Welcome to the 8th Annual Yough Xtreme!

We are excited to have you with us for this event!  The staff of American Adventure Sports trusts that you will enjoy both the challenge and beauty that the Ohiopyle Area and Southwestern Pennsylvania offers.

The format of this year’s event will afford the opportunity to race alongside other teams as well as the freedom to make decisions regarding route selection and even which points to collect. 

A total of 24 CPs, marked with standard orienteering controls/punches are placed for the event each possessing a different point value.  Your team’s objective is to accrue as many points as possible in the shortest amount of time.  A team’s total accrued points will be used to determine the event winner, with the shortest cumulative time being used in the event of a score tie.

 

Race Overview:

          Transportation from Wilderness Voyagers to the Starting Line will be provided by AAS Staff.  Please ensure that you confirm the bus departure time. Event begins with a mass start and a run.  CPs 1-4 are located along this route.  You may opt to collect any/all of the controls during this leg of the race.  The 1st, 2nd and 3rd teams to reach CP 4 will receive a bonus of 6, 4 and 2 pts respectively.

          The opening run is followed by a paddle containing CPs 5-7.  You may collect any/all of these CPs during this leg of the race.    The 1st, 2nd and 3rd  (lowest net paddling time – measured from CPs 4-7) will receive a bonus of 6, 4 and 2 pts respectively.  Your team’s punch card for CPs 1-7 must be turned in upon reaching CP 7.

          Once clearing the paddle, CPs 8-23 may be collected in ANY order via bike or foot, with CP 24 serving as your final point.    Your team’s Punch Card for CPs 8-24 must turned in upon reaching CP 24 (Finish).

 

“Events Within The Event”

Foot-O:  Open from 10:00am – 6:30pm. CP 12 marks the Start and Finish of an approx. 6-mile Foot Orienteering Section.   Pre-marked, 1:15K maps, punch cards and a list of each point’s “value” will be distributed and turned in to the staff member at CP 12.     A bike drop area is provided, as all 7 of the O-controls MUST be collected on foot.  .    The 1st, 2nd and 3rd (lowest net time) on the Foot-O will receive a bonus of 6, 4 and 2 pts respectively. 

 

River Swim: Open from 3:30pm – 6:30pm.  CP 8 marks the start of the River Swim.  All team members, with all gear (sans bikes) must complete the swim in order to collect max points.  Safety: PFDs are supplied by race staff at CP 8.  You may enter and exit the water ONLY at the designated points.  CP 8 must be approached on foot using the following route:  At the NW end of the Rail-Trail Footbridge (Bikes MAY NOT be left here), locate the wooden steps leading down to the footpath that heads downstream, along the river’s edge.  Please use caution as you traverse the rocks approaching CP 8. 

 

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Rappel: Open from 3:30pm – 6:30pm.  CP 9 marks the Bike Drop/Harness Area for the rappel.  Here you will check in with race staff, and don your harness before moving N onto the bridge and rappel site.  Gear and bikes may be left in the designated area at CP 9, as you will be returning to this point directly following your rappel.  A portion of the bridge will be cordoned off for the event, however you may NOT leave any gear/bikes on the bridge itself.  All team members must complete the rappel in order to collect maximum points.  Please ensure that your punch card travels through the rappel with you.  Teams are permitted to leave bikes in the designated area at CP 9 while they complete the River Swim, however, they MUST return to CP 9 and collect their bikes before proceeding to the finish (CP 24).

 

Finish Line:  CP 24 serves as your final control and the “Finish Line”.  Race Staff will stop your time once all members of your team arrive at CP 24 and your card is punched. 

 

Safety:  The park is EXTREMELY busy on this holiday weekend.  We, just like everyone else are guests of the park.  PLEASE yield to other bikers / hikers on the roads and trails.  The Rail-Trail and both bridges tend to get very crowded – while you are racing against the clock, PLEASE take the extra moment to slow down, call out and yield to the other park users.  We are all stewards of the environment and the sport.  Please help us to send a good message. 

Take time to make good decisions.

 

Off Limits Roads/Trails:  In order to respect Private Property and for the safety of you and other park users, the following roads/trails are off limits to BOTH foot and bike travel.

  • Area N from Fire Tower Rd to the Yough River . 

(Descent to CPs 3 & 4 must be via Fire Tower Rd )

  • Paved road S of Ohiopyle and paved road W of BM 1804/Kentuck Union Church. (UTM 627314  4414617) Travel on roads N of BM 1804 is permitted.
  • Any trails leading W from Rail-Trail between Cucumber Falls and Jonathan Run.  (ie: Great Gorge Trail, Campground Trail, Beech Trail)  Ascent/Descent of trails that junction the Rail-Trail at the confluence of Jonathan Run (stream) and the Yough River is permitted.
  • Travel on the paved road just W of CP 20, between the parking lot (Spot Elev 1677) and Bruner Run.
  • Travel on the trail leading NW from Spot Elev. 1677 towards CPs 21 & 22 is permitted, but not advised due to logging and overgrowth. 
  • Travel on an unmarked ATV trail leading from the N edge of the clearing at CP 23 to junction the Rail-Trail at UTM 628986 4421906 is permitted. 

 

Remember to race with your teammates, not against them.

The AAS Staff wishes you all of the best in the event – Good Luck!

 

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