Staying together as a group

• The course is not marked and is cross-country for many miles. Not all trails and 4 wheel drive roads are on maps. On the other side, maps show roads and trails which don't exist and never existed.

• As we have only one "moving aid station", the official aid station will be available only for a certain period of time (as per schedule).

• The group leader(s) will have cellular phones. But on many parts of the of the course there is no contact possible to anywhere.

These are good reasons for our "group concept". We will spread out somewhat, but we should always be able to see each other. In a few places, like coming down the road into Montezuma (twice), there is nothing against leaving the group and running down - with approval of the group leader(s), as he knows the course and can give directions.

Stops

We will undress/dress, eat and drink, have toilet breaks, etc. on the course. Time for stops adds up. So, let's try, whenever possible, to do these things at the same time.