Orienteering (WHNO) 42:00 [1] 2.25 km (18:40 / km)
shoes: old 285 Roclite A
Did the last 3 controls of the Wicked Hard Night-O course with Uncle Jon and the boys. Hiked the whole way except the run-in.
Started out with the crowd, most everyone gone by the time we hit the road. No biggie since they went L toward #1 and we headed R to the Fundy Trail. Up Fundy to a good attackpoint before realizing there was actually a small trail going most of the way to #12 (hard to pick out the fine trails on a rock strewn map like Pawtuckaway - especially with my old-man eyes in the glare of a headlamp). Up the twisty mountain bike trail to our attackpoint giving us a bit over 100m off trail. Jon stayed on the trail taking a solid bearing while the boys and I trudged up hill - Jon shouting L or R as needed to correct our line. Reflector soon came into view, we punched, then turned off the lights for a bit to absorb the absolute dark of Pawtuckaway at night. Then back on with the lights and retraced our steps back to Jon's light.
Rather than trudge cross country like a true WHNO stalwart, we took the trails back to the road and took the shorter, safer attack to #13 - took it cleanly then due S to the road again, crossing over and heading for the final at #14 which was in a small depression. Good solid attackpoint as a trail led into a clearing with a leanto just on the edge of the circle, we get there and Jackson tears off to the reflector and punches us in - but I announce it can't be ours because this is a lean-to in a clearing, not a depression. But he says it has a #14 clearly marked on it. Hmmm. Go a bit further into the depression and sure enough, there's our marker (the first being control #14 from the Vampire O - running concurrently with WHNO) - do a double punch and head for the pavilion and s'mores.
What are the odds of hanging two controls, BOTH #14 inside the same control circle at Pawtuckaway, at night? Marginal at best I do believe. Lots of fun and our first run-in with WHNO. We'll be back.