The Atacama Crossing

Sandy is competing in the Atacama Crossing from July 23rd to July 29th, 2006. Read her daily blog on the Edmonton Journal website: www.edmontonjournal.com

What is the Atacama Crossing?
The Atacama Crossing is a 7 day stage-race that takes place in the Atacama Desert in Chile, South America. Competitors race 150 miles in six stages. The athletes are also required to carry all of their supplies and food they will need for the week on their backs. Organizers provide tents, water, and medical aid. There are no showers, no toilets, and no beds.

Where does the Atacama Crossing take place?
The course will be at an altitude that is at least a mile high. The race will feature mountain trails, very narrow slot canyons, salt flats (waist deep) deep gorges, and water crossings. The race will finish in the archaelogical capital of Chile, San Pedro de Atacama.

When is the Atacama Crossing?
The Atacama Crossing starts on Saturday, July 23rd, and finishes Sunday, July 29th. About 140 athletes from around the world will compete in this event.

What will the weather be like for the Atacama Crossing?
The Atacama Desert is the driest place on earth. During July the daytime temperature can reach highs of 40C and drop below freezing at night.

Who lives in the Atacama Desert region?
Native people represent 15 percent of Chile's population. Of that, less than 1 percent are Atacamenos. This is about 3,000 people. Their native language, Kunza, is practically extinct. The people have a rich culture that dates back to more than 10,000 years ago.

Is there wildlife or vegetation in the Atacama Desert?
In the driest areas, the desert is lifeless. Even bacteria is scarce.
But in surrounding areas, athletes will see plenty of lamas. There are 3 species of flamingo that flock together near San Pedro...and if you are lucky, you may even spot the legendary Andean Condor.

There are 20 different cacti in the area, including the legendary candalabra cactus.

Itinerary

Sandy leaves for the race on Tuesday, July 18th. She will fly to Santiago, Chile. From there she will take another flight to Calama. From Calama she will get ground transportation to make the 1 hour drive to San Pedro de Atacama. She will then spend a few days training in the area.

Friday, July 21st, 2006
Sandy will go through registration procedures with Racing the Planet staff. Her backpack will be checked to make sure she has the mandatory food and equipment required for the race. Her medical records will be reviewed, and she will need to sign the necessary waivers.

Saturday, July 22nd, 2006
Competitors will travel to their first campsite. The trip will take about an
hour. Dinner will be served and then a race briefing will be held.

Sunday, July 23rd, 2006
Mini-buses will depart the campsite at 6:30 am to take athletes to the start
line, which is about 1 1/2 hours away. Stage one will begin at 9 am at an
elevation of 14,000 feet.

The stages will range from 20 km to about 80 km. The longest stage will take place on stage 5, with a rest day following it.

Saturday, July 29th, 2006
The race will finish in the town square of San Pedro de Atacama around noon. There will be food and drinks at the finish line. That evening will feature the Awards Banquet.

Sunday, July 30th, 2006
Sandy will travel back to Calama, and fly on to Santiago. She will stay
there for a couple of days to recover.

Tuesday, August 1st, 2006
Sandy leaves Santiago to make the trip back to Edmonton.