Discussion: Oceania Champs

Can anyone from downunder give us a sales pitch?
Anyone from North American considering going?

Forget about Oceania and come to summer in NZ for

http://www.madeventz.co.nz/waitangi/

much more fun

Fly'n doesn't want you to come to the Oceania Champs because you'd see the Kiwis get hammered in the Aust/NZ Challenge!

Seriously, ACT always puts on good maps, with good courses and efficient organisation. And Canberra at that time of year has the Floriade festival - and maybe even an election to watch!

Better than a North American Champs.... :)

I'll be in Canberra, just saying NZ in the summer is a much better option for trip down under

MC - you may have started a little war here.....

Hey Fly'n, thanks for the suggestion. But I would never sacrifice some days of skiing to go orienteering... so NZ in the summer won't happen!
I
s the weather pretty grim at this time of year in Canberra?

Anything this year would be better than a North American Champs 'cause they're only every other year ;-)

Weather in Canberra in October is unlikely to be grim by Australian standards and never grim by US standards. Given the weather at present, it may not rain again till next winter anyway. I defer to the Australian orienteering weather guru Blair for a serious comment.

Blair we're still waiting...

Average daily high/low in Canberra at that time of year is about 18/5. Usually rains a bit (October is Canberra's wettest month, although not by a lot) but plenty of sunny days too. Can get days as high as the upper 20s by early October, but serious cold outbreaks are still possible - the heaviest snowfall I've seen in Canberra was in October.

Several of the competition areas are 1100-1200 metres above sea level (Canberra is 600) and are therefore several degrees cooler.

Blair: That doesnt read like a "SELL".

I think its a sell if you come from Minnesota. Lets deconstruct Blair's comments.
'usually rains a bit' translates as 'chance of showers one day or two in the month'. Evidence... about 10 mm of rain for August in northern Victoria. Last year October in Canberra saw 2 rainy days, with falls respectively of 2mm and 4mm.
'serious southerly outbreaks are possible' and so is rain, or so they say. Last year the lowest and highest max for Tidbinbilla were 13 and 31. Tidbinbilla is a bit higher than Canberra and nearer the range.

Wahaha, somebody definitely has to review his Sales 101 techniques, that's for sure!
Hum now I'm starting to hesitate... do I really wanna orienteer in the snow?!!! I thought I was trying to escape the grim Automn at Silver Star... tough call.

Blair's statistics don't lie, but I'd be very surprised if there was snow ... Canberra gets about 1cm of snow once per year! This event will be fantastic and I wish I was going back for it.

There won't be snow. Days will be mild and nights a little chilly. This will make you want to escape to Oz.
http://www.floriadeaustralia.com/
Silver Star looks attractive in summer or winter - what's the problem with autumns?

Hey thanks Simmo, that looks great. I was wondering what I could do on days off in Canberra.
Silver Star can be fabulous in the Fall, but we've had the coolest and greyest summer in a long time, so it looks like it could be a pretty wet Fall. It could mean early snow, which would be really nice, but it could be cold rain and miserable. With a bit of luck by the time I come back I'll be skiing!

yeah I live near canberra and it rarely ever snows here......have to say if it did snow....it would be where they are holding the oceania champs in namadgi but not v. likely this time of year.....and its actually getting a lot warmer now.....21 i think today!!

Well that's good to hear Hannah 'cause I just booked a flight!
Canberra, here I come!

So jealous ...

And I'll rub it in at Barebones this weekend ;-)

Anyone from over there can help me organise rides for the events? I'll be staying in the South side of Canberra, Curtin.
Any help is much appreciated.
Thanks!

Hi MC - Yeah, don't worry, we'll be able to help organise rides. Give us a call when you fly in. When is that by the way??