Event (NOY Pelton Fire Trail) 1:38:11 [3] *** 5.77 km (17:01 / km) +140m 15:11 / km
spiked:9/11c
Beautiful day - cool to start but still and clear. Had no commitments today so could start earlier than my usual time - may need that for later.
S-1 track run then aim off - pick 2nd w/c
1-2 down w/c
2-3 long leg connecting track then aim off at veg change
3-4 bearing to track, perfectly picked up minor track taking me to w/c system then through to control
4-5 bearing, keeping eye out for minor tracks
5-6 bearing, pick up w/c. Planned on being on the right of the tributary and crossing to other side of major w/c. But got a bit pushed into going down a steep section and that's apparently where trudger caught me (4 mins start after me - so I did well to keep him at bay until #6) and noticed I was tentative so he chose a slightly different route to major w/c. Loved this part of the map - big deep w/c system with no chance of seeing a control unless you were right there. Jenny went right past me and too far and came back; lots of people on bank about 4-5m above.
6-7 continue along major w/c and note people dashing here and there. Ignored the first possible deep cutout and found control at next - admittedly trudger was exiting but it was my plan.
7-8 across and up hill (unmarked minor w/c?), cross minor track and use vegetation edge for confirmation.
8-9 the long leg - lots of little tracks to follow wending way across the map. Initially took bearing to get onto desired track picked off fence, w/c and a couple of minor track junctions, heading to major track. Got it with a little jiggle and then along to where I wanted to go in directly W of control. Was not totally happy with vegetation but found a minor w/c which I decided was before mine. Cruised up and down "mine" but despite there being ample opportunity for control placings in the erosion gullies there wasn't a flag. Decided to bail and went N to...wait for it an OOB area. And just like last week I was sucked in. Made a quick decision to run E to check on track junctions and must have found the end of one but didn't recognise it as such. A little more distance than necessary to confirm, and then noticed the fence appearing so back W and go past the previously ignored track head and went for the bend as a safety measure. SE into w/c and yay there is was. No I hadn't been there before - one consolation I guess. I think i lost about 15 minutes here.
9-10 bearing to major track then daunted by height of climb to adjacent track (railway line previously) went a little further then cut across and picked up track leading to 10
10-11 continued up w/c and started cutting across to track, passing toot toot rockman picking up secondary track. A family there was a distraction but saw the track leading off. Guesstimated where to cut in and chose well.
11-F bearing then track run for which i had neither energy nor interest.
Excellent course - very interesting parts of the map. Lots of people including a strong contingent from Sydney - you can tell when there's nothing on in the big smoke!
Nice chat afterwards with others on course - seems my thrashing around at #9 didn't go unnoticed!
Home, but rockman had a text message saying his driving lesson was cancelled due to instructor having the flu. So I had other plans... for me.