May 4/08 - REGISTERED RACERS: Here is a list of the registered racers for MOMAR Squamish. Please make sure all your information is correct especially the field that indicates if you are coming the banquet. If you said yes to the banquet but now can't make it, please let me know. Alternatively, if you said 'no' but now can make it, then please let me know that too. It is important that I have an accurate number to pass along to the caterer. Email all changes to info@mindovermountain.com.

April 30/08 - DETAILED RACER INFORMATION PACKAGE NOW AVAILABLE: The 2008 Racer Info Package is now ready for you to download. This info includes some further details on what you can expect from the course, rules and regulations, and the forms you are required to bring with you. Please download this PDF and read through it thoroughly. Even if you are a MOMAR regular, please give it a good read as I have added some new details.

April 30/08 - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: We are still in need of a few volunteers. Please help us spread the word. All volunteers get a cool MOMAR t-shirt and a ticket to the banquet. Please send them to the Volunteer Page to sign up.

April 29/08 - BANQUET TICKETS: If you would like to bring a guest to the Banquet and Afterparty, please email info@mindovermountain.com for to reserve your ticket. Tickets are $25+gst and must be pre-ordered by Monday, May 5th. You can pay at Friday night registration.

April 29/08 - BIKE CHECK: Racers, your bike needs to pass inspection before you can race. Starting this Friday, you can take it to one of the official bike check stores in your area (see list below). For those of you that live in Vancouver, you can now take your bike to Steed Cycles in North Vancouver. I'm waiting on confirmation for the Victoria bike shop. Please note that Reckless is NOT doing bike checks this year. And if CANNOT get your bike inspected before race weekend, then Corsa Cycles in Squamish will be open late and they can do it for you. However, if your bike needs some serious work, then they probably won't have the time to do that. So, make sure you get your bike tuned up before the big day.

April 25/08 - MORE RAPPELLING CLINICS: It seems like people still need to get certified for the rappel. Marc at Squamish Rock Guides is offering two new clinics: The first one is on Saturday, May 3rd in the AFTERNOON, and the other is on Friday, May 9th, in the morning. Please call Squamish Rock Guides to book.

April 19/08 - INSIDER INFO TIP #2: From start to finish, you will be required to carry all your mandatory gear with you at all times. Make sure you pack can carry your harness and running shoes. If your teammate is bigger/stronger/fitter that you, make them carry the bulk of your gear! Some racers may consider wearing their harness during the entire race. Lots of elevation gain. Navigation will be tricky in places. Pack enough food for the day. Have a bag with a change of clothes and a towel and leave it with the MOMAR staff on race morning. It will be ready for you when you finish. The mountain bike riding is AWESOME in this one!!!

April 19/08 - RAPPEL CLINICS IN WHISTLER
The Whistler Core Climbing Gym is now offering two Rappel Certification clinics. The dates are April 25 and May 4. Go to the Clinic Page for more details and to register.

April 19/08 - SEA TO SKY HOTEL
With the After Party now at Quest University, this hotel is just down the road (too far to walk) and is the closest. It's a good place to stay with some nice restaurants nearby. Directions.
www.seatoskyhotel.com

April 12/08 -- RAPPEL CERTIFICATION UPDATE: Racers can now have their local indoor climbing gym instructors sign off on the RAPPEL CERTIFICATION FORM. Please ensure that you are able to walk off a flat ledge and into a vertical wall.

April 12/08 -- INSIDER INFO TIP #1: You will be required to carry all your climbing gear with you for the entire race.

April 12/08 -- REGISTRATION AND BANQUET LOCATION: Racers, Friday night registration will take place at the Howe Sound Inn and Brewing Co. (Downtown Squamish). The Saturday night banquet and afterparty will be held at Quest University. Friday night bike check will take place at Corsa Cycles.

April 12/08 -- VANCOUVER CLINIC ADDED
Due to popular demand, we have added another MOMAR 101 Clinic in Vancouver taught by Tom Jarecki. This will be Tom's third clinic that he is instructing. You will be doing a fair amount of self-navigation so I would highly recommend taking this clinic is you are not comfortable with the map and compass. Sign up here.

Mar 11/08 -- IMPORTANT RAPPEL INFO!
Course Designer, Jen Segger-Gigg, was scouting out the rappelling site with Squamish Rock Guide's Marc Bourdon this past weekend. They found a site and it sounds wicked! The secret site is over 100 feet high and pretty much vertical. We told you that the rappel last year was a just a teaser to what we were going to do this year.

