“The SPOT is cool, I just don’t have enough need to justify buying one and paying the annual fee, so your service is really handy.  Being able to see OK messages home really reduced the stress levels of my wife and my mother.

Kenneth Kemp, May 14, 2009

1. Make sure you install the latest software – go to this page to download the latest.  Your validation code is on the CD sleeve.
2. When you have installed the software and you connect the GPS logger to the PC or Mac, go to “Settings”, and make sure you set the settings to the following, for best performance:  Mark by distance every 30 ft.  Turn power saving and waypoints off.  That’s it.
3. Under the “Software” tab under “Settings”, you can change the default directory for where the *.gps files are placed when you upload data from the logger.  The default location is NOT easy to find, so I recommend creating a folder for the GPS data that is in your MyDocuments etc.
4. Batteries (for the replaceable battery version).  DO NOT use the battery that came in the box – it probably is old, and besides, I have found that GPS devices perform well only with Lithium batteries.  Yes, they are expensive, but there is nothing more frustrating than going out and not having the data you expected.  Especially in GPS racing.
5. Battery door (replaceable version).  The battery door can occasionally pop open – what I have done is put a strip of electrical tape across it to make sure it never opens up while I’m out and about.
6. Placement.  Although I have had good success with the logger resting in a side pocket, water bladders above the logger will interfere with the signals.  Best placement is taped (electrical tape works well) to the top of the backpack shoulder strap.  Just a couple loops in the middle of the device is enough.

Infiterra Sports is excited to hold its fourth Michigan based Expedition Adventure Race to take place in northern lower Michigan May 12 – May 16, 2009. This will be a ~3.5 day expedition race encompassing the standard disciplines of adventure racing. The race will tour some of the most beautiful and remote ares that Northern Michigan has to offer.

TrackMe360 is providing GPS safety and tracking beacons to the 2009 Michigan Expedition Adventure Race.

Check out the Live Tracking!

Short Course Results

-Approximate distance (likely running distance): 8-9 mi.
-Approximate duration: 2 – 4 hrs
-Approximate vertical gain: 2,700 ft.

Medium Course Results

-Approximate distance (likely running distance): 11-12 mi.
-Approximate duration: 3 – 6 hrs
-Approximate vertical gain: 3,700 ft.

Long Course Results

-Approximate distance (likely running distance): 17-18 mi.
-Approximate duration: 5.5 – 11 hrs
-Approximate vertical gain: 6,000 ft.

To register your team, click here.

If you have any questions, please e-mail mats@trackme360.com

Registration is now closed for Mount Diablo (May-June 2009) – Results are final, and team routes published here.

Registration is now closed for 100 Lakes (June-July 2009) – Results are final and team routes published here.

Registration is now closed for Desolation (July-August 2009) – Results are final and team routes coming soon.

Registration is now closed for Silver Lake (August - September 2009) – Results are final and team routes coming soon.

2009 Schedule

What is a Mountain-O?

Mountain-O stands for Mountain Orienteering, and is losely defined as – a race where sequential checkpoints are visited by navigating a course with map and compass, and:

What is a TrackMe360 “Race”?

TrackMe360 offers training races to adventure racing, rogaine, orienteering and outdoor enthusiasts in the area.  Based on the principles of “Low Impact Racing”, these races are unlike any other.

Consider it an opportunity for a fun and challenging work-out in an amazingly scenic place – a place where you’d normally never get a permit approved for a race.  The course will bring out the best this area has to offer.  It’s a race, but not in the traditional sense.  The main difference is teams don’t race simultaneously, and that’s what allows us to race without permits, but a nice side benefit is that people can decide when they want to race (within the race duration), to fit their busy schedules.  CP markers will be minimal, just a small piece of bright orange flagging.  No pre-race meeting, no finish banner – just you and the mountain.  Could it be any more authentic?

OK I’m hooked – how does it work?

1. Order the TrackMe360 Race Kit ($99), along with your “almost free” $1 first race entry.  The race kit contains a small device that records your path (Gisteq GPS logger), and a plotting tool that helps you plot the courses using the UTM grid.  Your race entry contains the map for the race you entered.
2. Once you receive your race kit, install the software, configure the GPS logger, and reply to the race confirmation e-mail after you have selected your team mate(s) and chosen race date.
3. If this is your first time using the logger, familiarize yourself with the logger by running a test or two.
4. 2 days before your chosen race date you will receive course instructions/clues and checkpoint coordinates via e-mail.
5. Plot the course onto the map you received in the mail.
6. Google Earth scouting before racing is allowed.
7. On race day, GO RACE! – keeping the GPS logger on at all times, it will record your whole route.
8. When you get back, upload the GPS data to your computer’s Gisteq software.  Email the raw *.gps file to race@trackme360.com.
9. Within 24 hrs, your results will be posted on the TrackMe360 Adventure Zone page for the race you entered.
10. After the last day the race is “active”, the winning team is crowned, and all teams’ routes will be posted online on a map, for “post race analysis”.  We are also going to attempt to offer “Route Gadget” for the Mountain-O series as well.
11. This is all done under the “honor system”, and is considered a training race “with benefits”.

So what are you waiting for?  Get your race kit now, and join the fun!

If you have any questions, please e-mail mats@trackme360.com

***Get your Race Kit here***

In order to do a TrackMe360 GPS Race (Mountain-0, or any of the other navigation games that we are rolling out), you have to first purchase a “TrackMe360 Race Kit.  This kit contains the special gear and tools needed.  Once you have this kit, and have installed the software and configured the GPS logger, you can use it for every TrackMe360 event you decide to enter.  For more information about TrackMe360 “racing”, click here.

Why are we not “renting” the gear anymore?

It turns out the cost and administration involved in last years process was too high, so we had to make some changes to keep it simple, and keep the cost down.  And as an added bonus, you will have in your possession a very cool GPS device that can also be used for logging orienteering events into Route gadget, geo tag your pictures, etc.  Hopefully you will like our new process, which minimizes shipping back and forth, and puts you in control of the GPS data load.

What’s in the kit?

The race kit includes a GISTEQ GPS logger, a UTM plotting tool from AR NAV Supplies, and the map for your first race.  There are two different kits, based on your battery preference:

Race Kit – Rechargeable Battery ($99)

If you prefer having an internal, rechargeable battery, this is the kit for you:

The logger is the GISTEQ PhotoTrakr CD 111.  The internal battery lasts for approximately 30+ hours, and no need to buy batteries.

Race Kit – Replaceable Battery ($99) ***THIS KIT IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE***

If you prefer having the ability to replace batteries (for longer excurions away from electricity, for example) , this is the kit for you.  It uses standard AA Lithium batteries:

The logger is the GISTEQ PhotoTrakr DPL700. It uses a single AA Lithium battery.  One battery lasts about 24+ hrs.  Batteries can be replaced in the field.

Get your Kit now!

Race Kit with Rechargeable battery GPS logger

Race Kit with Replaceable battery GPS logger ***THIS KIT IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE***