ROC 'map hike' temporary course - Red
http://roc.us.orienteering.org/permanent/2013_Mend...
Supposed to be an easy day today, so I generally jogged. Trying to look at using different features today.
Some good control settings - a little subtle. Very few 'on path' types. Unfortunately, the controls were ~3x3" markers hung by zip-tie from trees. Pretty hard to see - some of them you have to be right on top of. That's OK. Because of this, I thought it won't be counted against me for walking near the controls (or circling a few times).
1 - Wasn't sure what I was after, or whether these control markers were still around. I knew where I was going for this one, so when I got there, I realized I would have to plow through a bunch of prickers to go where it would be. However, I saw the control from a distance, so I figured I'll just record it as found (on my gps watch). I was happy to see it existed, meaning that today's planned workout could go forward.
2 - Try to go with compass and altitude lines. Keep the depression to the right, but not go all the way up to the ridgeline. Eventually, however, I figured I should go to the top, as it would be easier to come straight across it rather than aiming from the side. (the left hand turn in the trace).
3 - Made way to trail as the AP would be best from the trail. Bingo.
4 - Not so good. A couple minutes of diddle around time looking for the small tag. This one would have been decent with a normal size control.
5 - Generally happy, given that it was pure forest running without any major features or paths. Still think I should have seen a bigger depression nearby - subtlety kind of threw me off.
6 - Knew were I was going, though I decided to swing around the hill rather than go across. Had to alter my path because of the 3 horses on the trail - but it gave me a shorter route than my 'easy' one planned. Tag hidden on opposite side of tree (the boulders were all there, so it had to be around somewhere).
7 - Figured I'd go east of the farm, especially since I'd never been in that field. That was kind of fun running through all the milkweed and such, but eventually, I went and hugged the rail of the horse paddock, as it was mowed.
Never did find the tag on this one. After re-starting and circling for a bit, I gave up. I'm sure that I passed within 5m of it at some point.
8 - Plan - head NE until I hit a trail. Pretty happy that it was 'generally' a straight line, and that I hit the trail I wanted.
9 - Plan - thought I'd go with the challenging approach rather than the easier path. wanted to get to the other side of the heavy green, and run with it on my right. Missed it, and had to try approaches from the path (had to go back & forth a couple times too. Another that I would have gotten right away if the control were bigger. But not pleased with myself.
10 - No choice but to go cross-country. Pleased with my compassing, my step counting, etc. Unfortunately, I walked right by it, where I thought it would be. That led to really taking a close look at the map, look at the land, walking around a bit. Not disappointed, as it was a good exercise.
11 - Ok, getting tired - use the path and no bush whack. Even went around so I could have an easier shot at it rather than going across the thicker green when I saw the feature I was going for.
12 - paths again, pace count, look for big tree, there it is.
13 - on fumes. pace count got me within 5 meters, but I decided to go further on, and then get into the woods and walk back, just so I wouldn't miss it. ...
14 - Exactly as planned
15 - very happy with my compassing - gets easy if you can pick a feature (tree in distance) a long way off to aim for - easy in a field, harder to do in a forest. Fields required a lot of high leg lift.
Finish - angle out of field and....
... face plant. Toe caught end of branch on ground, and as I was pulling leg up to go over, I just levered the whole branch straight up, so eventually, I had no way my leg could clear the branch. Down I went, ground was very soft and forgiving.
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General
-Happy with the new O pants. For the first time, I didn't have difficulties in high fields.
- wet areas not wet right now. The one creek I crossed today was almost dry.
- It was lots of fun. Some errors, but good learning.
- Kind of strange to orienteer by yourself, without any others crashing through woods.
- What's the difference in the cluck versus snort warnings that deer make? (got both of those noises today).