Readers
of the blog will have seen posts about my orienteering comeback since
my retirement some 2 years ago. Most of this has been on the fells
with large scale 1:40 000 maps. I have also some entered local
orienteering events, mainly being last or last but one!
So,
with anticipation and apprehension, I entered my biggest O-challenge
yet, the Southern Championships, held on 26/01/14 in Bracknell
Forest, about an hour drive from where we are currently staying in
Kent.
The
following photos are gratefully taken from David Jukes Flicker page.
See here
None of them feature myself - they are for interest though.
Long drive into the forest
Heading to park - in the rain!
Walking to register
Inside the Registration tent -see the electronic recording gear
Waiting at the south start - count down in minutes
Crossing the start line to get the map and list of controls to find - this is the first time that they are seen
Finding a control - hidden behind a large bush
Out in the forest
This control is partially hidden in a ditch
Almost back at the finish!
Relieved to be back!
The wet drive back out of the forest!
The
event is at national level – a real test of navigation!
To
be honest, I really struggled with some of the technical aspects of
the navigation, losing considerable time in the process.
When
my route finding went well, my running ability and fitness placed me
in the lower half of the pack of orienteers. When I got lost –
well, I lost loads of time.
The map scale was at 1:10 000 and I still tend to over-run at this scale.
Eventually
time overtook me and I ran out of time to get all the controls and so finish the course! Technically therefore, this resulted in a disqualification!
Failed
in my test of navigation!
Results:
Southern
Champs M60 Long course – 8.5km with 220m of climb. 16 controls in
2hr39minsUntil the next time then!
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