As a result of the increased technical aspect, all racers need to have the proper skills BEFORE coming to the race. There will be NO skill test given on the Friday night. Every racer much come to the race with the proper certification. To be considered certified, racers must meet ONE of the following criteria:

1) You get signed off by an ACMG guide
2) You did the MOMAR Squamish last year
3) You show a certificate from another adventure race that had a comparable rappel stage
4) You took a clinic by the Squamish Rock Guide
5) NEW - You get signed off by your local climbing gym

We are also requiring every racer to come with their own rappelling equipment. The following items are now added to the gear list:

• Certified rock climbing harness (e.g. Metolius Safe-Tech)
• 2 locking carabiners
• 1 belay/rappel device (e.g. Black Diamond ATC or ATC XP) No figure 8’s!
• 1 shoulder length climbing sling
• Long fingered gloves (bike gloves ok)
• Helmet (bike helmet ok)
  

RAPPELLING INFORMATION:

The rappel is rumoured to be approximately 100 feet. There will be six rappel lines. If you feel you cannot do the rappel, you can do the alternate penalty run instead (note that it will much quicker and much less effort to do the rappel than to do the penalty run--plus it's more FUN).

CERTIFICATION REQUIRED!
All racers need to have the proper skills BEFORE coming to the race. There will be NO skill test given on the Friday night. Every racer much come to the race with the proper certification. To be considered certified, racers must meet one of the following criteria:
1) You get signed off by an ACMG guide
2) You did the MOMAR Squamish last year
3) You show a certificate from another adventure race that had a comparable rappel stage
4) You took a clinic by the Squamish Rock Guide
5) NEW - You get signed off by your local climbing gym

Click Here to download the MANDATORY CERTIFICATION FORM (PDF)
ALL racers must bring this completed form with them to Friday Night Registration. If you do bring this form, you will be forbidden from doing the ropes and will have to do the penalty run instead.

NEW MANDATORY GEAR:
We are also requiring every racer to come with their own rappelling equipment. The following items are now added to the gear list:

• Certified rock climbing harness (e.g. Metolius Safe-Tech)
• 2 locking carabiners
• 1 belay/rappel device (e.g. Black Diamond ATC or ATC XP) No figure 8’s!
• 1 shoulder length climbing sling
• Long fingered gloves (bike gloves ok)
• Helmet (bike helmet ok)

Skill Requirements Checklist:  Racer must demonstrate how to……

1. Understands the basic safety concerns of rappelling (loose clothing, loose hair, rappelling too quickly).
2. Can put on a standard sit harness and buckle it properly according to manufactures instructions.
3. Can identify the safety points of the harness, including the isolated tie in point and the belay/rappel loop.
4. Can attach the rappel device (ATC “tube style”) to the correct loop on the harness using a locking carabineer.
5. Can properly thread the climbing rope through the rappel device for both a single stranded rappel AND a double stranded rappel.
6. Can demonstrate proper hand position for breaking during the rappel.
7. Can properly go over a lip to begin rappel.
8. Can demonstrate proper body position on a low angle, vertical and free hanging rappel.
9. Can rappel in a smooth and controlled manner.

Squamish Rock Guides is the official climbing company of the MOMAR. Marc and his team will be setting up and managing the rappel lines for the race. Give them a call at 604-815-1750 for rappel clinics and more information. www.squamishrockguides.com

+ Local Area Website: www.mysquamish.com
+ Local Bike Association: www.sorca.ca
+ Squamish Trail Society
+ Regional District: www.district.squamish.bc.ca
+ Chamber of Commerce
+ Visitor Information Centre

Friday Night Registration

DATE: Friday, May 9th
LOCATION: Howe Sound Brew Pub
37801 Cleveland Ave, Squamish, BC. Click here for Google Map directions.
TIME: 6:30-9:30pm
EAT: It's Prime Rib Night at the Howe Sound Inn and Brewery. Jugs are on special too. Be sure to stay for dinner and a beer.

Banquet and After-Party Info

LOCATION: Quest University, Squamish

TIME:
6:30pm - Doors open
7:00pm - Dinner is served
8:30pm - Awards Ceremony
9:15pm - Afterparty featuring the Hair Farmers
1:00am - End of the night

TICKETS: Remember to bring your banquet ticket with you or you will not be allowed in. Guest are welcome and the fee is $25+GST. You must pre-order tickets either when you register or by emailing info@mindovermountain.com.

