By Greg Khanlarov

Courses ↑

Technical      Physical  
Course   Distance   Climb  Controls  Map Scale   Difficulty     Difficulty
White     2.9 km     75 m      8     1:7,500     Beginner       Easiest       
Yellow    3.2 km    100 m      9     1:7,500     Adv Beginner   Easy
Orange    4.8 km    255 m     12     1:10,000    Intermediate   Intermediate  
Silver    3.5 km    190 m      8     1:7,500     Advanced       Moderate      
Brown     4.0 km    230 m     10     1:7,500     Advanced       Intermediate
Green     5.3 km    360 m     13     1:10,000    Advanced       Challenging
Red       6.0 km    390 m     15     1:10,000    Advanced       Quite challenging
Blue      7.6 km    440 m     17     1:10,000    Advanced       Most challenging

Important Course Comments ↑

• Beginners should be aware that the distances shown are the cumulative straight-line distances between controls. Your actual distance will be longer.

• The listed climb represents the total elevation gain along the "optimum route" (as determined by the course setter) and does not factor in any descending.

• The Silver course is a shorter version of the Brown course, and both are printed on the same map. If you are undecided, register for the Brown course. You can switch to the Silver course mid-route by going directly from control #5 to control #8. You don't need to memorize this — a red dashed line on the map indicates this shortcut.

• There is a 1 km walk (with a 40 m gentle climb) to the Start location. The Finish will be at the Assembly Area.

• Water will not be provided on the courses. Please bring your own.

• If you encounter horseback riders, you must stop running. Be still, speak calmly to the rider to announce your presence, and allow them to pass safely. This lets the horse know you are human and prevents it from being spooked.

• If you must cross a fence, please roll or go underneath — do not climb over it.

Terrain ↑

• Shell Ridge features grassy, oak-studded hills with a fairly extensive trail network. Visibility is very good, and rock features are abundant.

• The hills are quite steep, so please pay extra attention to contours to avoid unnecessary climbing.

• The ground has softened at this time of year. Nevertheless, O-shoes are recommended for the Advanced courses, as some grassy and leafy slopes might be slippery.

E-Punch ↑

• Touchless, SIAC-Air punching is enabled, as well as normal E-punching. However, regardless of the type of E-stick used, the first person at a control will need to insert their E-stick to wake up the control unit.

Hazards ↑

• Poison oak is dormant and easily avoided.

• Steep, leaf-covered slopes can be slippery.

• You might encounter cows. They are typically timid and will not be a problem, but do not get between a cow and her calf.

Map ↑

• The contour interval is 5 m.

• The map is generally quite reliable. However, you might encounter unmapped mountain-bike or animal trails. If a trail is on the map, it exists on the ground, but not all trails on the ground (especially animal or bike trails) are on the map.

• Please note that some fences in the northern part of the map are unmapped, while other mapped fences no longer exist. This should not impact your navigation, as there are many other prominent features to rely on.

• A temporary out-of-bounds restoration area is marked in the southern part of the map, covering part of a large hill. No sensible route passes through this area. It can be easily avoided by running on either side of the hill.

Animals ↑

• Wildlife in the area includes coyotes, various birds (including owls), skunks, squirrels, and salamanders.