Discussion: RHINO XII at Ratlum Mountain

RHINO XII, the 12th annual Ratlum Holiday International Night Orienteering and potluck party will be on Saturday, December 7. RSVP only!

There will be two courses, one of about 3K and moderate (say orange) difficulty, and one of about 1.5 - 2K and pretty easy. Come any time after around 4 or so. First starts around 5:30 pm, followed by potluck dinner party. Or if you can't get here that early, it will be dark a long time. Come when you can. I'm sure there will be extra headlamps available. Overnight accommodations available. There may be an exercise class in the morning, or there will probably also be a group hike, or re-run the courses in the daylight in the morning. Let Rhonda know what you would like to bring (rhondadeweese52 at gmail.com), and if you are staying the night. Let me know if you need directions.

Rhonda is working out sleeping arrangements. If you want a bed, please advise. When beds run out, plenty of room for sleeping bags.

Given the snow are you recommending snowshoes? Thats assuming that there is snow but maybe not?

There is snow, at least a foot. Snowshoes would be a very good footwear choice.

Personal choice.

We did an orienteering event at Sessions Woods once with a foot of snow, and boots would have been faster to move through the woods in than snowshoes. More than a foot, though, and it would be simpler to stay on top with snowshoes.

More than a foot? Head to the orienteering at Lakewood Ranch (Florida)

I'm planning to bring 4-5 pairs of snowshoes.

I'll bring mine, but suspect that at Ratlum, O-shoes may still be the final choice...

If you want to go fast, Clint is probably right. For comfort and stability, I will use snowshoes putting out controls. Running snowshoes would probably be a good choice for those who have them. The Short course will be amenable to skiing, for people who are desperate to ski and don't mind trails that are a bit lumpy and certainly ungroomed.

I have also set an xtra short course (<1K) for people who might like to get out for a bit and enjoy the full moon and the sparkling headlamps but not linger too long in the cold.

If you are coming and planning to spend the night, this would be an excellent time to let us know if you haven't already. An email would be good.

For the ultra tough, microspikes on bare feet.

In contemplating the fact that this will be a white RHINO, it occurred to me that we will someday see The Last RHINO.

Maybe the event name will morph to Albino RHINO.

Full moon with the reflective ground snow cover might result in some bright night conditions.

10 years ago, so this must have been RHINO II ??

Yep!