January 9 : Adventure Racing 101 Clinic
Interested in getting started in adventure racing?  Members of the NMARC will be hosting a clinic at REI to tell you everything you need to know, from equipment, training, and race day prep to finding teammates and races.  Come will all your questions.  No registration required.   

January 29: GPS Clinic & Treasure Hunt

The New Mexico Adventure Racing Club (NMARC) will be holding GPS Clinic and GPS Treasure Hunt, which is open to the public.  It will be held at the Main Campus of the University of New Mexico.  Teams of two (or families) will search for hidden locations using their own GPS units.  This event is geared towards those new to GPS and Geocashing.  Prizes will be awarded to teams for accomplishing certain tasks, such as finding especially difficult caches, first cache found and reported, furthest cache found and reported, along with other categories  This event is held in coordination with UNM's Recreational Services Department - Getaway Adventures Program.

Cost is $40 per team of two or family.  Register at REI - 1550 Mercantile Ave. NE.  (505) 247-1191.  Pre-registered teams will be entered into a drawing for event T-shirts.  Event check-in/day of registration is at 9:30 am in the lobby of Johnson Gym on the UNM campus off Central Ave.   The clinic starts at 10 am, and the treasure hunt goes from 11 am to 1 pm.  Contact Warren for more information.

February 4 : Bosque Bike Ride
Meet at Alameda at the Bosque, 7:45am.   It is a 12 mile ride, half on road and half on dirt.  Equipment needed:  Bike, bike helmet, water, and food.  This is not a race.  No cost.  Contact Deb if you have questions.

February 13 : Wilderness First Aid Clinic
A 1 hour presentation will be made by local EMT, Cathy Camargo, at REI beginning at 7:00 pm.   For a preliminary agenda click here.

March 19 : Club Training Event - Bike Ride
Starting at the Smith's parking lot on the corner of Tramway and Central, we are having a bike ride up to North 14 and on to the Sandia Ski area, then return.  The pace will be moderate.  Those that want to go faster and farther can go to the crest if they want to.  I'm going to use a road bike. If you want a harder workout use a mountain bike.  Cost is free.  Let me know if you're coming and we'll wait for you.  Okay to invite a friend.   Steve Prickett

April: Quest for Fire Race Clinic

Learn how to prepare and train for the Quest for Fire Adventure Race.  Experienced Adventure Racers will be on hand to explain the race and answer questions.  Everyone welcome.  Cost is free.  Mark Dick from Focus Fitness will be at the April 10th & 13th meetings to explain the importance of training and proper nutrition in order to have a successful race.  Contact Warren Wylupski at 489-1416 for more information.  

April & May: Weekly Mountain Bike Ride

Meet at the location listed each week.  Plan to ride for an hour or more (daylight, skill level, and enthusiasm dependent).  If beginner's show up we can do some skills work.   Contact Pearl Yeast at 710-8570 to let her know if you're coming to the training that day.

April & May : Core Strengthening Class

The class meets each Wednesday evening from 6pm to 7pm at the Training Sensation Gym (in the shopping center at Spain and Eubank).  All skill levels are welcome.  Contact Kim Kavasch (cell 975.3497) for more information.

April 2 : Hike to the Big Eye

e. A four mile hike with 1300 ft elevation gain to a modern rock painting in the southern foothills of the Sandia Mountains. Well behaved dogs are welcome. A GPS may be useful, but not required.  Meet at the end of Copper Ave east of Tramway at 9 AM.  Contact Terri Oneby via email or by phone at (505) 553-0811 for more information.

April 11 : Intro Night Ride

Meet at the Spain trailhead at 7:00pm.  All skill levels welcome.  Plan for a 2 hour ride, lights required.   Contact Kim Kavasch (cell 975.3497) or Dom Purpura (cell 331.2959) for more information.

April 17 : Endurance/Technical MTB Ride - Cedro Peak

Meet Sandia Ranger Station in Tijeras at 4:30pm.  This ride requires intermediate to advanced mountain biking skills.  Plan to ride till Dark.  Contact Kim Kavasch (cell 975.3497) or Dom Purpura (cell 331.2959) for more information.

April 28:  Mountain Bike Maiintenance Clinic

If you didn't go last year you missed a great event.  Gavin is very practical in his approach to the bike maintenance and gives tips on how to get in if you're stranded out in a race.  Bring your bike and be prepared to learn how to correctly clean it and make the necessary adjustments to keep it in top working order.  You will actually do the maintenance.  He has all the tools and cleaning stuff.  Cost is free.  However, we'll ask everyone who shows to chip in a couple bucks so we can order pizza and drinks.  Email Gavin to let him know you're coming and he'll send you directions to his house.

May 1 & 8: Cedro Peak Endurance Ride

The ride wil start at 5:30 at the Cedro/Dump Road - also called Chamisa Road.  It is maybe ¼ mile past the ranger station on the same side of the road.  Contact Kim at 975-3497 if you plan to attend. 

