Hernando de Sotos expedition was led into Tsala Apopka (a.k.a Cove - TopicsExpress

Hernando de Sotos expedition was led into Tsala Apopka (a.k.a Cove of the Withlacoochee, a.k.a. Swamp of Ocale) during the Summer of 1539 by hostage Native American guides who hoped the expedition would become disoriented, lost and become easy prey for an ambush. Their plan failed! Tsala Apopka was a hideout and stronghold for Native Americans during the Second Seminole War. They were flushed out after repeatedly attacked by Federal Troops during 1836. Their plan failed! Inverted Armadillo Rogue Racing has set an indomitable Twelve Points Adventure Challenge Course in Tsala Apopka that will stymie the most adroit team as well as a one motivated by the promise of a $1000 Pangea Adventure Race Credit. My plan will not fail! The Tsala Apopka Twelve Points Adventure Challenge is a FREE, Three–Segment (Trek, Paddle and Bike), 128 km Mock Adventure Race requiring navigation by map and compass through wilderness and rural areas via bicycle, canoe or kayak and on foot to the four checkpoints within each segment. The Tsala Apopka Twelve Points Adventure Challenge begins early Saturday morning, July 19, 2014 at the Start/Finish/Transition at the Turner Camp Boat Ramp, 9460 East Turner Camp Road (CR581), Inverness, Florida 34453 (UTM NAD83 17R 375537E, 3198083N). The Tsala Apopka Twelve Points Adventure Challenge is designed so teams of any size or composition can complete as much or as little of the course as they want in order to exploit their strengths and improve their weaknesses. The course has No Mandatory Checkpoints and Teams can Proceed through the three segments in any order and obtain the four checkpoints within a segment In any Sequence. Travel Within a Segment must be accomplished by the means stipulated and each segment can be completed in approximately 4 hours (12 hours for the entire course). Teams Cannot Return to a previously completed segment and GPS–Assisted Navigation is discouraged except as a last resort or when rescue or self–rescue is necessary. There is No Mandatory Gear or Equipment Requirement. However, teams must provide everything (e.g., map case, writing instrument, food, water, lights, glow sticks, lighter, space blanket, emergency shelter, boats, paddles, personal flotation devices, helmets, harnesses, bicycles, cordage, bike repair kit, whistle, first aid kit, compass, UTM tool, pack, clothing, shoes, gloves, knife, cell phone, watch, GPS receiver, batteries, etc.) necessary to safely negotiate the Tsala Apopka Twelve Points Adventure Challenge course. Teams can secure vehicles, tools, gear, equipment, boats, bikes, food, water and various other supplies at the Start/Finish/ Transition and return as often as they like. There are no facilities (e.g., water or toilet) available at the Start/ Finish/Transition. At check–in, teams will receive a pre–plotted, black and white photocopy, 1:24,000–scale topographic map and the specific instructions for their choice of either the 26 km Trek Segment, 20 km Paddle Segment or 82 km Bike Segment. After completing the first segment and returning to the Start/Finish/Transition, teams will receive a pre–plotted, black and white photocopy, 1:24,000–scale topographic map and the specific instructions for their second segment choice. After completing the second segment and returning to the Start/Finish/Transition, teams will receive a pre–plotted, black and white photocopy, 1:24,000–scale topographic map with the specific instructions for their third segment choice. An unmarked, full–color, 36 x 48 inch, 1:24,000–scale topographic map of the entire Tsala Apopka Twelve Points Adventure Challenge course printed on waterproof paper is available from MyTopo for $29.95. The specific instructions for each segment appears similar to a multiple choice test and consists of a question with several possible answers that can be resolved after locating the prominent landmark, topographical feature or unique object found at the corresponding UTM coordinates. Final Team Ranking for the Tsala Apopka Twelve Points Adventure Challenge will be based on Total Accumulated Points and Cumulative Time on Course will be used as a tiebreaker. Teams will be assessed a One Point Penalty (–1) for every 15 minutes they remain on the course beyond 1900, Saturday, July 19, 2014. Teams can Double Their Total Accumulated Points by correctly completing any segment; Triple Their Total Accumulated Points by correctly completing any two segments; and, Quadruple Their Total Accumulated Points by correctly completing all three segments. Bonus multiples will be calculated and applied to a team’s Total Accumulated Points prior to the subtraction of any penalty. The first team to complete the entire Tsala Apopka Twelve Points Adventure Challenge Course on Saturday, July 19, 2014 WINS a $1000 Pangea Adventure Race Credit. Each member of a team that submits a $25.00 donation and a corresponding size request by Sunday, June 29, 2014 will receive a T–shirt with the Twelve Points Adventure Challenge – Inverted Armadillo Rogue Racing logo.