West Point Day 2, Green Y
I had quite a bit of trouble today, from the beginning. I had energy but no focus and messed up the first control. Then I took it really slowly to the next two controls.
On the way to #4, I had trouble syncing up the map with reality, because I was staring at what was a gigantic re-entrant, but it didn't really look gigantic on the map and I got confused. In reality I was on the right course, but second guessed myself and lost lots of time here.
From then on I was doubting my ability to read the map and went really slowly. 6 to 7 was the hardest leg and I almost gave up here, in all the cliffs and boulders and wondering how I was going to get back up for #8. Just as I was about to give up, another orienteer bee-lined to the control - I had just not gone far enough but was on the right elevation. I must have dropped down earlier than I thought.
Then I thought, okay, I can finish this course if I did the hardest control. And picked up the pace to get back because at that point I was out there for 1 hr 30 min!! #8 was very difficult physically, as furlong47 says it was the spider man climbing leg. This hurt my back a lot, but the view was worth it!!
From #9 to finish, I adopted a slightly different method which was just using compass and pace count and not trying to know exactly where I was or read every little thing on the map, but go straight and use biggest features like water or big cliffs.
I think I got really confused by how much was on this map but it was a great learning experience and in the end I did do a bit better than last year. I am really glad I went, and I finished both days. I'm not in great shape so after 2 days of O (not to mention the extra 5.2km walking to and from start/finish/download!) I am kind of hurting!!
I guess what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right? :)
(Thanks to my traveling companion Sandy F for putting up with my drama.)