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The Austin Oboz Trail Experience 2023

While we're waiting for cooler weather to set in, we have a suggestion for those of you who live in the Austin area and can't wait to get back on the trail this fall. Sign up for the Oboz Trail Experience! Register in September and hike in October.

Have questions about OTE? We'll be hosting an online Q&A session on Thursday, September 21st starting at 6pm. It will include information on signing up for the Experience, using the app, and trail information. You can sign up on Eventbrite. There will also be a launch party at our store at 1014 North Lamar on Thursday, September 28th from 5:30 to 7pm so you can meet some of your fellow hikers before the Oboz Trail Experience begins. And to wrap up, on Thursday, November 2nd, we'll be hosting an after-party for everyone who took part in the Experience, again, at our North Lamar store. You can sign up for each event on EventBrite.There will be drawings for Oboz hiking boots, giveaways, and refreshments at both events. 

Oboz, Whole Earth and the Hill Country Conservancy invite you to complete as many segments as you can of 121 miles of trails during the month of October. By walking, hiking, or running, you can check off the selected trails and segments at your own pace over the month. It's free to register and sign up is easy.

All participants will receive swag from Oboz and Whole Earth. Other rewards can be unlocked by completing promoted trail segments throughout the Experience. Complete as many miles as you can within the month and you'll be entered to win one of the pairs of Oboz boots! The more miles you complete, the more entries you'll get. 

How does it work? Trails can be completed in any order, and some are broken up into segments. Some segments may have a directionality component to them, while others may be bi-directional. You must record all your activities on either a GPS device or smartphone activity tracking app. Your segments will be recorded as you complete them. Your progress will be visible to you and the public on the event's leaderboard. Each segment must be completed in a single attempt. You can’t start a segment one day and finish it on another for it to count. Have questions? Check out the FAQs. Some trails will be old friends. Others may be new to you. This year we've added trails in Texas State Parks and in the Lower Colorado River Authority parks. These trails have fees. Two other trails in Austin also have fees on weekends. We've included these new trails for their longer distances and vistas. We hope you enjoy them!

When you register, there will be an opportunity to make a donation to the Hill Country Conservancy, the group that spearheaded the creation of the Violet Crown Trail. They currently manage over 40,000 acres of easements in the Hill Country protecting aquifers, wildlife habitat, and the expansive views that make this area one of great natural beauty. Donations are not required, but we hope you'll consider giving to this worthy organization.

We suggest downloading or printing each trail map before you go and have a compass. If you're using an electronic device for your map, be sure to bring a charger in case the power on your device runs low. Bring water. Dress appropriately. Leave no trace. And have fun!