You should have received the below info in an e-mail. If for some reason you did not, here it is again:
The first order of business is T-shirts. In a couple weeks, I will be ordering the t-shirts. To find out more about the t-shirts, check out this thread on the message board:
http://www.ecxc.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=281. If you are interested in a t-shirt, please be sure to post in that thread how many you want and what sizes. The sizes available are Adult Small to XXXXL. Final price of the shirts will be determined by the number of shirts ordered. Expect to pay anywhere from $12 - $15 per shirt. 3XL + 4XL will probably be a dollar or two more.
The second issue is Paragon. You may or may not be aware that Paragon has opened up a new location. Since we have not been to this new park, we are going to stick with Rausch Creek for the location. There is too little info available about this location and the info that is available makes it seem it is not quite ready for use for an event like ECXC. However, if you want to try the new park, you are welcome to do so. You will need to find 9 other like minded folks to join you, as the park requires a 10 truck minimum and reservations. The park will also be providing guides as the park is not well marked as of yet. You will be on your own if you go to Paragon. There will be no ECXC staff assigned to this location to coordinate things there. If there are 10 or more folks available, we will contact Paragon to make the necessary reservations. I do not know the price to wheel, but since it includes a guide, I'd expect it to be at least the same $35.
The third and hottest topic is trail assignments. In order to insure everyone has the best time possible at ECXC, we group drivers into groups that they are most comfortable wheeling in. So that a completely stock truck doesn't get stuck in a group heading to Advanced level trails, we get as much driver input as possible about what trails you want to wheel.
This year we are doing things a little bit different, which should make things a little easier for us. In the Member's Only section of the web site (
http://www.ecxc.com/members/) there is a link for Forms & Documents. We have added one for drivers to enter their vehicle information, along with their desired trail selection. This way, if you are unsure which trails you think you can handle, we can examine this form and place you where we think you will be best suited.
Aside from your vehicle info, the form requires 2 forms of ID, your Driver ID and the email address you used to sign up for ECXC. Your Driver ID can be found by logging into the message board and clicking on the Profile link at the top of the message board, in the long list of links at the right, underneath the main ECXC navigation links. The Truck Info form will tell you whether or not the e-mail account you are using is the correct one. If you are not using the correct email address, e-mail me and I will dig it up for you. Will Broadus (aka Pheonix) will be taking the lead in setting up the trail assignments, so you may receive an e-mail from him if he has any questions. If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me or Will. If you don't know your email address, do not email Will. To protect your privacy, I am the only person with that info. IF YOUR DRIVER ID is not listed on the Profile page, please email me so I can correct that.
If you've been to ECXC before, you probably are familiar with the trail descriptions. If you haven't been to ECXC before, the trail descriptions are listed below. I don't want to scare anyone, but I also don't want to give people a false sense of security. There is a chance that anyone can do damage to their vehicle. If you drive smartly and listen to your spotter, you will minimize the chance of damage.
Also and this is very, very important, when you fill out the Truck Info form, please be sure to list which days you will be wheeling and which days you want to wheel which level. If you don't, expect to be made fun of by Will and I for not following directions. I don't know about Will, but I'll definitely give you a hard time!
Your decision is NOT set in stone. If you decide after the first day that Advanced is harder than you thought, then the next day we'll drop you back to something you think you'll be more comfortable with. The Truck Info form will aid us in determining whether or not you belong in a group. For instance, if you have a bone stock truck and tell us that you want to run Advanced trails, Will or I will politely tell you to wake up. Or if we know you, we'll probably smack you upside the head.
Once you are assigned to a group and that group leaves the staging area, you will be in that group for the rest of the day. Unless you get lucky and meet up with another group that is willing to take you on board, you will either have to leave the park or park your truck and ride with someone else.
Alright, on with the descriptions:
Rausch Creek rates their trails in 4 different color groups Green, Blue, Black and Red. They do not differentiate between easy Greens and harder greens although they do have easier greens and harder greens, easier blues and harder blues and so on. Rausch Creek uses only numbers and letters for their trails. Some of the obstacles have been given names.
Stock trails - Stock trails range in difficulty from flat dirt roads to slightly off-camber and rocky trails. Stock trails are best suited for unexperienced wheelers and bone stock vehicles. Threat of vehicle damage is non-existant as long as you drive responsibly, however brush scratches are possible. Stock Trails include easier green trails.
Intermediate Trails - Intermediate trails offer more of a challenge for slightly modified vehicles. Trails will be rockier, may have more off camber situations and may include rocky creek crossings. Bone stock vehicles can handle most of these trails, but without skid plates and rock sliders, both undercarriage damage and rocker panel damage should be expected. The threat of damage on these trails is minimal, but should not be unexpected. Careless or unattentive driving will result in body damage. Harder Green trails and easier Blue Trails at Rausch Creek would be taken in this group.
Advanced Trails - Advanced trails are rocky, tight and off-camber. Most of these trails should only be attempted with a 32" tire or larger unless full protection of the undercarriage and rocker panels are available (or you just don't care about your truck). Any vehicle with smaller than 32" tires will spend a good part of the day at the end of a tow strap or winch (bring your own winch bitch). These trails require attentive driving and concentration. The threat of damage and breakage is possible, but careful and responsible driving should greatly reduce the threat to minimal. If you do not want damage, don't take these trails because it is possible. Blue trails and easier Black trails (depending on group make-up) make up this group.
Hardcore Trails - Hardcore trails are just that, hardcore. They are tough. They require 33" tires at a minimum, at least 1 locker, a winch and full protection. As well as a carefree attitude towards damage and breakage and the ability and supplies to repair any breakage. Both should be expected although careful and responsible driving should reduce the threat. These trails include very large rocks, very off-camber sections and are usually tight to make them that much harder. Black trails and Red Obstacles will be taken in this group.
Thank you!
-Michael
Michael Girardo
Organizer, ECXC
swampwrecker@ecxc.comhttp://www.ecxc.com
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