[NO NEW UPDATES] Expedition Dispatches: Desert Grand Slam with Dean Karnazes

March 2008

March 31, 2008

Atacama Crossing – Stage 2 of 6

Expedition_2008_desert04Race 1: Atacama Desert, Chile - Part of the challenge of this type of racing is adjusting to a format that is very different from traditional running. Let me explain.

First, you are required to carry everything that you need the entire time. The only thing the race provides is 4.8 liters of water every night. All of your food, clothing, medical supplies, etc… must be carried in a pack on your back. The pros have a distinct advantage because they know all of the tricks to getting the pack as light as possible. For instance, some of the packs on the first day weighed-in at under 15 lbs. (by comparison, my pack initially weighed close to thirty). Needless to say, I’ve learned a lot of the tricks of the trade in the past two days.

Next, you sleep in a tent with six other racers. This is great from a camaraderie standpoint, though it takes some getting used to. The quarters are tight, and you get awoken quite a bit throughout the night. I still haven’t gotten used to this element. In the past two nights I’ve slept about an hour and a half. And I’m not exaggerating (wish I were).

Of course, the other challenge is trying to learn how to pace yourself properly throughout the duration of the entire event. Going too strong one day can lead to dire consequences the next day, or even for the rest of the event.

These are just some of the types of tests a multi-day adventure running format, like 4Deserts, presents. As for the exploration element, however, you really can’t beat it!

Today was another difficult one. Plenty of climbing, river crossings, sand dunes, intense heat, and altitude. Got lost a couple times and was rescued by a terrific New Zealander, Joe Peterson, who spotted me wondering aimlessly through the sand dunes off in the distance. Suffered some intestinal issues (nothing I want to share with you all, but suffice it to say, it wasn’t pretty). Hopefully it’s just my digestive system adapting to dehydrated food every night and not something more serious. Time will tell.

The stage winner today was guy who has been educating me to no end on this type of racing, Rob James, so I was really pleased to see him win the Yellow Jersey. I think there will be plenty more in his future, too.

Okay, tonight I sleep (fingers crossed). - Dean Karnazes

Stage 2 - Part 1: Competitors going through water crossings.

Stage 2 - Part 2: The second half of the Atacama Crossing.

For more info about Dean's participation in the "4 Deserts", please visit www.4deserts.com and www.racingtheplanet.com.

- The North Face
March 30, 2008

Atacama Crossing - Stage 1 of 6

Expedition_2008_desert03Race 1: Atacama Desert, Chile - Today was amazing. We arrived yesterday afternoon at the starting camp and were promptly christened by a raging sandstorm. The camp was ravaged and sleeping pads and gear were swept up in the twister and carried off into the desert. It was so cold at night that I did not sleep a wink.

So why was today so amazing? The Atacama Desert shined in all her glory. The sunrise was glorious and the race course was absolutely spectacular, climbing over vast vistas and weaving through barren canyons that have not seen rain in years.

It got hot. Really hot, with no breeze whatsoever. My main goal was to finish before getting sunburned to a crisp. I was not expecting to win the stage. In fact, I did not even know that I had until I reached the finish line and they informed me. So tonight I have the honor of wearing the Yellow Jersey at camp (they give the Stage winner the yellow jersey, like the Tour de France). Not that I will showing it off, because I am heading straight to sleep. - Dean Karnazes

Stage 1 - Part 1: The Atacama Crossing (Chile) 2008 kicks off on March 30th.

Stage 1 - Part 2

Before arrival at the camp by San Bartolo.:

For more info about Dean's participation in the "4 Deserts", please visit www.4deserts.com and www.racingtheplanet.com.

- The North Face
March 28, 2008

Base Camp Atacama

Expedition_2008_desert01_2Race 1: Atacama Desert, Chile - After thirty-two hours of travel, I’ve arrived at the pre-Inca town of San Pedro de Atacama, population 967. Situated in northern Chile, overlooking the Licancabur volcano, the town’s elevation is 7,500’ above sea level. Yeah, I’m feeling it.

The jetlag and sleep deprivation, combined with the altitude and bone-dryness of the outside air, has me feeling like one of the mummies they have on display in the town’s museum. Apparently the complete lack of rainfall, extremely low humidity, and stillness of the air create perfect conditions for mummification. And, to think, we’re going to run here. Legs, please don’t fail me now!

I had the pleasure of meeting some of the other racers today. The combined list of accomplishments between the group reads like a Wikipedia page of the world’s most extreme events: multiple Marathon des Sables finishes, Race Across America (RAAM), Augrabies Extreme, Badwater Ultra, Mongolian Sunrise-to-Sunset, Ironman, Ultraman, Two Oceans Ultra, too many 100-milers to even list, and a host of completely psychotic sounding events that I’d never even heard of before (like the 6633 Extreme Ultra, a 352-mile self supported trek across the Arctic).

Tomorrow we attend a mandatory gear and medical check, and then head off into the desert to camp at the race start. Hopefully I’ll be able to get some sleep tonight, at this lower elevation. The race start is at 11,004’ above sea level. Lungs, please don’t fail me now!

Over-&-out from Northern Chile,
Dean

P.S. If anyone has some tips for dealing with altitude, do share. While I’ve tried many of them over the years, I’d love to tap into the collective brainpower of our online community for additional thoughts and ideas for everyone to see. If you’ve got a suggestion or two, fire away!

To track the racing live, click: Atacama Crossing

For more info about Dean's participation in the "4 Deserts", please visit www.4deserts.com and www.racingtheplanet.com.

Dean N. Karnazes Interview

- The North Face
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