We hope you'll enjoy this year's courses at China Camp. As usual the courses are a compromise between avoiding too much climb, yet using interesting portions of the map.
Red and Blue course runners will have a chance to explore an area that has not been used for quite a while (to the course setter's recollection), and many map corrections were needed to set controls there.
Note: If you know or suspect that you are allergic to bees or yellowjacket wasps, please read the Hazards section below.
Course Statistics ↑
Course Controls Distance Climb Relative Climb
White 10 2.2 km 70 m 3.2%
Yellow 11 3.0 90 3.0
Orange 11 3.9 225 7.5
Brown 10 3.3 230 7.0
Green 12 3.9 280 7.2
Red 14 5.0 325 6.5
Blue 16 6.0 475 7.9
Start Locations ↑
There will be different Start locations for White/Yellow/Orange and for Brown/Green/Red/Blue. They are both a short walk away from the parking lot, and there will be streamers marking the way. Please budget for up to 5 minutes of hiking to get to the Start areas.
E-Punch ↑
Electronic punching will be used for all the courses. If you don't have your own, rental E-sticks will be available at registration for a modest fee.
Water ↑
All advanced courses have water at three or four controls. Yellow has one water control, and the Orange course has two evenly spaced water controls. White/Yellow runners should plan on carrying their own water.
Mandatory Road Crossing ↑
For the White and Yellow courses there will be a mandatory road crossing. It will be clearly marked on the Yellow map, and it will be obvious on the White course from control placements. Because the courses cross a road, parents are advised to not let small children run these courses by themselves.
Control Locations ↑
The control density is fairly high in the open area between the starts and the road. There should not be any controls close to each other on similar features, but make sure to check the code on every control that you punch. (Many controls are shared between courses, but far fewer of the legs are shared.)
Special Map Symbols ↑
Some lone trees are marked with a green "O" and some are marked with a lone green "X". The course setter has no idea whether there's a significant difference between the two symbols, but they are all lone trees.
Red and Blue runners should note that planted trees surrounded by small metal cages are not mapped.
Hazards ↑
At least two yellowjacket wasp nests have been discovered on the southwestern side of the map, where the Red and Blue courses venture. One of these was spotted next to a control. I will try to locate the exact location and streamer if possible, and may also move it depending on what I find. Since there are probably more nests, please do not compete at China Camp if you have serious bee/yellowjacket allergies!
As usual in the Bay Area, be on the lookout for poison oak, and bring Tecnu if you are vulnerable.