[Awclist] [Fwd: RRFW Riverwire - GC LOTTERY REGISTRATION SUBJECT TO GLITCHES]

[Thomas Robey]

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	RRFW Riverwire - GC LOTTERY REGISTRATION SUBJECT TO GLITCHES
Date: 	Mon, 16 Oct 2006 22:08:09 -0600
From: 	Riverwire <riverwire at rrfw.org>
Organization: 	River Runners for Wilderness
To: 	<riverwire at rrfw.org>



RRFW Riverwire – GC LOTTERY REGISTRATION SUBJECT TO GLITCHES

October 16, 2006

As Grand Canyon National Park’s lottery registration for river running 
permits nears its close, registrants are encountering confusion and 
technical obstacles. The 2-step lottery consists of a registration, 
called a “profile” by the park, and a formal lottery entry with payment 
of a $25 fee. While registration is required for entering the lottery, 
registrants may elect to sit out this lottery. Registration closes 
October 21^st , with the lottery to be held and winners notified by 
October 23^rd .

River Runners for Wilderness has heard about technical issues and 
problems encountered by website registrants. One primary point of 
confusion is the requirement for lottery entrants to decide between a 
small trip group of 8, and a standard size of 16 participants before 
selecting their 5 dates. Since the 8-person trip size is the website’s 
default, registrants will not automatically see the dates available for 
the standard size trip until they select that option—only the dates 
available for the small size will appear.

Although the phrase “weighted lottery” implies the hunting license 
system of awarding points to lottery losers to boost future chances of 
winning, Grand Canyon’s lottery points are not related to entering or 
losing this or any future lottery. The system is more correctly called a 
“waited lottery” since points are awarded for years spent off the river, 
or “waiting”, whether or not one enters the lottery. There is no benefit 
to entering the lottery and losing, although the Park does say “adaptive 
management” may help those who fail to win a trip after many years of 
trying.

Another frustration has been the website’s automatic point tally system. 
As part of the registration process, points are awarded for the number 
of years elapsed since the registrant’s last noncommercial trip. The 
problem appears to be with figuring the total points for combining the 
possible points of the primary and designated alternate trip leaders.

Even debit card payment, a process long perfected on the Internet, is 
causing headaches for some unlucky entrants.

Regardless of the challenges, River Runners for Wilderness encourages 
anyone who wishes to try for a permit to run the Colorado River in Grand 
Canyon to register and enter the lottery. The last day to apply is 
October 21, 2006. Permits will be awarded shortly after the lottery is 
held, on October 23, 2006. Be advised that winners will be immediately 
charged a substantial portion of the trip fees upon winning a date, $400 
for standard trips and $200 for the small trip.

For more information on the lottery, click the “Lottery Information” 
link on our homepage underneath the video at www.rrfw.org 
<http://www.rrfw.org/>, including a lottery FAQs Riverwire, links to the 
Park lottery pages and other helpful hints.

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