That's right. This time next week we will be traveling the backcountry of Northern Georgia looking race checkpoints. The last official news is that the race will be a rogaine style event, meaning the race will not follow a definitive course. We will have 30hrs to collect as many checkpoints as possible in any order and make it back to the finish line. This is good because it adds to the strategy and skills needed to do well, eliminates the pacing of traditional races, and allows for more teams to finish. This is bad because it will challenge us to stay consistant and motivated, and make it easier to get lost in an unfamiliar and semi-hostile environment, especially since the race association is emphasizing the recommendation to be prepared for bear encounters!
According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, they can be found in three distinct regions of the state, including the North Georgia mountains (Blue Ridge Mountains).
Fortunately, they add that "there are no recorded bear attacks on humans in Georgia, and no fatalities. There have only been two documented fatal black bear attacks in the Southeastern United States."
And although we take this bear safety issue seriously, we cannot afford the weight a suit like this one would add. But, we are concerned because the number of bear related thefts is up this time of year.
