Our Alcatraz.com

Escape from the Rock Triathlon Comes to Alcatraz June 20

We've already had the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon race this year, the only competition which starts from the shores of the island.   On June 20 the 30th Annual Escape from the Rock Triathlon comes to Alcatraz, although it starts from a ferry anchored east of Alcatraz to protect the nests of seabirds on the island. 

In addition to the 1.5 mile swim from Alcatraz to Aquatic Park in San Francisco followed by a 4-mile run, competitors will ride a 13 mile bike route, largely through the Presidio, and close the event with a 5K run.  

The event starts with racers assembling at Aquatic Park, which is also the transition from the swim to the first run .  The finish line is at Fort Winfield Scott in the Presidio.

Copyright (c) 2010, OurAlcatraz.com.  All Rights Reserved.

Alcatrez Sharkfest Swim Takes Place June 6

The Alcatraz Sharkfest Swim Race on June 6 starts at Alcatraz and finishes at East Beach on Crissy Field in San Francisco.  Swimmers will embark on the ferry from Pier 33 (after mustering earlier at Aquatic Park) in San Francisco at 7:35 A.M., and the race will begin at 8:15.

Unlike the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon race, which starts on the island, the Sharkfest starts from the ferry as it's anchored east of Alcatraz Island.   This protects nesting birds and other wildlife on the island. 

Navigation for the swimmers involves allowing for the strong currents from the ebb tide. The race organizers website shows how swimmers have to aim east of their true destination to avoid being carried past the entrance to Aquatic Park by the tides.

The event starts with racers gathering at Aquatic Park, which is also the location of the finish line and the best place to partake of the festivities.

Copyright (c) 2010, OurAlcatraz.com.  All Rights Reserved.

Alcatraz Challenge Swim is Sunday, May 30

On May 30 the Alcatraz Challenge 1.5 mile swim will start at Alcatraz and finish at East Beach on Crissy Field in San Francisco.  Swimmers will arrive by ferry at 7:30 A.M.

Unlike the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon race, which starts on the island, the Alcatraz Challenge starts from the ferry as it's anchored 100 yards of the southern shoreline of Alcatraz.   600 competitors will dive off the boat in about 6 minutes, which alone has to be a pretty amazing sight.

This reduces the disturbance to nesting birds and other wildlife and, well, it makes the swim 100 yards shorter.  In 54-degree water temperatures and currents as strong as 4 knots (enough to take you under the Golden Gate Bridge in an hour if you just tread water), that 100 yards probably feels like a good thing.

Navigation for the swimmers is something like playing badminton on a windy day.  The competitors website shows maps of the currents and some of the different routes swimmers have used for the crossing.  The tracks look like an old Spirograph drawing, twisting everywhere.

Since the race starts from the ferry, Crissy Field is probably the best point to watch from, and that's the location for the finish line. 

Copyright (c) 2010, OurAlcatraz.com.  All Rights Reserved.

Alcatraz Perimeter Trail May Be Opened Outside the Resident Birds' Breeding Season

 

The perimeter trail at Alcatraz, now fallen into disrepair, was once a vital part of the island.  Now, at least during portions of the year, it may soon be a highlight of any visit.

During Alcatraz' time as a military post and military prison, the rocks below the trail were hewed and cracked to make the shoreline steeper, more slippery and hard to climb by attackers or would-be rescuers.

During the three decades when Alcatraz served as a Federal prison, the Perimeter Trail was patrolled by guards, alert to any prisoners in the pre-triathlon era who might try to escape by swimming to the mainland.

In recent years the nesting birds on the island have taken over the trail, and thoughts of repairing and reopening the pathway have collided with the goal of making the island a safe haven for nesting seabirds.  As a result it has remained closed to public access.

The National Park Service has now revealed that as part of their draft new GGNRA management plan (which covers a range of Bay Area parks, including Alcatraz) they're considering splitting the difference, and giving visitors to the park the chance to walk the Perimeter Trail during the months when no nesting activity will be disturbed.

The gateway to the online pages for the draft general plan is here.

Copyright (c) 2010, OurAlcatraz.com.  All Rights Reserved.

Volunteer to Help Restore and Enhance Alcatraz Gardens, Get Private Access to Off-Limit Areas

Date:  Wednesday, May 19, 2010, with additional opportunities Wednesdays and Fridays thereafter.  This is not a drop-in program.

Time:  8:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Cost:  Volunteer opportunity but an application is required, as well as a commitment to volunteering on a weekly or bi-weekly basis for 2-3 months.  -- the online form is here.

Other Paperwork:  You'll have to print and sign a Park volunteer waiver form, which you can find here.  Volunteers under 18 must have the parent/guardian approval section signed.  Group leaders have to fill out the waiver form and fill in the group list. 

