Weather and conditions in the Rocky Mountains are volatile. Our required gear lists were developed to:

  1. help ensure that runners are well equipped to endure the variable conditions that they will experience while out on the course;

  2. enable runners who are injured or lost, to be equipped enough to affect a self-rescue to an aid station; or

  3. allow runners–in an emergency–to survive in the elements, while stationary, long enough for SAR or first responders to arrive.

Our required gear lists were developed with input from Search and Rescue, local EMS providers, the USFS, other race directors, and our personal input.

We take runner safety and required gear seriously, and so we expect runners to treat these requirements with respect and without flippancy. All gear will be checked at the start, Cottonwood,  and Hancock. Pacers are also required to carry the appropriate gear and will be checked, so make sure they are appropriately equipped.

Base Required Gear (Required from the Start to the Finish):

  • Whistle

  • SOL emergency Bivvy

  • Minimum 1.5L water capacity (you don’t have to have it full, just have the capacity to carry 1.5L)

  • Emergency light source (must be at least 10 lumens, example)

  • Waterproof jacket (must have taped seams or be impermeable like a poncho)

  • Collapsible cup (bottles do not count, suggested option)

Divide Gear (from Cottonwood to Monarch):

  • Pants (can be leggings, tights, running pants, waterproof pants, etc)

  • Two light sources (primary source + previously carried emergency light source)

  • Beanie/buff

  • Extra layer (long sleeve T-shirt or greater. NO COTTON)

CORSAR Card is required, but does not have to be carried on your person (see below).

Toad bath is required for anyone checking in on Thursday (see below).

MANDATORY GEAR CHECKS

For Runners:

  • Start Line (Friday, 5am - 5:45am)

  • Cottonwood (mile 31, crew accessible)

  • Hancock (mile 49, crew accessible)

For Pacers:

Pacers are checked wherever they are picking up runners. So if you start at Hancock, you will get checked there but not later aid stations. Pacers without the required gear don’t run, so make sure you have all the gear.

CORSAR CARDS

All runners (including pacers) must purchase a CORSAR card. The card is $3 for one year, or $12 for 5 years. This card is not insurance, but will allow local SAR to be reimbursed for a portion of the costs in the event of a search. By purchasing a card, you enable the local organization to be reimbursed by the state and fund their 100% volunteer forces. This card will not cover medical emergency flights, ER bills, etc. The purchase process only takes a few minutes. Please visit the link below to purchase a card.

Please note the following details:

  • You don’t need to carry the card during the race, but you have to show it at packet pickup.

  • CO fishing or hunting licenses do NOT count as a CORSAR Card for the purposes of the race.

  • You are required to show your CORSAR card at Packet Pickup, but NOT at the pre-race Gear Check.

  • You need to purchase the cards individually. If you attempt to buy several at the same time, all cards will have the purchasers name on them. So if buying for your pacers, you’ll need to submit individual orders.

TOAD BATH

The High Lonesome 100 course runs through the habitat of the endangered Boreal Toad. The toads are highly susceptible to several fungi that can wipe out entire populations. The fungi are present in several drainages along the route, and the biggest form of transmission is through mud stuck to the bottom of shoes. As part of our permitting agreement with the Forest Service, we have a system to disinfect shoes before and after the race to help prevent a spread of the fungi. The process involves a quick scrub of the shoe to remove dirt, and then a thorough spraying of the shoe with concoction to kill any fungi or bacteria. The concoction is not harsh and hasn’t caused any skin problems or reactions in runners over the past two years. The process of cleaning and spraying usually takes under 5 minutes, and if placed in direct sunlight the shoes are dry in under 30 minutes.

The toad bath is available at packet pickup and the start/finish line. Runners are required to clean their shoes, and we highly encourage pacers to do so as well. For pacer’s who can’t make it to the packet pickup, we suggest sending your shoes with your runner to have them clean them.

This is a very important step in our permitting process. Your engagement and assistance will help guarantee future permits for our race.