Training Log: BillD

Event: WCOC Huntington State Park
 

Unsatisfactory experience at Huntington today trying the Green course. I left #4 convinced I was going n.e. but in fact was going e.s.e. whilst seeing features that seemed right for awhile. After 20 minutes or so of circling around an area 150m south of #5, I walked back to the start. DNF.

First bad omen was punching the Start control and not hearing any beep but only a red flashing light. Repeated, same result. I took off to #1 wondering if Start ever recorded in my dibber.

Second bad omen: went too far left to #1 and took 5 minutes to figure out which swamp was which, finally finding a control that agreed with the map but was #101, not the #31 shown on the map's clue sheet. What's wrong?

Headed off to #2 and doing very nicely, thank you, confirming many fine features along the way, came upon #2 reasonably close, but again the control number was different than what the map showed. Getting annoyed, but figured at this point I'll just tour the map and punch whatever control I find in what looks like the right place, probably be booked as making my own course.

Found controls at locations 3 and 4 but again the wrong control box numbers.

No idea how I then headed 50 degrees off intended azimuth. Saw a green patch that I figured was the pond I was expecting but just dried up. Then unexpected stone walls appeared. I was lost and should have back tracked to alleged #4, but the brain was fried at this point. I knew my race was over, but I stuck around for awhile to search for alleged #5 before turning south to follow any trail going s or se.

Upon checking out Rick looked at my map and lamented that I had picked up one of the green maps that didn't have the revised clue sheet pasted on the front. Eh, that didn't excuse my mistake leaving #4.

Green - Splits

In Penwood SP on a beautiful day with breeze and clear skies, around 75F. Went up the paved road, west side, to Lake Louise. Then proceeded further north to ascend to the lookout point. But after 15 minutes I determined that I had missed a right turn for the blue (Metacomet) trail and was on the lower western trail. The state map showed a trail going n.e. from that trail to the blue trail, so I went another minute or two until I found a spot that just begged for ascent n.e. to the ridge, but there was no connecting trail there. Well, there ought to be, so I started n.e. bushwhacking for 10m when I found myself smack dab on a rather indistinct trail that started to get more distinct. I had nailed it. 12 minutes later I up to the blue, then south, and to the lookout. Enjoyed the view for a while then headed back south on the Metacomet to the car. Great hike. Gave me confidence that I've got the endurance to enjoy Huntington this Sunday.

NB: only my return track south is posted here.

C • Trail 3