Contact Information:  (415) 561-3044 or volunteer@parksconservancy.org 

Long abandoned after the Federal prison on Alcatraz closed in 1963, the gardens of Alcatraz were originally created by generations of guards, administrators and prisoners.  In 2003 a volunteer effort was launched to restore the gardens and make them even more alive than during their past heyday.  

There are Victorian flower gardens, terraced beds, and more recent initiatives aimed at erosion control. 

Volunteers will do chores like weeding, pruning, and planting. What makes this opportunity especially cool: participants will get to visit some areas not open to the public, and will arrive on Alcatraz before other visitors.  Having the island "all to yourselves" during the quiet times of the morning is a great reward for the work!

They're looking for Adults, (Educators or just regular folks, including seniors).  This opportunity is not open to kids.  Group programs are available and groups of 10-20 can schedule their own private program.

You don't need previous experience of any kind to volunteer, and training and tools will be provided.  These chores include work where you'll get dirty, so bring sturdy long pants, close-toed shoes, and layers of clothing to keep warm or cool off.  They also recommend that you bring a personal water bottle and sunscreen.

We won't comment on being a society where good people have to sign forms (see above) in order to volunteer!  The Park Service is just "doing what they have to do in the real world of today," so no criticism of them is intended by that comment!

Copyright (c) 2010, Our Alcatraz.com.  All Rights Reserved.

Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon coming Sunday, May 2

Perhaps we're too sedentary, but there are some events we think are more fun to watch than to do.  As one friend put it: 

"First they cram everybody on an overloaded ferry and you think you'll die of heat exhaustion. Then you dive into the water and you think you're gonna freeze to death.  Then you run up the beach and you think you'll have a heart attack before you ever even get on your bike, and when you do get on your bike you think about James Dean and dying young as you go around some of those corners.  Finally you manage to complete the run without breaking a leg, you get to the finish line and discover that half the guys on the hot, smelly ferry got there first and your kids are tired because they've been waiting too long but they try to cheer you up anyway before you go eat trans-fatty acids at a fast food restaurant."

This is why we personally favor watching over participating.

On the other hand, 2,000 superb athletes will in fact take part in this crazy race on Sunday, and there is a huge "brag when it's over" factor for having been able to swim to safety on a route that the U.S. Government thought no one could ever complete... let alone doing so right before riding a bike on San Francisco's hills and running a foot race.

The race draws over 20,000 spectators to see the 1.5 mile swim from Alcatraz Island to shore, the hilly 18-mile bike race, and the 8-mile run on the uneven trails of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

You can read more about the event on their website.

Copyright (c) 2010, OurAlcatraz.com.  All Rights Reserved.

Civil War Living History Day is Sat. May 1 on Alcatraz

 

On Saturday, May 1, Friends of Civil War Alcatraz and the National Park Service will host Civil War Living History Day on Alcatraz Island.   

This unique event features 150 Civil War re-enactors who will demonstrate military activities of the Civil War period including drills, marching, prisoner escort, encampment cooking, and guard duty.  

A military band in period uniforms will perform music from that era throughout the day.  

An artillery team will fire the 24-pound Howitzer (normally on display in the Sally port) to show how soldiers of the Civil War loaded and fired these large artillery pieces. 

Volunteers and Park Rangers from Alcatraz will answer questions and do presentations about the times of the Civil War.  They'll show visitors all the Civil War era structures on the island, including brick walls, the guardhouse and sally port, the lower level of the Citadel, gardens, and remains of the large artillery batteries.

Although we all think of Alcatraz from its years as a federal prison, from the 1850's until well after the Civil War the Unites States military base on Alcatraz was the largest fort west of the Mississippi River.  Its mission was to protect San Francisco and the Bay Area from attack, and to control the waters of San Francisco Bay.

Copyright (c) 2010, OurAlcatraz.com.

Alcatraz Starting Transition to Solar Power

 

When the Federal stimulus dollars were handed out for last year, the National Park Service got almost $750 million in funds to maintain and repair the budget-battered parks across the country.

Unbelievably, when the projects were finished they found that many bids had come in under budget, and they had over $100 million left over.

In the case of Alcatraz, this launched the phased retirement of two old and inefficient diesel generators -- you'll recognize the truck-stop smell they produce, not to mention the particulates in the exhaust.  They cost Alcatraz $700,000 a year in fuel and maintenance.

The National Park Service has announced they'll use some of that leftover money to fund the addition of about 1,360 solar panels to the main prison and laundry building on Alcatraz this spring. That's enough panels to provide 40 to 60 percent of the island's electricity, and launch the process of phasing out the smelly generators.

In addition to more solar panels, the Park Service is considering re-installing a power cable under the Bay to serve the island from the mainland power grid.  This would lead to the immediate decommissioning of the diesel generators.

Of course, if you're a fan of smelly diesel generators you need to plan your visit now.  Once they're gone, a piece of The Rock's history is gone forever!

Copyright (c) 2010, OurAlcatraz.com.  All Rights Reserved.