Discussion: Batona 500

Hi,
I'm a British orienteer from the national team. I'm coming over to Washington for a conference which takes place the week after the Batona 500 event, which I'm hoping to run. I've never been to the US before and it would be great to make it to an o event while I'm over.

I fly into Washington IAD at 15.45 on Friday 10th and I need to find some way to get to the event, whether by public transport or if anyone is heading in that direction on Friday evening and has space for me. Could anyone suggest a way to get there - are there any buses or trains that head in the right direction?

Also, can anyone recommend somewhere to stay on Fri and Sat nights at the Batona 500 - I could bring a tent with me, but I am hoping that will be a last resort!

Thanks in advance for your help. I'm looking forward to my first taste of North American orienteering!
Best wishes, Oli Johnson

welcome to NA, and good luck there.unfortunately we have an adventure run in Hamilton -Ontario that sunday ( so some top Canadians wil be there ), but i'm sure some Americans friends will be happy to have some strong competition there. so they should play "nice" , friendly and supportive, otherwise ..

OJ:
The problem is that IAD is kinda remote, out in the Virginia countryside. You might consider using public transportation to get a bit closer to the meet site:

Bus #5A( $3US ) leaves Dulles Airport at 40 past each hour on Friday afternoon and goes in towards the District, and terminates at L'Enfant Plaza where you can connect to the Washington Metro <http://www.wmata.com>. From there you should be able to get to Union Station, and take an Amtrak or Metroliner train <http://tickets.amtrak.com/itd/amtrak> in about 90 minutes to 30th St Station in Philadelphia.

I would guess that there would be many DVOA orienteers who would be glad to pick you up there and deposit you in the Pine Barrens...try writing the meet director. However SEPTA <http://www.septa.com> probably has buses which would be helpful; and there is a PATCO speedline train <http://www.drpa.org/patco> that goes across the Delaware River from downtown Philadelphia deep into southern New Jersey. But at some point you'd have to depend upon finding a ride to the meet site, since the Pine Barrens are quite remote.

And I wouldn't discard the idea of camping there too quickly. The last time I camped in the Pine Barrens, it was a surreal but enjoyable experience: very isolated feeling despite dense surrounding population centers, sandy forest floor, endless pines silhouetted in the moonlight...and drinkable water in the streams, despite its coffee-colored appearance.

There is no need to write to meet director :) I'm here and read all the posts. But, how can I help you?! Basically, if you find your way to Philadelphia, then someone could give you a ride from there toward south Jersey.

If you like you can stay at my place (your own sleeping bag will be helpful), but believe me I'm going to be very busy with the meet itself.

I'm planning on coming up from the Virginia Beach area on friday afternoon, so it shouldn't be a problem for me to stop by the airport and pick you up, or we could meet somewhere in the DC metro area. email me at orienteer79@yahoo.com and we can try to coordinate something.

Thanks to you all for your suggestions! I will certainly pack a tent - you have painted a very idyllic picture of the place, chitownclark!

Ginger, that is a very kind offer, I will send you an email to discuss further.

Thanks again,
Oli

Oli:
Well, I hope the weather is pleasant. At this time of year, you can expect temps in the 50's during the day, and 30's at night. So bring a warm sleeping bag. But the upside of that is the mosquitos should be gone.

I've always enjoyed camping and canoeing there...see typical pictures at <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pine_Barrens_(New_Jer...)>

However, before spending the night by yourself deep in the Pine Barrens, you should be aware of a winged creature that inhabits those woods that the locals refer to as..... The Jersey Devil ...