After their announcement Monday that GPS devices would NOT be prohibited at Primal Quest Montana set off an impassioned online debate about the impact on the race and the sport at large, PQ race management has posted an explanation as to why they made the decision and a few more details.

Highlights from this most recent post include the following:

• All teams are highly encouraged to bring a GPS unit.
  
  
• All GPS units will be sealed in a specially designed, tamper-proof bag by race staff. Re-opening the bag leaves physical evidence that the device has been used. Once sealed inside this bag, it will be up to the team to decide when, or even if, they will use their GPS.
  
  
• Any team electing to use the device will be charged a time penalty at the end of the race. The decision to take this approach allows teams to still rely on their navigational skills, but have the safety of a GPS should they feel the need to use it.
  
  
• If conditions continue to improve throughout the remainder of the week as expected, the use of a GPS will be limited to only specified areas of the course, or maybe not at all. The PQ Management team believes it is better to err on the side of caution and allow GPS units as a back-up safety device for all teams. As already stated, safety is our utmost priority.
  
  
• For teams who do not have a GPS unit and are having difficulty in obtaining one, they are available in Bozeman, MT and we will be happy to assist you in locating a local retailer.

Whether these guidelines will temper the debate or fuel it remains to be seen.

Comments on this and other websites as well as several popular adventure racing email lists have ranged from tepid support in light of safety concerns to collective outrage as witnessed by the reaction of BAARBD (Bay Area Adventure Racing Babes and Dudes), a popular California adventure racing club, who updated their homepage with an appeal for adventure racers to email or call Primal Quest staff to voice their objections.