I have more RacingThePlanet T shirts that you could shake a stick at. (I'm not sure why you would shake a stick at a T Shirt)

We have some fantastic race kit. Technical material, bright colours and big logos.  I always looked forward to seeing what kit we got.

There's a simple reason why we ony give volunteers one T Shirt, you would just end up with two smelly, dirty T Shirts. I'm always amazed that no matter how dirty they get, they always come up clean.

These are all my Atacama T Shirts;

Out of all the T Shirts I have the one below is my favorite, plain, beige and cotton, it's a classic. As you can see, this one is a bit like me, it's knackered. I'm taking it to this year's race for one last hoorah, may it rest in peace in San Pedro.

The Atacama is one of the most stunning places on the planet.

We have some of the best photographers and videotographers capturing images of the desert and the people. I have thousands on my computer.

The best images are usual taken at the most unusual times. 

These are two of my favorites.

The first one is David Jacko, a previous volunteer who turned to the dark side to complete the 2018 Atacama.

The second is Erin Leighty and Vladmi Dos Santos. Erin was guiding Vladmi who is a blind competitor.

I was priviledged to be at this race, it was awe inspiring to watch their story unfold.

I have to confess to getting some smoke in my eyes at the banquet when I saw this iamge.

So if you see a photographer, just be yourself, that's the person we all want to see.

It's a long way from Manchester to San Pedro, it's a taxi, three planes and a taxi. I leave my bag with some kind Manc and hope a nice Chilean will give it me back in Santiago. Sometimes yes, sometimes no!

What I find amazing is how many times I bump into people on the way to a race. In fairness, they are usually quite easy to spot; trainers with velcro stitiched on, a back pack with empty water bottles. These are the  well prepared ones. I often bump into people who have packed all their race gear in their luggage, they usually spot me first as I am invariably wearing RTP gear, fleece, T shirt or Jacket, or all three. Whenever I see these people I get really worried for them. One question;

"WHAT WILL YOU DO WHEN YOUR LUGGAGE DOESN'T TURN UP?"

The earliest I have bumped into a competitor is at the check in at Manchester airport, this time it was two things I noticed, a back pack with bottles and wearing flip flops. Luckily I was able to remind them not to leave their running shoes in their checked luggage.

My best tip is; if you don't think you can replace it in San Pedro or you are really precious about it,

"DON'T LEAVE IT IN YOUR CHECKED LUGGAGE"

If you do and the inevitable  happens, you can always see if they have one of these stores in San Pedro

They say "one volunteer is better than 10 pressed men". Racing the planet volunteers are the best in the world.

Is it harder to be a vounteer or a competitor. It's not a question of harder, it's just different. Both disciplines have their difficulties. It can be easily described in this ananlogy; 

Being a competitor is like being single! You generally only have to think about yourself.

Being a volunteer is like being married with kids! Your day is preoccupied with everybody else before you get around to yourself.

As a competitor I was aware of the volunteers and appreciative of what they did, but I had very little idea  of how they did it. I was shocked how tired I was when I first volunteered. Long days foccussed on someone else. The rewards are enormous. You get a front row seat (stand) at the greatest races on the planet. It's a roller coaster of emotions as you get involved with the competitors, helping them to achieve their dreams. On some days you get to hang out at the most wonderful checkpoints, all day.

I've been at a checkpoint;

- on a beach in the Namib,

- at a railway station in Sri Lanka,

- in the middle of the white desert in the Sahara,

- by a volcanic crater with a lake in it, in Ecuador,

- by a glacier in Iceland

- in someone's garden in Sri Lanka, Ayubowan

- in the middle of the largest sand dunes on the skeleton coast in Namibia,

- in a rainforest in Patagonia

- and my all time favourite, under a bush at Beter in the Atacama Desert. 

There are only 31 days before the race starts and 25 days before I arrive in San Pedro.

As with Jim Steele, I have "the wife" and she has already started her lists. She says that she hasn't packed but the reality is she has got everything out and then put it in a box rather than her case, she's fooling nobody; she's packed.

We pack light these days, preferring to buy some food and snacks in San Pedro. The essentials are done, Expedition Foods and good coffee, the rest is optional.

When I look at the meals and coffee it's interesting to think about where I will be when I'm enjoying them. The camp sites in the Atacama are spectacular. 

We have a fantastic camp team who never fail to provide a world class service in the remotest of places.

They are also very talented entertainers and always up for a sing song.

I'm usually in a meeting while all this is going on, but it's great to hear it all in the background.

Like competitors, volunteers need to put some training in as well.

At the competitor briefing I get to talk about all things lavatorial. You need to get into the zone before you stand up and give a talk.

Here is my reading list so that I can prepare for this monumental 3 minutes at this year's Atacama Crossing.

I hope the talk inspires you to poo in the right place.

If you want to have a good time after the race, find out where the Doctors are hanging out, but be warned.

In 2006 Dr Jay Sharp and his "awesome" crew held a a little drinks party around the pool at Thaka Thaka. It was an informal affair, a sort of "come as you are" event. They provided everything, including assistance with getting in the pool, no need or time to change.

Play hard or go home.

Top Gun was released in 1986, ever since then I have been filling in time whilst I wait for the sequel. Top Gun: Maverick is due out in July 2020, so not long to go. The waiting has been a labour of several loves. 

I don't do things by half, I'm either doing it or I'm not.

