Embark Volunteer Handbook.

Updated 1/8/2025

2025 Schedule

Things to Know

Getting There

Google won’t get you there, but the Mapkin will!

  1. From Cook, head Northwest on Hwy 53.

  2. Turn RIGHT onto Ashawa/ 115, then Immediate LEFT onto Wood.

  3. Follow Wood to the T intersection with Olson. DON’T GO LEFT!

  4. Turn RIGHT, cross the railroad tracks, then turn LEFT onto the new section of Wood Road. Follow Wood to the T intersection with Winnifred Road.

  5. Turn RIGHT onto Winnifred & follow it all the way back to the parking space.

General Info

The Checkpoint

We are crewing the Embark Oasis, the third and final checkpoint on the Arrowhead 135 route. We are at Mile ~110 of the 135 mile course, with cell service & near the Cook hospital if the need should arise.

Our Role

The racers’ health & safety are their responsibility; we are a resource to check in on them.  If someone seems unfit to continue but insists on going back out, call Ken.

The Racers

Unsupported racers can warm at the outside fire, but not take water or warm up in the tent.  However if they are in a dangerous situation, their health is more important than finishing.

Supported racers can warm up in the tent, take water, Embark Hydration, Maple Steamers & Embark packs. The hot tent is a good space to assess their ability to continue & address any issues.

Take care of yourself.  Take care of each other.  Take care of the racers.  BE GOOD ENERGY!

Cold Weather Safety

These are general guides to review, but are not a replacement for medical training. If you see concerning symptoms, alert someone with medical training. There is a hospital in Cook we can transport folks to.

Plan Your Adventure

GEAR:

Arrowhead is cold.  Really cold. The only time we’ve managed to freeze our Maple Energy was at Arrowhead.  Know your body, know your gear, keep yourself safe. Check out the racer gear list!

FOOD:

We will have grilled cheeses, tomato soup (vegan), and hot Maple Steamers for volunteers (not racers). Please bring your own dishes (bowl, spoon, cup) as we do not have the ability to wash dishes at the check point. There are restaurants, pizza places and a grocery store in Cook on the off-chance you’d like something other than another grilled cheese.

Shelter:

We will have a bonfire and two hot tents to warm up in, one primarily for racers, a smaller one for Team Embark. The tents are a great place to shake a chill or catch a quick rest, but won’t work as a primary sleeping option- we recommend arranging lodging.

There is a nice little motel in Cook, the Vermilion Hotel, just a few miles from the checkpoint, as well as numerous cabins and lodges in the area.

There is some space near the Embark Oasis if you have a winter camping set-up, but (I’m going to be Mom here) please take care of yourself, it’s no-joke kind of cold, or sloppy-wet or both, back and forth.  Camp at your own risk and please please be safe!

Roles: Check in

1. Check all racers in and out of the checkpoint

2. Text a photo of check in/out times to Russ hourly

3. Check in with the racers to make sure they are fit to continue. 

  • Their health & safety are their responsibility; we are a resource to check in on them.

  • Racers suffering frostbite/ hypothermia may not be fully aware of their impairment. 

  • Check for signs of frostbite: white, waxy or dark exposed skin

  • Check for signs of hypothermia: impaired movement, cold w/out shivering, confusion

  • Questions to ask to assess their ability to continue can include: > How are you feeling?  Do you feel disoriented or confused? > Are you cold, but have stopped shivering? > Wiggle each of your toes and fingers. Are there any areas you are worried about? > How do you feel about continuing?  Do you need a break before heading back out?

Cook Hospital: (218) 666-5945

Unsupported racers can warm at the outside fire, but not take water or warm up in the tent.  However if they are in a dangerous situation, their health is more important than finishing.

Supported racers can warm up in the tent, take water, Embark Hydration, Maple Steamers & Embark packs. The hot tent is a good space to assess their ability to continue & address any issues.

If someone seems potentially unfit to continue but insists on going back out, call Ken.

Roles: Stoker

1. Keep three fires burning safely- Bonfire, Big Butch Hot Tent, Little Butch Hot Tent

2. Keep tiki torches & ice lanterns burning

3. Keep all camp lights operational; check on backup tiki fuel, batteries, etc.

4. Take care of all fire-keeping supplies: dry wood, tinder, etc. Let B&E know if we are low on any supplies.

5. Manage Big Butch Hot Tent- Keep it ORGANIZED, STOCKED & TIDY

6. Be an eternal flame of GOOD ENERGY for the racers!  You are the primary STOKER!

  • While Stoking, check in with them to make sure they are OK to continue. Racers suffering frostbite/ hypothermia may not be fully aware of their impairment. 

  • Check for signs of frostbite: white, waxy or dark exposed skin

  • Check for signs of hypothermia: impaired movement, cold w/out shivering, confusion

7. Fireworks! Cow Bell!  Cartwheels and cheering and all the best things! Stoke Stoke Stoke!!!

Skills/ info to share:

  • Fire keeping, both in a wood stove w/ damper & outdoor bonfire are different & can be nuanced- Take some time to get to know the different fires & how to keep them operating at their best.

  • Folks will try to put their gear on the woodstove.  We’ll have drying racks, but stoves are super hot & we don’t want their gear to get melted! Help racers get their gear dried without the stink of melting socks.

Roles: Provisions

1. Keep cambros full of warm water, Elderberry Hydration & Maple Steamer for racers

  • Make sure the temp is safe to drink (not too hot) by rotating pots on the stove. Keep water pots covered to prevent condensation in the hot tents.

  • Keep spouts from freezing, check regularly

  • Use the heavy-bottomed kettle for milk only

2. Keep camp water jugs from freezing- keep them in the hot tent if it’s really cold, check them regularly.

4. Have hot soup, grilled cheese & snacks ready for our crew (not racers). Use wood stoves for heating if propane starts to freeze up. Grilling cheeses every 4-ish hours seems to work well.

5. Manage Provisions Tent- keep dairy stuff from getting into non-dairy stuff, organize, etc.

6. Monitor & change out propane tanks as needed.  If conditions are really cold, propane tanks may freeze up even if they are full.  Keep back-up tanks ready.

Skills/ info to know & share:

  • Propane: Changing out canisters, identify if they are empty or freezing, keeping them safe

  • Stoves & griddle tops: Lighting, cooking in cold temps (keep the grilled cheeses covered!)

  • Kitchen cleanliness, organization, allergen safety (keeping dairy utensils separate from non-dairy)