Snow for Christmas

[epocian]

For those coming to Elland there will be plenty of controls in the adjacent fields for those
who don't want to venture into the steep bits of the wood and don't forget there are three roving Santas who are controls!
http://www.eastpennineoc.org.uk/2009eve ... flyer.html

PS I'll bet there aren't many nudists out in the nudist camp which is on the map

PPS Decision will be made at 5pm Saturday to decide if the event is on

[SYO Member]

I hope there aren't many controls near the nudist camp on Sunday, even if the residents are indoors. When I was controller of a previous event at Elland, a clothed warden from the camp removed a control which he thought was too close by.

Epocian, do you know from other Epocians what the road up the hill from Brighouse to Southowram was like this morning after the snow? Had it been gritted? For those unfamiliar, this is the usual road to use on Sunday if you're coming from the M62.

[epocian]

The road up to Southowram was fine this morning, gritters had been out and of course, Marshalls' lorries using the hill had kept the road clear. However Marshalls won't be working tomorrow so if we get snow overnight situation may change. We'll be making a decision at 5pm tomorrow

[frog]

Been out trying to plan a course in snow today, lovely until it got heavy and was like having icicles chucked at me, glasses steamed up and I got disorientated in some trees that have grown alot since we last mapped the area. The car slid down the track on the way back. Supposed to be going up there tomorrow as well, would prefer the snow to wait until Monday so all the features aren't identical snow covered mounds and I've no idea which bits are "runnable" as opposed to covered with snow obscured brashings.

[Copepod]

I couldn't get to the Cambridge city race a couple of months back, but the snow meant I could ski (nordic / free heel) to work away day at Downing College on Friday - and Adventure Racer leads me to believe that was on the course. I won "most active commute to work" award bottle of champagne in the evening, and met a Danish orienteer and British girlfriend who has recently started orienteering in the same unit, so a very good day all round!

[frog]

Had to abandon planning today as snow coming down so thickly and persistantly I was worried I'd not get my car out of the dead end minor road if I left it any longer.
Takes longer having to bang the large lumps to see if they're tree stumps or boulders, and tripping over the hidden branches.
I did wonder about my sanity as I made my way back to the car.

[Gross]

Lost a car in the snow once.... two cars went up the hill training... started to snow heavily... one car got back before the other (mine). We couldn't drive down the pass... so ran the 12km to the bottom & phoned Europcar and told them where the car was... it was rescued 10 days later...

Not quite that bad just now... but nice views

[madmike]

Snow is evil and a threat

Just taken me 6 hrs to get back from picking up the controls for Boxing Day Event (only 21 miles); moreover, my car and the controls are still 2 miles away

Snow is bad

[DavidJ]

no - snow flattens bracken freshens ground etc.... so it's good news

and

Snow is evil and a threat ... Snow is bad

Oh dear - what a difference a couple of days makes! Looking at the plants in our gardern this morning, the bracken should be very flat today!

[JennyJ]

You forgot to mention that was on a Warm Weather training camp to Spain Gross!

[madmike]

David J,
it's amazing how 5.5 hrs to do a 30 minute car journey followed by 30 mins trudging through snow drifts and down very icy hills can change your perspective

Just off to try and get my car

[SeanC]

Well, after 5 days of thick snow I have also noticed a few downsides.

Everyone in my estate loves fresh snow so found every excuse to walk, drive and sledge in the stuff. Now everything is compacted ice making walking a challenge, yet alone a run.

The binmen haven't ventured out, and we have two week collections and they were due to collect on the first snow day. So looking forward to the lovely smell of decomposing turkey shells until sometime in 2010.

And most importantly, postmen have become an endangered species, so still no CompassSport!

Ashdown Forest should be good though, the bracken and brambles will have taken a hammering. Still taking entries for Chelwood online, though you missed the map printing deadline but you'll probably be OK so long as there's not a mega rush.

[Gross]

Now everything is compacted ice making walking a challenge, yet alone a run.

Icebugs.... http://www.tengris.lt

[SeanC]

They look good. Must put them on next year's Christmas present list.

[epocian]

Now everything is compacted ice making walking a challenge, yet alone a run.

For walking, here's a cheaper alternative to Icebugs
http://www.blacktoe.co.uk/ice%20Grips/ice%20grips.htm