Family Nature Summits: Black Hills Summit

For the first time, the older half (we know who you are***) of our group will get to walk at leisure (not timed!) all of the uphill. Why didn't we think of that before!? You'll be doing a map reading game, of course, but one we've never used before. Mountain biking (all paved bike paths) is back this year, just two miles (all downhill for the "older" set!) Averaging 35 adults aged 17 to 80 taking part each year, this Thirteenth Annual Adventure “Race” will also have us all looking for those orange orienteering markers on foot (just a mile, not counting detours to give bison a wide berth!) It's a grand total of 2¾ miles on foot, less than last year.

Mostly on trails, you’ll need to decide "Do I go left, or right?" at least a dozen times. (Or for some of us, "Do I follow those other folks or not?" ;) Our Adventure "Race" is really mostly a self-guided map hike to some pretty spots. Not sure of your orienteering map skills?... See Dave L. anytime during the week for some tips and a short "practice course." This event is for anyone with average agility and fitness and with at least a modicum of navigational skills.... So if you are slow-moving but quick-thinking, this may be your event. Or at least pick a teammate smarter than you!

For only the second time, those "competitive folks" at the finish line early can declare for the "long course" category & do another loop looking for markers near the creek and cabins marked on a clear aerial image map. That extra loop is just over half a mile (perhaps less if you go through the Lodge lobby, but we highly discourage that!) The rest of us skip that loop. As always, it's really only a "race" if you want it to be.

For the competitive folks among us, we'll have a "masters" category (both 45+), another 60+, plus our usual single-gender and mixed gender categories... Ok to sign up solo!.... to find a partner, some folks always wait until the start of our event when we explain how it all works.  A challenge, sure. Fun, yes. Our motto: it’s more about the journey than the result!

***Thus, it strategically behooves everyone to recruit as many participants younger than themselves as
possible!...just don't mention to the younger set that they'll have uphill hiking-biking! :-)

Recommended items to bring: a narrow-point permanent red "sharpie" (we'll have some to lend), shoes for hiking-jogging on trails, water, sun protection and/or rain gear as needed, and a compass (we’ll have some to lend)... No GPS/ cell phone nav. app use, just the compass app.

Cost: $30