club event is for WVMTR members and will be limited to 18 runners.

2) This will be a four day run of 120 miles. We will only run during the day. The course will not be flagged.

3) The run is not competitive. There is no registration fee. However there will be costs such as camping and lodging, food and supplies, fuel and a way cool shirt. The cost will be $100 to cover these expenses. 

4) This run is not for first time ultra runners. You should have completed at least one ultra in the past year before attempting this event.  There will be full service aid stations at 10 mile intervals. Some map reading skills are necessary.

5) Runners must be part of a Team. The Team can be two or more runners of your choosing. Even though you are part of a "team", as stated in #3 this is not a competitive event.

6) The Team must stay together for the duration of the run. Therefore, it is probably smart to be of similar running ability, and maybe disposition. Teams will certainly group with other teams.  The idea is that no one is left alone.

7) If you are a two person Team and for whatever reason one must drop,  the remaining runner may hook up with another Team, but cannot go on alone. If all this sounds restrictive please understand that this run will be remote. It will be 10+ miles between aid and should you get temporarily off course it's always nice to have someone with you to blame it on.

8) 50/50 partners. This run could not be accomplished without help. It is no surprise that volunteers put in a very long day taking care of the runners. The idea of 50/50 partners helps somewhat with the aid situation. A pair can alternate days where one person would run days 1 and 3, and the other run 2 and 4. On the off days they would crew and work the aid stations. These runners must still need to comply with the Team rules above. 

9) Volunteer crews are the only way we will be able to do this run. They will meet us at the aid stations and at the end of the day at camping or lodging locations. Therefore each Team must have one volunteer to provide support at least part of the time. We will need a minimum of four volunteers and four vehicles per day. It is possible some volunteers will only be able to donate a day or two. So get to work on this crucial element.   

10) We will gather the night before the start at Lehmann's place in Helvetia. We will go over logistics and crew details. There will be a place to rest your head and prepare. It is a 30 minute drive to the start. 

If you would like to come along send your Team members and volunteer plan to Dan Lehmann

 

Each runner will receive map and guide with key points on the route noted. The map will be USGS 1"= 2000' scale. Landmarks and adequate notation for you to find your way will be marked on the map. Parts of the route may be difficult to follow. These sections will be discussed noted and discussed. Each evening you will receive the next days guide. I will also include coordinate data that can be loaded onto a GPS if you carry one. I would strongly recommend carrying an inexpensive compass. 

Spruce Knob is just north of the bare, brown spot near the center of this photo. To the west are the many forks of the Cheat River. To the east in the shadows is the North Fork of the S. Branch of the Potomac that runs at the base of Seneca Rocks. Then  a little further east is the wide brown Germany Valley  and then our favorite North Fork Mountain Trail, the long ridgeline on the far right.