Hanging controls -- what to do?

[distracted]

What would people view as 'correct' in the following situation?

You're hanging controls for an event, reach the control site and there's no tag. After a quick look around you find the tag for that control in the wrong place, on a similar nearby feature.

Assuming the tag has been placed by the planner and checked by the controller, do you as control hanger:

a) Hang the control in what you feel/know is the correct position
b) Hang the control by the tag, and inform the controller that it is in the wrong place on return to base

[Frustrated]

Could do either and tell the controller where you think it should be, they've still got to check it anyway. You'd probably end up going out to check the site with them. I don't think it matters what you do as long as you tell them, a good controller would make sure it's right.

[AndyC]

I've done both -depending on how sure I was that the control tag was wrong -key is that the controller has to check as a priority.

I've also done the third alternative -arrive back with the control still in my hand to force the planner/controller (in that instance the same person on a local event) to go and visit the site (fortunately not far away) with me.

[Gross]

Bollocks to 1.... as a control hanger your job is to put the kite where the tapes are & not to make controlling / planning decisions. You should bring your question to the attention of the planner / controller & if really concerned don't put the flag out. BUT under no circumstances should you put the flag out where you think it should go if that's different from where the tape is....

[LostAgain]

Bollocks to 1.... as a control hanger your job is to put the kite where the tapes are & not to make controlling / planning decisions. You should bring your question to the attention of the planner / controller & if really concerned don't put the flag out. BUT under no circumstances should you put the flag out where you think it should go if that's different from where the tape is....

Fully agree. The control hanger can ask the question and certainly bring it to the attention of the official(s) but SHOULD NOT place it elsewhere.

[madmike]

-arrive back with the control still in my hand

that's what I always ask my control hangers to do if they are in any doubt i.e. can't find tape or are not happy tape in right place. I agree with Gross' one-word summary on option 1

[Sunlit Forres]

Can't speak for you lot in HH Madmike, but all our controls here in the north, rather like the orienteers, are always well hung.

[AndyC]

I disagree with one word in LostAgain's post "can" needs to be replaced with "should" or "must".
In defence of my use of option 1 ; I did know that there were late course changes by the planner, the Control Description clearly said "pit" and the tag was a good 10 yds from the only pit in the vicinity so seemed a safe bet that I was placing it in the correct site -but you're right I should have checked before I placed rather than after as I was assuming the planners role.

[Homer]

What about the situation where, as a competitor, you find a control in the wrong place?

As a rule, I would say do nothing and report it at the finish. However, what if it's your club which is organising, it's a National level event and you are the first starter on the Elite course?

This is exactly the position I found myself in a few years ago. The control was about 100m from where it should have been on a similar feature. There wasn't enough time to get back to the finish, find the controller and get him out there before following competitors reached the control. I therefore took the bold decsion to move the control to it's correct location. The Grade 1 Controller has been eternally grateful ever since!

I would never do this at any other club's event by the way....

[madmike]

Interesting slant Homer - at a big event it is always worth getting someone you to trust to pre-run.

Is the individual concerned still a grade 1 controller?
If so what retraining did he undergo?
Was he dropped to the championship for a match?

When hanging controls, I have once been asked by a planner to not hang the control at the tape but to put it at the centre of the circle!

I have also arrived at a site to find no control - gone out to another attackpoint and come back to the same gully end to find the controller there. Don't worry says he, X is bringing the control here

[Ravinous]

I can recommend (I am sure many people do) that the planner, controller and hangers all have mobiles with them and each others numbers. Saves time if you have a problem and often problems can be minor or easily rectified.
Eg Last year, got to a knoll. My control description said south side, tape was on north. A quick call to the planner - his mistake (I think), stick control where the control descrip is - many thanks, went on my way...

[AndyC]

Mobile phones don't work everywhere -and may not be an option.
I'm still apologising for retrieving two extra controls at Kielder because I got to them before the designated collector and couldn't tell them because mobiles don't work there.
(I realise now that leaving a note would have been sensible)

[frog]

I wouldn't take it back to the start, especially if a heavy t bar as usually large events where planner and controller both check sites have controls up hills in middle of nowhere. I'd put it where taped and phone or inform planner/controller asap (allowing for putting my other controls out) I see no advantage to anyone in carting the t bar down the hill again.

[Gross]

I see no advantage to anyone in carting the t bar down the hill again.

Unless, of course, you happen to be the Grand Old Duke of York

[EriOL]

You should never assume that the control is in the wrong spot according to ALL maps/control descriptions just because it's wrong on YOUR map/control description. Don't move controls unless you are the planner/controller and know exactly what you are doing!