Note
BERMUDA QUADRANGLE WASH-UP
It's over for another year. The numbers:
85 participants.... lucky I didn't run out pf maps other than D course.
Probably 10 hours on computer and arranging printing, control descriptions etc
5 hours scouting and tagging
4.5 hours placing controls on Friday
2.5 hours working on the new OE2010
1 hour set up on the day
1 hour control collecting and cleanup (with help)
Highlights-
1. No misplaced controls (not that I'd expect this to happen) and no wrong numbers. The latter is an occasional problem that comes from putting out stands in a hurry on Saturday morning. Solved that by takling a rec leave day yesterday and spending much of it on the Mount.
2. Weather turned on some sunshine, little wind and no rain.
3. Some people traveled quite a distance. Many from Melbourne, Prue from Benalla, but the award goes to Ms Casanova who flew over today from Adelaide and is flying back tonight!
4. Far fewer dnfs than last year. I think the main reason is that many were more conservative in their course choice or arrived very early. Had starters from 11.30. These strategies came from last years experience. The advertising about the very hard navigation did push some course two people up to course 1.
5. A birthday party group ran the novice group in pairs and then went off and made a shelter. Bear Grylls is making forest navigation macho.
6. The Moderate course cheat sheet with photos of features and helpful information seemed to work well.
What could have gone better-
1. The advertising coordination between the VOA process and the Bendigo process was found wanting. Not sure how it happened, but the yellow sheet of coming events left some with the impression the event started at 11. I never read the yellow sheet now so didn't notice. I think its only those who remain un-connected to the internet who do use it. I think it is updated from the VOA web site. Our club events go on our web site, and someone has to copy them across. I did it for the first half of the year, but didn't do the second. If I didn't no-one else was going to. We'll have to think about a way to deal with this.
2. One control description had the wrong height. Transcription error probably. Shouldn't have happened.
3. The grey on the map was faint. I think I will use Jan Kovac's map colour adjustment process with all the printers at the print shop.
4. The first run of OE2010 (possibly in Australia) was an abject failure. It was in finish and register mode, but refused to recognise anyone in the archive. Instead it gave a message that the stick was invalid. It did deal with unknown runners much more easily than OE2003. Will have to do some experimentation before contacting Stefan Kramer.
5. While collecting controls I came across the same unused control site that impressed me collecting controls after last years event. I found it on the map today and discovered that it is not mapped. Two significant cliffs and a gully are merely shown as rocky ground. In reality its bare rock and two cliffs either side of an open grassy valley. I think some remapping is in order before using the site next time.
6 Ran out of novice course maps! Need to print more next time. good problem to have.
In the meantime, have to slip into music mode for a couple of performances at the banjo jamboree tomorrow.