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Subject: Mounted search and rescue

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Chronological Thread  
  • From: "Trailriding-Texas - OA" <trlrider2@trailriding-texas.us>
  • To: "Mounted search and rescue" <msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [MSAR] Newbie to the List
  • Date: Mon, 17 Nov 2008 10:57:54 -0600



Louis,

So volunteers do not need to be licensed Amateur Radio operators?
And pre-programmed radio equipment will be provided? All that is
important information.

Correct, we will provide radio equipment to the volunteers on the Horse
Patrol, no license required! Although, those that are licensed Amateurs
are encouraged to bring their HT's for Amateur use!


For potential volunteers coming from a long distance away, are you
prepared to supply horses?

Not really! As you know, many individuals are particular about the care
or their equine partners! The one time in the past, on a large ride, that
I attempted a supply set-up, it was a huge disaster trying to please
everyone. So each person is responsible for their own! To top that,
there is no established fund for that type of thing. Maybe in the future!
Water is available, and hay can be had, at the owners cost!

Can you use horse-savvy volunteers who would support the
event without riding?

As with any event of this type, additional ground crew is appreciated,
either to assist with riders, participants, communications or medical!



Everyone,

The Bandera TX 100K ultramarathon is held on dirt roads and paths,
and does not have the extreme climb of mountain ultramarathons, and
the course is a 50K loop, so horses used to ride sweep do not need
to be in tip-top endurance racing condition. (This is important
because ultramarathon runners and endurance horses travel at about
the same pace!) See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultramarathon
for a lot of background information.

Part of the above statement is incorrect! This ultra-marathon is one of the toughest
in the states. We have participants fly from all over to be punished by the
trails of Bandera! While the hills may not be quite as tall as some in
other parts of the country, there are some tough ones. There are no roads per se,
old jeep trail in a couple of sections. Most are single track goat and horse paths.
There is a section of the course that is low land pasture. There are several climbs
on the course that are challenging! Do note, I only task individuals with trails
that they and their horses feel comfortable on! Two sections of the course are
only tasked to experienced and knowledgeable riders, with seasoned horses!
Of the two, there is one, I only go onto when there is a need! It is nasty, and not
recommended at all for a casual ride! The other, is fun going up, but coming down
can be interesting!

To give you a better idea of the course, on the event website, note, even
though the titles say 2007, they are current, they course has not changed except
for insignifican re-routings for the last 3 years!
the topo map - http://www.tejastrails.com/maps/Bandera2007_topo.pdf
and course profile - http://www.tejastrails.com/maps/Bandera2007_100KProfile.gif
also, photo tour - http://www.tejastrails.com/docs/Bandera__Sto.html


Thanks,

Louis







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