SCHEDULE
Friday, March 20
5 - 7 PM - Registration and Bib Pick-up at Ledge Brewing at 15 Town Hall Road, Intervale, NH
Saturday, March 21
6 AM - Pinkham Parking Lot Open
7:30 AM - Late Registration / Bib Pick-up at Pinkham Notch Parking Lot
9:30 AM - Race Start - Pinkham Notch
3 PM - Après Party at Ledge Brewing at 15 Town Hall Road, Intervale, NH
5 PM - Awards at Ledge Brewing at 15 Town Hall Road, Intervale, NH
RACE RULES & DETAILS
1. Race Divisions & Format
- Skimo, Duo, & Vertical: Mass-start, first-to-the-finish-line.
- Duo Division: Two-person relay, same skimo course.
- Vertical Division: Finish at the Summit, descend at your own pace.
- Classic Division: Individual Time Trial (ITT) top-to-bottom ski race. Racers start at 90-second intervals. Racers must ascend the designated uphill route and arrive before their designated start time.
- Timing: Split times are recorded at all major up/down transitions. Bibs must be clearly visible from the front when passing through transition zones.
- Cut-off Times: Racers will not be permitted to begin above treeline climbs after 2:00 PM at the floor of Tuckerman Ravine or the base of Hillman's Highway.
Withdrawal: Racers must notify a race official at a transition zone if they choose to withdraw. All racers (including DNFs) must check in at the finish line for accountability.
2. Course Etiquette & Safety
- Public Access: The course uses public trails. Racers must yield to the general public and follow the Skier’s Responsibility Code.
- Passing: In single-track sections, racers must yield to faster racers from behind as soon as it is safe to do so.
- Terrain Boundaries:
- Below Treeline: Stay within "normal bounds" of designated trails.
- Hermit Lake Shelter: Follow the designated course around the perimeter of the Hermit Lake Shelter Courtyard.
- Above Treeline: Follow established and marked ski tracks or boot packs.
- Fixed Lines: Follow all directions from Mountain Guides. Maximum capacity on lines is determined by the safety staff.
- Technical Transitions: If the "Little Headwall" is closed, racers must dismount skis/snowboard and downclimb the Tuckerman Ravine Trail to the Sherburne Ski Trail.
Ski Trails: racers must wear skis or a snowboard on any designated ski trail (i.e, Sherburne Ski Trail)
3. Mandatory Gear Requirements
All gear must be carried from start to finish. All racers (including classic division racers) will conduct a mandatory avalanche beacon function check at the start/finish line before ascending Mount Washington. Random gear checks may be performed at the finish line.
All Divisions
- Avalanche Safety: 3-antenna digital beacon (worn on body), metal-blade shovel, and 240cm+ probe.
- Technical: Ski boot-compatible crampons and a self-arrest tool (ice axe or whippet).
- Protection: UIAA-certified helmet and an emergency whistle.
- Apparel: Waterproof/wind-blocking shell layer and a separate insulating "puffy" layer.
Technical Sections (Skimo, Duo, Vertical)
- Climbing Gear: Rated climbing harness and one (1) locking carabiner.
- Ascent: Mechanical rope ascender or Prusik cord.
- Note: IMCS provides harnesses/Prusik material at registration if needed.
4. Conduct & Environmental Policy
- Littering: Any racer observed dropping trash (including gel tabs/wrappers) will be immediately disqualified.
- Environmental Protection: Avoid skiing on exposed vegetation or protected alpine zones.
- Support: External racer support (physical pacing or gear hand-offs) is prohibited.
- Emergency Response: If you encounter an injured racer, you are required to stop and assist until a race official is notified or arrives.
5. Official Authority
- The Race Director and Safety Staff reserve the right to force a competitor to withdraw for health, safety, or time-limit reasons.
- Racers failing a gear safety check at the fixed line must correct the deficiency and re-enter at the back of the queue.