Training Log Archive: sherpes

Event: Shades of Death Rogaine at Hickory Run
 

Having done the 6 hour rogaine a few years ago that used the southern map, decided to explore areas of the park that I didn't know about. Went north and then West, with the intent of doing some anti-clockwise motion.

63-60-68-64-73-61-74-32-65-66-69-78-79-39-40-36-35-85-32-41-33-34

First control was 63 in a small feature. Realized then that this rogaining was going to be hard. Rocky 60 was beautiful location. Traveling north from 60 to reach the east-west trail, was a challenge fight against mountain laurel. Eventually found the bare rock (on the map !!) and used that to minimize the fight with vegetation.

Hickory Run lake is beautiful, and so are the creeks feeding it.

Traveling from 69 to 78 directly was slightly challenging, and missed the control on the first pass. Reached the nearby trail and attacked from the trail bend, and found the control without problems.

Traveling southward from 78, and crossing the creek and surrounding rhododendron and mountain laurel, was a major physical feat. Do Not Try That.

Gave up on 31, 51, 52, as they were low point controls, and on the area around 52, there was a wall of dense mountain laurel that was not on the map. So retreated on the attempt and left the area.

Going to 79 was a time sink, as the white on the map was actually quite green in places.

West of the powerline on the 1:15000 map the circles for 39 and 40 were not drawn. Only realized later that they were on the 1:10000 map. Rerouted accordingly and abandoned the intent of traveling west in the 1:15000 map.

Had problems finding 85, where I found Phil Brucker looking for it as well. Eventually used the clearing on the northwest to navigate to the control with some accuracy.

At this point, much of the 10-hour allotment was now gone, and made my way back.

Beautiful trail along the creek near control 41. Cascading water, slickrock slides, people in the water enjoying themselves.

33 and 34 were going to be the last controls to be found. The location for 34 was beautifully thought of. A craggy rock formation surrounded by deep bushes. There was a way to reach it without too much fight, just that one had to find it.

Finished with the sound of boom box playing music at the beach. Couldn't ask for a better music tempo.

During the last 5 hours, took off my shirt several times whenever I encountered a cold water location, immersed the shirt, poured water on my head and chest and wore the wet shirt. It was of great help in keeping body temperature in check.

It was great to see familiar faces. Enjoyed the park and the two-day camping. Many thanks to DVOA, course setters, event director, volunteers, for putting this up.

video animation of route along with route of CMorse, quite similar.

Found 85 after three passes. Used the clearing on the NW as attackpoint
Rogaining Orienteering at Hickory Run state park pic.twitter.com/94VoEyv3T4

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Approach to 40
10-hr rogaine DVOA orienteering
June 2021
Missed it on the first pass
Used creek-trail junction as attack point for second pass pic.twitter.com/leCy9twdY2

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Approach to control 34
Hickory Run State Park 10-hr rogaining orienteering event by DVOA
That was a fun control placement to go find
Mountain laurel and other bushes was the barrier, finding a weakness in the fortress was the key pic.twitter.com/cmhnkn8ioi

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Hickory Run state park rogaining 10-hour event, hosted by DVOA orienteering club
June 2021
anti-clockwise route
Beautiful streams, rhododendron, mountain laurel, trails, rocks, ponds, marshes pic.twitter.com/Pe9FnZ7b3J

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C • 69/78 2