How many divisions are there for the competition? What are they?

• Open - eligible to paddle class I-V runs
• Class V - eligible to paddle class V-, V, V+ runs
• Class IV - eligible to paddle class I-IV runs
• Class III - eligible to paddle class I-III runs
• Weekend Warriors - eligible to paddle class I-V runs. The ten best days as a team will be totaled to determine which Weekend Warrior team has the most vertical feet.

What is the difference between the Open Division and the Class V Division?

• All runs are eligible in the Open Division (for example all Class I-V runs). The Class V Only Division only includes V-, V, V+ runs. The Class V Only division caters to teams that are into multi-day expedition style paddling. If you're not sure then you probably want the Open Division.

How many days can each division paddle?

• Open, Class V Only, Class IV, and Class III compete for 32 days.
• Weekend Warrior compete for the 10 best days as a team, so they should coordinate days to maximize their team score.

When are the event dates?

• Sunrise of May 15th to Sunset June 15th.

Can I enter runs in EddyFlower during the competition?

• Definitely. Use the following link: http://www.eddyflower.com/Protected/EditRun.aspx

Does my team have to be in the same state?

• No. Team members can register from any state and paddle any river that is listed on EddyFlower.

How soon after I run a section of river do I need to enter my runs?

• As soon as possible. Teams are pumped to check the standings and rally based on standings so please try to enter laps as real-time as possible. Must enter runs within 48 hours.

Is the Vertical Challenge open to paddlers in other states?

• Yes, however all run descriptions must be on Eddyflower. Each run must have a put-in elevation and take-out elevation to be eligible.

Are two team members required to earn vertical feet on a run?

• No, however no soloing is allowed. So as long as one team member and another paddler paddle the run together the team member can earn vertical feet toward that run.

How many times can a team run one run?

• The cap on a run is 5 runs per team member. So each member of the team can run one run a max of 5 times. Ex. 5 team members can run Gore Canyon 5 times each for a total 25 total runs per team.

Okay, so what about class? Everyone describes Gore as being class IV with just Gore and Tunnel being the V's. So can Gore count for a run in the II-IV category? There are a lot of borderline runs like this that are hard to classify.

• Great question! Eddyflower only lists the overall difficulty for each run so that makes it easy for the Vertical Challenge ie it is what it is. So in answer to you question, if your registered in the Class IV Division Gore would not be eligible given its difficulty is currently listed at V-. However, that difficulty is questionable and I think we should come up with a list of questionable runs and get consensus on whether the difficulties are accurate or should be changed.

Can teams do simultaneous runs on different rivers? For example, in the same day, can 2 people run Left Hand Creek while the other 3 are running the Animas?

• Yes

Do you have to always paddle with a member of your team and is the option available to split up and paddle with other friends?

• You do not have to paddle with a member of your team, however you CANNOT paddle solo and you must be accompanied by another paddle to earn credit for the run. Safety first...

Do we earn the vertical feet per person? So if everyone on the team runs Gore 5 times then they earn 358 vertical feet/run or 1790/person (5) and 8950/team (25)?

• Yes, you earn vertical feet per person which is rolled up into a team total. The Vertical Challenge is a team event. The team with most vertical feet wins. However, the individual who raises the most donations will win a Dagger boat.

Can anyone attend the awards party or do you have to be registered in the event?

• The awards party is open to all.

How can I get help finding some team-mates?

• Create a new post on the EddyFlower General Forum saying you are looking for team mates in a specific division (Open, Class V, Class IV, Class III, Weekend Warrior) and we can help you out.

Are donations to First Descents tax deductible?

• Absolutely. 100% deductible.

How do I raise funds for First Descents?

• You can ask friends, family, co-workers and business to sponsor you per foot, per foot capped at a maximum, or a flat amount.

What is the most successful way to raise donations?

• Through a personal letter. See example at the following link: Ambassador Fundraising Package.doc

Who should the donation checks be made out to?

• First Descents

What if I don’t see my question in here?

• Easy enough. E-mail us at: info@eddyflower.com

Will there be a Vertical Challenge video created of the competition?

• Oh yeah! Teams can send video and photo clips to brian@eddyflower.com. The video will be played at the awards party and all teams will receive a copy!

How do we enter runs if we our team is out on a trip with no internet access and we are outside the 48 hour guideline?

• The best way would be to give a call to someone back at home (friend, wife, husband, girlfriend, etc) who has access to your team log-in information. Quickly show someone before you go on a trip how easy it is to enter runs. Call them to request inputting the run data.

Does each team have to have a team captain?

• Yes. To ensure consistent communication between EddyFlower and all teams, one person will need to take the captain role. Responsibilities will be: discussing aspects of the competition before Sunrise on May 15th, ensuring all team members have paid insurance costs, getting all waivers filled out and returned before comp starts, any run clarification, submission of photos and video …