The Order of the Aoudad is a unique challenge where the emphasis is on vertical gain and self sufficiency rather than distance or speed. This is a select group within which the members have shown that they can move in the mountains, but do not need to be mountaineers per se. This group is geared towards ultrarunners, fast packers, and ultra endurance mountain hikers. We've structured the rules such that you can test your mettle in various formats with varying levels of difficulty. Whether the events be a standard mountain 100K or 100M with aid station support and marked course or if they are semi-autonomous with gps navigation, the events that meet the requirements will signify your commitment to hiking uphill. These events build upon one another allowing the "everyman" to progess his or her skills in a deliberate and safe manner. We encourage anyone who's looking for what's next to consider meeting the requirements of the order, and joining our ranks.  


Order of the Aoudad Rules:

Applicant Requirements for the 4 Events:

1. A standard 100k(+) race with minimum 30,000ft gain or more.
2. Nolans 14 - 72 hrs time limit. (Must provide full GPS tracking)*
3. One race with 65,000ft gain or more, 145 miles or more, with standard aid stations and marking.
4. One race with 65,000ft gain or more, 145 miles or more, must be semi-autonomous, gps navigated.
5. For Rule 1,3,4 a more difficult race may be substituted for an easier event.
6. FKT style creations will not be considered.*
7. Badwater style crewed events will not be considered.*
8. Stage race events will not be considered, all clocks must be continuous.
9. Select non-traditional events, such as a Barkley style organized challenge could be approved
  by the committee, as long as they satisfy Rule 4, however only one event
  of this style would be accepted of the required 4 events.(*)(**)
10. It is the applicants responsibility to ensure their events comply with the rules.
11. Membership is open to any applicant who completes four events under the rules regardless of prior achievements,  

 

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What are the Benefits to Being an Aoudad Member:

1. Membership is free if you meet the requirements.
2. You'll be listed on the website with your events that allowed membership on the Member page.
3. As an applicant, we'll put links on the site's Candidate page, to your blog, social media, etc.
  so we can see your progress, interested persons can see your training, etc...  
4. You'll receive a plaque and Hardrock style poster at no cost if you meet the requirements.

5. You'll receive a one year supply of Trail-Toes Anti Friction Cream and blister kit.


Rule 1 Suggested Events:

Ehunmilak   - 36,098ft vert
Hardrock    - 33,000ft vert
Cruel Jewel - 33,000ft vert
Ouray 100   - 41,000ft vert
Teanaway 100 - 31,000ft vert
Tahoe 200   - 40,000ft vert
Bigfoot 200 - 42,000ft vert
UTMB        - 32,800ft vert
HKFTU       - 45,900ft vert
PicaPica     - 37,729ft vert
Val D'Aran  - 34,450ft vert


Required Event for Rule 2:

Nolans14    - 162K/100m - 13,411m/44,000ft - self aid*, gps


Suggested Events for Rule 3:

TOR       -      330k/205m - 24,000m/78,740ft - standard aid, marked
Swiss Peak- 360k/223m - 26,500m/86,942ft - standard aid, marked


Suggested Events for Rule 4:

Eiger 250 * - 250k/155m - 20,000m/65,616ft - self aid*, gps
PTL       - 300k/186m - 25,000m/82,021ft - self aid*, gps
TJAR      - 415k/257m - 26,662m/87,473ft - self aid*, gps
TOR Glacier - 450k/295m - 32,000m/104,986ft  self aid*, gps

Euforia   - 233k/145m - 20,000m/65,616ft - self aid*, gps  - This event no longer exists.


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Rule Explanations:

* - Rule 2 - Publish your attempt, live GPS tracking, be forthright. It's on your honor. But we'll need your track anyway.                            Additionally, as the committee determines in the future, other Nolan's 14 style traverses may be  

                   added/substituted. However, only one event would be required, Nolan's, or a specifically listed, list of 

                   traverse options could be substituted.

* - Rule 6 - This rule was created to exclude one off, arbitrary concepts, however difficult except as published in the Rule

                    2 exception above.

* - Rule 7 - This rule was created to exclude an event like Brazil 135. Although 30K vert, it's too much support.

* - self aid - This means arranged by yourself such as crew meeting you at a few spots on Nolan's line, or 50L drop bags

                      in events for Rule 4, if the event has Life Stations, that aid is allowed. This is not meant to be

                      interpreted as self-contained. Under suggested events for Rule 4 the allowed races rules for support,

                      including purchased on course, should be followed. In the case of Nolan's cached supplies are not allowed.  
* - Rule 9 - This could be Barkley, Chartreuse Terminorum, Highlander 100.

** -Rule 9 - The committee recognizes that the published vert/distance under Rule 4 for Barkley and Highlander is not

                    65,000ft or 145+ miles but we are waiving this requirement for these 2 events.

 

* - The Eiger 250 must be completed in the team of 2 or 3 and candidate must complete the whole circuit. No relay  

      option is accepted.


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Example Event Combinations:
 

1. Ehunmilak/Eiger250/Nolans/PTL
2. PicaPica/Nolans/PTL/TOR
3. Eiger250/Nolans/UTMB/Swiss Peaks
4. Cruel Jewel/Nolans/Eiger250/Swiss Peaks
5. Ehunmilak/Nolans/PTL/TOR