Badwater Forum

Did the Park Service give you a reason that we cannot start in a large group like last year?  I thought we were well behaved and very respectful of the desert last year.  What a shame.  Thank you anyway for all your efforts.  Maybe next year will be different.

I think from a safety standpoint it's wise to go out with one other runner rather than alone, even if we can't congregate as a group.  My plans have changed and I am now crewing Scott Weber at the Big Race which takes place July 14-16 and plan to do my solo right after the BWUM so as to avoid going home and then back to Death Valley again.

For those doing solos, please email me offlist if you are interested in doing your solo a few days after the BWUM.  I'm considering July 18 or 19 as the starting date. 

If I get no interest in this, my second choice is August 3rd.   

So, those interested in a July 18 or 19 or August 3 starting date, please email me offlist ASAP so I can make flight and lodging arrangements.

Thanks,

Connie Karras
badwaterbound@sbcglobal.net
219-306-9392

If at all possible, you need to avoid congregating in large groups that make you appear to be an organized event. I really don't know what happens if three or four runners and their crews honestly choose to start at the same time on the same day. But we need to be sensitive that this issue is a problem for the Park Service. Our hopes of continuing our running there depend on following their rules as best we can. And while I'm on that subject, please do your best to take care of the desert as we run through. We want it to be just as unspoiled for next year's runners.

Marcia

Hey all,

I'm still planning on August 3, as it's the only time for my family and other crew.  Of course, it's subject to change, albeit not likely.

Marcia, thanks for the info. and the heads up on the park service opinion.  We will be respectful and we will document the run for the buckle.

Donn Zea

Donn,

If I don't get anyone interested in a July 18 or 19 start date, I'd be interested in starting August 3 with you.  I'll shoot you an email offline so we can be in touch about this..

Marcia...just like Donn says, I have every intention of being as respectful as I and my crew were last year of DV, Mt. Whitney and the surrounding areas.   I don't want to make trouble and congregate in the least, so if several of us start on August 3, I'm sure we can arrange amongst ourselves to stagger our starting times so that we don't appear to be congregating, and I will make it a point to stop by the Park Service office when getting my crew's vehicle permits to let the Park Service know this.

Thanks again for your efforts.  My best to John.  Hope our paths cross out there.

Connie Karras
http://www.active.com/donate/trekkingformax
http://www.run100forcharity.info

I'm still planning on August 3, as it's the only time for my family and other crew.  Of course, it's subject to change, albeit not likely.

Marcia, thanks for the info. and the heads up on the park service opinion.  We will be respectful and we will document the run for the buckle.

Donn Zea

I see.  Thanks for the explanation, Marcia.

Well, if it's the start they're concerned with, then we'll give them nothing to be concerned about and not start in a group.

:)

Happy Trails,

Connie

http://www.active.com/donate/trekkingformax
http://www.run100forcharity.info

"A special-use permit is required for activities that provide a benefit to an individual, group, or organization, rather than the public at large, and that require some degree of management from the National Park Service in order to protect park resources and the public interest."

Until we hear otherwise, their interpretation of this policy is that our activity falls under this category. At the very least, they feel that our group start is an activity that requires "some degree of management." In simplest terms, it means that they feel like they have to send a ranger out to monitor the start. The park is NOT opposed to us running out there. They just want us to apply for this permit. And the permit is something that we're not prepared to deal with at this point.

I am curious, though, why you feel we're not ready to apply for the permit?

Do you feel it will be too time consuming to deal with the logistics necessary to do what we have to do if we receive a permit?

Connie

The park is NOT opposed to us running out there. They just want us to apply for this permit. And the permit is something that we're not prepared to deal with at this point.