Discussion: US Champs in Buena Vista

FYI: I don't know what is going on in Buena Vista in August but hotel rooms are scarce. The Best Western was booked and I'm paying big bucks in the Super 8.

Duh, it is the US Orienteering Championships! You don't think the media people are going to be roughing it?

Is there camping available?

There is KOA camp right by. See the event web site for info.

Darn O paparazzi! They constantly hassle me at events and the airport and now they're taking all the hotel rooms.

BTW, there are smaller hotels around but you have do some web digging. Also, I found more hotels in Salido which is about 12 mi south of Buena Vista. I haven't had time check the availability of these other options.

Sergey is correct about the KOA, which happens to also be the planned Finish for Day 2 courses at the US Classic Champs. I believe (but will have to double check) that we have reserved a number of RV sites plus some cabins at the KOA.

Buena Vista doesn't have a whole lot in the way of motels, and while I don't know of anything special going on the week of the US Champs, it *is* up in the mountains and given that it's summertime, there are always going to be a lot of people up there on the weekends rafting, hiking, biking, etc.

And Tom is quite right, too. There are a good number of motel options in the Salida/Poncha Springs area, which is about 25 miles down the road--not so bad. Leadville is a little further off going in the other direction, but will also offer some motel options.

Salida is cheaper, unless you get a speeding ticket like I did.

There are numerous US National Forest primitive campgrounds just west of Buena Vista. Very scenic and cheap. We stayed at one with Saegers last year after 1000 day - before 1000 mile (drive). Judy and I were even scouting out one to recommend for this year - no firm decision. I can't remember if some were reservable or all were first-come-first-serve. Check their USNFS website I presume.

Unfortuantely, both the 100-day and the Canadian event conflict with my return to college. I can't imagine taking vaction for first wek of classes :)

Move to a different college that starts classes later. This sounds like a deal-breaker...

Ted and I camped just inside the US forest boundary due W of Buena Vista once...not far from the Harvard/Columbia trailhead. This is when he realized he had packed Darcy's jeans rather than his own :)

C'mon, don't tell me you all forgot about the Third Leg of the Annual Rocky Mountain Championship Pack Burro Race Triple Crown! I'll bet it's the second biggest race in town this year ;-)

I just want to mention that we will have some more information coming shortly about the KOA at Buena Vista. We have reserved 5 cabins for orienteers at $46/night (the base price is for 2 adults, about $5 per extra person, the cabins are 4 and 5 person affairs), and we tent camping space for up to 160 people at $7/person/night. Once we figure out who is going to handle the signups for the cabins and tent camping, we'll get the details posted.

RV camping is handled directly through the KOA itself, by calling 719-395-8318 .

Day 2 Start and Finish are right from the KOA, and Day 1 Start/Finish is aobut 20 minutes from the KOA, so it will be convenient.