I realize LBL is still fresh on everyone’s mind, but today I want to talk about the CAC. Luke and I have been hard at work selecting CP’s for this year’s non-race, and yesterday we went out to see how the course flowed. Since he couldn’t get there until later in the day, I took the opportunity to hit Cedar Creek in my Flytepacker. Hiking upstream afforded me the opportunity to take in some of what I think is a beautiful landscape.

For those who just want to get out and walk in the woods, the Cedar Creek area has a lot to offer. It’s easy to get carried away taking photos.  I’d say this one is postcard-worthy:

First person to send me a postcard with this photo gets into the Cedar Cross for free

A game trail lead to a low-lying area where woodland critters cross the creek:

This photo shows one fully inflated Flytepacker, one inflated bedroll for an ass-pillow, and all my other stuff, (including backpack), in the drybag attached to the back of the boat. I made sure the water was deep enough to float, then headed downstream:

Looking downstream

 There are few things more relaxing than floating downstream in a packraft. I bet you’re wondering what I used for a paddle..

Super fancy packrafting paddles are available at your local Dollar General for about $3

I was nearly back to the truck when Luke and I made contact. I sent him up a re-entrant to checkpoint “waterfall” and found a place to take the boat out. Most of the creekbank is mud, but I got lucky and found this beach-type area to use for a takeout.

I'm pretty sure this is the rock face locals refer to as the "Redneck Waterpark". I'm told that people jump from it when the water is high.

Luke and I spent the next 1-2 hours scouting the first O-section of the CAC. I don’t want to give away too many CAC details, but in the interest of recruiting more non-racers, I’ll offer a couple photos:

Wet weather waterfall

Even the best photos don’t do justice to how gorgeous these areas look in real life. For example, you probably can’t tell from looking at this photo that I am INCHES away from a vertical drop that would mean certain death for anyone foolish enough to take another step:

Don't miss the CAC

In the very-near future, we’re gonna be ordering maps for the CAC. Expenses add up pretty quick when you’re putting on a free race, so we’d REALLY like it if you would RSVP in the comments section or send us an email. Do it quick, cuz this is one CAC you’ll never forget. And if Don Daly show up, it’ll be the cheapest CAC he’s ever gotten. (Couldn’t resist)