I have never "tried" anything.

Truth be known, I'm a bit of a T shirt collector. In the 33 years since Maverick and Goose came into my life; I have felt the need. 

I need variety, I like a challenge, in 2004 Racing the Planet came into my life. The perfect platform for my addictive personality, lots of T shirts. A huge variety of opportunities to make a complete and utter idiot of myself. It's a bit like golf, no matter how hard I practise and no matter how many races I go to, it's impossible to get it right. I have vowed to continue until I get one right.

 In 42 days I will be in San Pedro for the 7th time.

If you're going to the Atacama Crossing and you've never been before, I have some observations. Whether you are a competitor or a part of the staff. Short, pithy, sometimes useful (wow! I just described myself) but always fun.

More to come..............

A really random fact, I've never been to the Atacama in an odd numbered year.

As I suffer from CDO, that's the same as OCD but in alphabetical order, the odd number is causing me stress.

This is the magical street of Caracoles, the centre of everything San Pedro. It presents me with lots of issues with my CDO, too many people, the road is dusty and uneven, there are dogs in the street, there appears to be no rules, everybody's smiling.

.

I love this place. If you can walk down Caracoles and not feel the buzz, you have a problem.

In "normal" life I find most people very disappointing, I tend to avoid them at all costs, and they seem to do likewise. 

Racing the Planet people are totally different. It's hard to grasp that they're all great people. In my experience I've not met many that I wouldn't want to call a friend.

The management, the volunteers, the doctors, the drivers, and the camp team. It's like one big team, all playing the same game, to the same rules with the sam aim; to help the competitors achieve their dreams.

The Atacama is very special, finish line and then the bar with my good friend and fellow biker Fernando. The man is an absolute nutcase. Riding a motorbike across that terrain in that heat, everyday. I can't wait to catch up with him again.

Neither Fernando or I are in this picture, we're probably in the bar already

Asking me which race is the best is liking asking which of my kids is the best. So whilst Charley and Nathan argue about their individual merits, I can tell you that the Atacama Crossing is my favourite of all the races.

Does that mean that I don't like the other races? Hell no, we are talking about small margins here but I have several reasons for my choice.

I believe that the race delivers the best all round experience.

The host town, San Pedro is a magical place.

The locals are wonderful people.

The food and wine is exceptional, although it is difficult to find a portion of fries at 2 o'clock in the morning (Zeana).

You can get a great espresso.

The night skies are spectacular.

The Valle de la Luna is mind blowing.

There is a short transfer time to Camp 1.

The race finish in the town centre is tremendous, it's short walk to the hotel, which can take several hours due to the bar hopping.

Interstingly I didn't have the same opinion as a competitor. Don't let all these nicey niecy comments lull you into a false sense of security. This is a brutal race. The altitude takes your breathe away, the heat is biblical and the terrain is like walking around someone's rockery for a week. I hated being a competitor here. I was short, fat and old in those days, not like I am now; short, fat and older.

In 2006 the race was in July. Stinking hot in the day, below freezing at night. Day 3 across the Alma land to Camp 4 by the farm, was one the toughest race days, ever.

The Salt Flats on Day 4 were horrendous.

It was going back as a volunteer that cemented this race at the top of my list. I have stayed in many hotels in the town and never been disappointed. Thaka Thaka is my favourite.

I only have one Racing the Planet picture on the wall at home.......

I was a butt clenchingly poor competitor, but I passed mandatory equipment check everytime.

I love competitor check and I particularly love the mandatory equipment check. A clearly defined list of parameters, easily measured performance, no subjectivity, that really appeals to my OCD.

This year's Atacama Equipment List is very straight forward, what could possibly go wrong.

The skill is getting it all in your back pack and to keep the weight below 10 kilos. A skill I never pocessed as a competitor. I used to pack "just in case" I had two of everything. I bought quality kit, stuff that would last a life time. I'm still using some of the kit that I bought for my first race in the Sahara 2005, I have the; watch, whistle, fork and spoon set, cup, red light, headlamp, compass, sleeping mat. They're all indestructable.

My bag weighed in excess of 15 kilos, without water; OUCH!

My top 10 tips for equipment check

1. read the equipment list, we give good advice
2. play with the kit before you get to San Pedro
3. don't bring any food, snacks or electrolytes that you haven't tried in anger
4. do a spreadsheet for your food and snacks, show the weight and calories
5. buy the loudest whistle you can, if you ever need it, you'll be glad you did
6. you need three lights, two head lamps and a flashing red light
7. bring enough bottles to caryy 2.5 litres, you will need it in this race
8. you need a Bivvy BAG not a BLANKET
9. bring all your kit to check in, telling us it's in your room is hilarious
10. if you'renot sure, ASK, we are here to help

Top 10 great excuses, NOT

1. Sam said it was alright
2. Mary said it was alright
3. I've used it on other races
4. I've done lots of races and never had one
5. I don't use pain medication
6. I don't wear sunglasses
7. I don't use much suncream
8. I don't feel the cold
9. it's in my room
10. I know I have one somewhere

I once checked the kit of a member of the Sri Lankan Special Forces. We were at Camp 1 and it was 11:30 on the night before the race start. He was accompanied by his Captain who was carrying an AK47 assault rifle. He stood calmly watching and smiling as I checked the kit. I asked the Captain, "if he fails the check, who get's shot, him or me?" He just smiled. He passed.