Training Log Archive: Tony C

Waking up controls for the classic long race. Followed footpath from start until I could see the rocky ground to the west and then contoured straight into the control 12(41), a good start. Clear to 22(49) but then a small miss near 13(52), went too far down the re-entrant to a boulder, turned round and could see control above me. Really nice contouring leg down to 1(31), went above the crags and looked in the re-entrant, no control. A quick check of the map and saw that I just had to drop a little and there was the control.
Next was a long leg to 4(35), used the footpath until I crossed the ruined wall with a marsh to the west. From here a bearing to keep on track but drifted uphill. Saved by the mountain laurel, which proved a good attack point, and corrected to find the control.
3(33) looked interesting and decided to go through the thick band of laurel rather than going round. Slow going but no where near as bad as the rhododendrons back home. Spiked 3 and 2(32) but then missed 10(39). Was looking for the pile of stones but overshot. Went back out to the broken walls, re-located and went straight to the control, pile of stones not very big and hidden by a rootstock. Probably should have been the easiest control so far.
Re-focussed and spiked 6(37), 7(42) and 8(71). Headed uphill to make use of the wall junction as an attack point but went up a bit too high. However junction was an excellent attack point and straight into the control.
5(36) spiked and then my last leg to 11(40), made easier by the small stream in the re-entrant below the control. From there it was skirting the hill back to the assembly area.
Really enjoyed the area, definitely got warmer as the sun got up but the trees provided plenty of shade but I needed plenty of fluids to re-hydrate.

C • Thank you 1