May 6 : Knife Edge Scramble

The knife edge of the Shield is a fun / challenging class 4 climb along the top of the shield formation. Much of the climb is class 2 or 3, but it steepens--and gets very exposed--near the top.  The top section is an easy 5th class technical rock climbing section.  I will bring 1 rope and a small rack of climbing pro.  I want everyone to know that I have never done this hike before, and do not know what to expect. This will be a long (12+ mile) hike with significant elevation gain ( 4000+ feet). Feel free to call with any questions or concerns

June 10: Orienteering Clinic

Jim Dick has once again agreed to provide a hands on clinic on Orienteering  at the Placitas Strip Shopping center.  We will probably finish by noon.  Format is a 20 to 30 minute presentation and discussion on UTM, setting plot points, reading a map, then we go out into a course Jim has already set up.  And this is where the fun begins.  Participants are challenged to find the checkpoints in an Adventure Racing setting.  Also, bring a compass.  Don't worry if you don't have one.  Jim has lots of them.  We'll be out for several hours so bring enough food and water.  It should be a blast.  Go ahead and invite a friend.   Let me know if you're coming so I can give Jim a headcount. Steve 505-980-9851 cell  

June 24: Kayak/Paddling Clinic

This will be a training session around the lake, not a race.  There should be enough kayaks for everyone so don't worry if you don't have one.  Email Deb McFarland if you are interested and if you plan to bring a kayak.  We will meet at 8:30 am at the dock on the west side of the lake and push off by 9:00 am.  All skill levels are welcome.  No charge

July 10:  Climbing Clinic - Stone Age Gym

This clinic will focus on ropes for adventure racing.  There will be hands on rapelling and ascending.  You must RSVP to Deb McFarland because spaces are limited due to the practical aspect of the clinic.  Cost is $25 - $30 per person.   If you are a member of Stone Age Gym the cost is only $15.00.

July 11:  Adventure Racing 101 Clinic
Interested in getting started in adventure racing?  Members of the NMARC will be hosting a clinic at REI to tell you everything you need to know, from equipment, training, and race day prep to finding teammates and races.  Come will all your questions.  No registration required.   

July 29:  Hike to TWA Crash Site

On Saturday, July 29, at 7:30am, at Elena Gallegos Park, I will be leading a hike up to the TWA Crash site and back.  It's about 7 miles and I'll do it at a Class II pace (that's moderate, not high speed).  Those of you who are beginner/intermediate hikers this will be perfect for you.  We leave at 7:30am sharp.  Email me or call if you're coming.  Cost is free for members.  Steve Prickett 980-9851

July 30:  Cochiti Paddle

On Sunday, July 30, at 9:00am, I will lead a paddling/fun time at Cochiti Lake.  We will meet at the boat dock at 9am on the North side of the Lake (that's the Town of Cochiti side).  The club has some boats, so let me know if you're going to need a boat, PFD's, or paddles. Email me if you're coming.  Cost is free for members.  Steve Prickett 980-9851

August 6:  Beginning Whitewater Kayaking
Introduction to the basic skills of whitewater kayaking, including strokes, stability control, reading whitewater, basic hydrology, route planning and execution and self-rescue including the roll. Participants will need to bring a whitewater kayak, spray skirt, paddle, helmet and PFD (life vest). Limited to 4 participants. Meet at the Rio Grande Gorge Visitor Center parking lot in Pilar at 9:00am.  Contact Brooks Alldredge,

August 13:  Introduction to River Whitewater for Adventure Racers
The basics of navigating and swimming in whitewater. Strokes, stability control, reading whitewater, basic hydrology, safe swimming in whitewater, and self-rescue. Participants will need to bring a single person inflatable kayak, paddle and PFD, and a helmet is STRONGLY recommended - depending on the group's desire/skill, we may run the Class III section in the afternoon. Limited to 8 participants. Meet at the Rio Grand Gorge Visitor Center parking lot in Pilar at 9:00am.  Contact Brooks Alldredge,

August 26:  Beginner Mountain Bike Clinic

This ride is definitely at beginner level. Gavin will be our guide.  He will be taking us just outside of Albuquerque.  Gavin will be giving mountain biking tips on technique and training.  Please feel free to bring a friend or other interest party--the cost is FREE!  Please RSVP to Deb McFarland if you plan to attend.

September 10 : King of NM Scramble
Leave ABQ at 6am, Arrive Bavarian Lodge (Taos) 9am.  Length / difficulty:  Approximately 6 miles RT.  There is about 3100ft elevation and 2000 of it is in the last mile - click here for map.  There will be 2 groups, a beginner and an advanced group. I will lead the beginner group and the advanced is on their own to make it to the top of Wheeler Peak and claim the crown of King or Queen of NM.  Wheeler peak is the highest point in NM and provides some spectacular views of the surrounding area.   POC: Dominic Purpura  (331.2959) Please call with questions and to confirm your attendence.

October 1 : Sandia Knife Edge Hike
This hike will start at the Crest House to the Knife Edge ROUTE (not out on the rocky Knife Edge) in the Sandia Mountains. Approximately 3.5 to 4.5 miles round trip. You can meet at Steve's house to car pool at 9am, or meet me at the Crest house, North part of the parking lot at 10am. This hike is designed to have fun and enjoy the sights. Afterward, there is the option to go eat lunch at Kokopelli's in Cedar Crest. Steve Prickett 980-9851

Oct 21: First Aid During an Adventure Race

This club event will be held in the Sandia mountains above the Embuditio trail and will require all participants to carry the required gear used during an adventure race.  We  will meet in the parking lot at the Embudito trail head (top of Montgomery) at 8:00 am.  A list of what each person needs to bring will be posted as the date approaches.  Please email Deb McFarland if you will be coming!!  No cost

November 19 Club hike to Chimney Rock and take the Tram down

Steve Prickett will be leading a hike starting at 7:30am at the La Luz trailhead.  The first 2 miles follows the La Luz, then we veer off to Chimney Rock and on to the crest under the Radio towers.  Some of the trail is loose rock and may involve some scrambling.  Once on top, we will hike to the tram and take it down.  Total hike distance is about ~ 9 miles.  This is a Class III hike.  Cost is free.  For information or to confirm you're coming call Steve at 980-9851

NMARC Christmas Party, Friday December 8, at 7pm at Steve's house

Like last year, this is a potluck so be sure to email Steve Prickett to let him know what you're bringing.  This will be a nice time to celebrate the year and reconnect with club members.  Club stories are welcome.  For more information call Steve at 980-9851