Find your way to tag the 7 highest peaks of Andorra in a row.70km & close to 7,000m of vert! 5th Edition next October 5th!
Check the 2019 PROVISIONAL ENTRY LIST
Background
Els 2900 is a run over the seven highest peaks of Andorra — all above 2,900m of altitude — from hut to hut. The first completion of the route took place on October 19th of 2013, when Carles Rossell and Matt Lefort linked the Coma Pedrosa and the Riu dels Orris huts after 20 hours and 40min (NtoS route).
The Course
You can choose your own route between summits, but the most practical routes have been estimated to be roughly 70K and 6,700m of vertical. You will tag Pic de Coma Pedrosa (2,944m), Roca Entravessada (2,928m), Pic de l’Estanyó (2,915m), Pic de Medacorba (2,913m), Pic de la Serrera (2,912m), Pic de la Portelleta (2,905m) and Pic de Font Blanca (2,904m). We also added mandatory checkpoints for safety purpose: Refugi Illa, Refugi de Sorteny, Font Blanca SE Couloir (Canal Secreta) and Coma d’Arcalís.
09:00 — Check-In, drop bags delivery and storage of your personal belongings
10:30 — Bus departure
11:00 — Start of the approach hike to Refugi Estanys de la Pera (approx 3 hours)
14:00 — Complimentary lunch
18:00 — Race briefing and BIB number hand-out
20:00 — Complimentary dinner
23:45 — Race check-in, weather forecast update
Saturday, October 5th
00:00 — Race starts!
20:00 — Complimentary dinner at the finish line
Sunday, October 6th
00:00 — End of the race
09:00 — Complimentary breakfast, Drop bags delivery
10:00 — Presentation of awards
10:30 — Start of the hike back (approx 1 hour)
12:00 — Bus pickup in Arinsal
12:30 — Showers, drop bags recovery, personal belongings recovery
Location
The check-in will take place at Canalbonne in Ordino on Friday, October 4th at 9am.
Entry Process
You can fill your application here before January, 31st of 2019 at 23:59.
The race directors will study all applications carefully before to release a provisional entry list two weeks later.
FAQ
Q: Which race can serve as a qualifier for Els 2900?
A: Els 2900 does not require a qualifier, however we will give special attention to people who have successfully completed one of these events:
– Pirinenc Clàssic (AND);
– Picapica (FRA);
– Travesera Picos de Europa (ESP);
– Glen Coe Skyline (SCO);
– Trofeo KIMA (ITA);
– Monte Rosa Skymarathon (ITA).
Q: What covers the entry fee?
A: The 250 EUR per participant covers a full board in mountain hut from Friday, October 4th (lunch) to Sunday, October 6th (breakfast). It also covers:
– all aid stations;
– transportation from and to Llorts, Ordino;
– the loan of an outdoor smartphone tied to a 3G/4G sim card;
– a team of professionals managed by UIAGM-certified mountain guide Jordi Tosas;
– a finisher prize.
Q: Is there any extra cost on top of the entry fee?
No. In the past, participants had to wire the money via a bank transfer. Since 2017, the payment is completed online using a credit card, avoiding expensive bank fees.
Q: Are the flags marking the course gone for real?
A: Yes they are. Each team will get an outdoor smartphone tied to a 3G/4G sim card. Each phone has the GPS track pre-loaded as well as a list of checkpoints to validate along the course.
Q: Why remove the flags on such an event?
A: We want Els 2900 to be a real adventure. Participants must know how to orientate themselves in the mountains. The race doesn’t start on the starting line, it starts now, reading maps, studying the terrain, reading old race reports. Skills matters. Also, we highly respect the mountains and each meter of flag is a risk of pollution if blown away by the wind, hidden by snow…
Q: Is there a cutoff time?
A: Yes, all teams have 24 hours to connect the 7 peaks from Refugi Estanys de la Pera to Refugi Coma Pedrosa.
Q: Is the Cresta dels Malhiverns still part of the course?
A: It is not mandatory but any team managing to get to Roca Entravessada by 17:30 will be allowed to tacle that ridge. The Organizers will add a 45 (forty five) minutes penalty time for each team not completing the Cresta dels Malhiverns ridge.
Entry List
The 25 teams selected for this event will be announced on February 15th, 2019!
Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. PLEASE READ AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE ON THIS SITE BEFORE CONSIDERING ENTERING ONE OF OUR EVENTS. THEY ARE TOUGH!