NEW... Click here to view the 2008 Detailed Racer Information Package.

Squamish is located one hour north of Vancouver on Highway 99. Click here for a Google Map.

For ferry information visit www.bcferries.com or call 1-888-223-3779. The ferries may be busy this weekend so you might want to make reservations (only $17 per vehicle).

Accommodations

MOMAR recommends...

HOWE SOUND BREW PUB
Our 20 guest rooms are tastefully decorated with wood furniture and finishings, cozy duvet comforters on the beds and scenic mountain views from all directions. The Howe Sound Inn has 20 character guestrooms, of which 16 rooms have both a queen and daybed, 2 rooms have two doubles and 2 rooms have queens only. *Minimum two night booking on race weekend. www.howesound.com

SEA TO SKY HOTEL
With the After Party now at Quest University, this hotel is just down the road (too far to walk) and is the closest. It's a good place to stay with some nice restaurants nearby. Directions.
www.seatoskyhotel.com

ALICE LAKE PROVICIAL PARK
This park offers vehicle accessible campsites. Most of these sites can accommodate a large camper with trailer; there are a few medium sized sites; and a couple of small sites. There are 11 double sites. The campsite is set in forest cover and the sites are quite shaded. Sites are not on the lakeshore but are set back in the forest. Reservations open on April 1st. Click here for more details and reservation info.

For more accommodation listings, please visit Chamber of Commerce or the Visitor Information Centre

1. Rock Climbing with the Squamish Rock Guides
2. Explore more trails
3. Spring skiing/boarding up at Whistler
4. Fishing
5. Whitewater Rafting
6. Hike the Chief
7. Whitewater Kayaking
8. Birding in the Squamish Estuary
9. Windsurfing/Kite Surfing
10. Sign your kid up for the Squamish Youth Triathlon.
11. Recover from the MOMAR after-party...

This race is limited to 250 racers (note that this race sold out early last year).

Registration will open on December 1st, 2007

2008 ENTRY FEES (+GST):
+ $109/racer -- Dec 1/07 - Jan 15/08
+ $125/racer -- Jan 16/08 - Apr 10/08
+ $140/racer -- Apr 11/08 - Apr 30/08
+ $150/racer -- May 1/08 - May 7/08

YOUR ENTRY INCLUDES:
+ A professionally designed course by one of the world's top adventure racer.
+ A comprehensive safety and medical team.
+ A Gift Bag filled with cool stuff
+ An awesome souvenir graphic t-shirt screened on American Apparel. Female cut available.
+ Professional course mapping.
+ A huge post-race refreshment table.
+ A custom Finishers medal.
+ Professional photography by Tony Austin.
+ One awesome MC, Dave Norona.
+ Friday night social.
+ Gourmet banquet dinner buffet.
+ Lively awards ceremony with medals and prizing for 1st to 3rd place finishers in all categories.
+ Tons of killer draw prizes (In 2007, we gave out over $20,000 worth of series prizing).
+ Live band at the after-party to keep the dance floor packed all night long.
+ Multimedia slide show during the awards ceremony.
= ONE ADVENTURE PACKED WEEKEND EXPERIENCE!!!

Official Bike Inspection Shops:

• Corsa Cycles in Squamish
• Berg Bikes in Cobble Hill
• Dodge City Cycles in Cumberland
• Arrowsmith Bikes in Nanaimo
• Steed Cycles in North Vancouver
• Straight Up Cycles in Victoria

Corsa Cycles will be open late (til 9:30pm) on Friday night for anyone that wasn't able to have their bike inspected earlier.

CATEGORY WINNERS:

• Medals and prizes will be awarded to 1st to 3rd place finishers in all categories.

Draw Prizes include:

• TBA

SPECIAL AWARDS:

• Team in Most Need of a Beer sponsored by Lighthouse Brewing Co. This goes to the last team to officially crosses the line ranked.
• Team Spirit / Best Costume - This will be awarded to the team that has the best costume, most enthusiasm, along with showing lots of creativity, and gives the best treats to the volunteers. Prize Keen Footwear.

For a list of MOMAR clinics click here.
For a list of Training Articles click here.
For a list of Links to cool stuff click here.