101 Maps not to run on before you die

[kedge]

I think Simpson Ground used to be called Chapel House rather than Chapel Stile (which is a village in Gt Langdale). I can remember taking two and a half hours to get round the M21B course there sometime in the early 70's only to discover that I'd come 3rd.

The DEE area of Clocaenog Forest in N Wales in the same era was also largely a hands and knees crawl nightmare.

Down in the SWin the 80's I took my school group to an ASOA event on an entirely Green map of Wickwar. The forest was impenetrable, the tracks and paths on the side of the steep hill almost entirely 6inches deep liquid mud. Standing up was difficult. The kids loved it. Cleaning the bus afterwards was horrific. BOK don't seem to use it now: can't think why.

And then there was Burnworthy, with its cow-swallowing marshes.

[Marco Polo]

"101 areas, which while not spectacular will give the average punter a good day out as at least the map is accurate and the club knows how to appoint and support an imaginative planner and give a friendly welcome to all".

I think it's a fair point even if it isn't very catchy

[King Penguin]

Llyn Elsi - if that's the one near Betwys-y-Coed I went round the permament course there a few years ago. I have been on much worse, though the POC probably keeps to the best bits.

[AndyC]

I can think of a few maps/courses that I couldn't actually achieve a run at any point on.

[Copepod]

I have a Llyn Elsi map (yes, it is just south of Betws y Coed, King Penguin) - I slept in my car, ready to give them out to Open 24 adventure racers very early on a Sunday morning in July 2010. PM sent to Becks.

[ifor]

Down in the SWin the 80's I took my school group to an ASOA event on an entirely Green map of Wickwar. The forest was impenetrable, the tracks and paths on the side of the steep hill almost entirely 6inches deep liquid mud. Standing up was difficult. The kids loved it. Cleaning the bus afterwards was horrific. BOK don't seem to use it now: can't think why.

I cycled past the wood on the common by Wickwar this morning, there was a track going in with the mud looking about a foot deep. I did take a traing run through a few years back but we have not returned....

Ifor

[Jayne]

I started orienteering on Allerthorpe Common.

My worst race in a while was Kidnalls in the Forest of Dean - probably the wrong time of year as it was just big mass of brambles. My legs were not happy.

[Gross]

Carron Valley Forest in Scotland was a very grotty introduction to orienteering.... dark green young spruce... tipping wet day... don't think it has ever been used again

[Darwin]

Chapel House is now pretty good and, as mentioned, rebranded as Simpson Ground, to avoid stirring memories probably best repressed.

I have run in a few miserable Spanish areas where the controls were mostly on abandoned fridges, sofas etc. - I guess that's the Spanish attitude to garbage disposal.. I've also run some brilliant Spanish maps though.

But the worst area without doubt was some Essex location for the CSC back in 90's (someone must remember) A 1k x 2k dog-walking area consisting of a completely flat patch of brambles criss crossed with muddy tracks. All this, and 16 hour journey to get there from the Lakes in sub zero temps in a coach with a broken heater.

I actually gave up orienteering for a couple of years after this.

[awk]

I hasten to reiterate and emphasise that my comments about Chapel House (sorry, you're of course right Kedge), Allerthorpe Common and Welsh forests, all refer to experiences back in the late 70s and early 80s. I've thoroughly enjoyed Simpson Ground and Allerthorpe Common since, both of which matured nicely (as did Broughton). I think The Welsh forests concerned all burned down (!).

[madmike]

I think The Welsh forests concerned all burned down (!).

Burning down was too good for Llyn Elsi still I suppose variety is the spice of life

[paul]

But the worst area without doubt was some Essex location for the CSC back in 90's (someone must remember) A 1k x 2k dog-walking area consisting of a completely flat patch of brambles criss crossed with muddy tracks. All this, and 16 hour journey to get there from the Lakes in sub zero temps in a coach with a broken heater.

I actually gave up orienteering for a couple of years after this.

Hart's Wood and Thorndon Country Park?

[ryeland of doom]

Great Breach Wood, Somerset
Just brambles, except for the steep gullied clay slopes.

Cotwall End, Staffordshire
Black Country industrial make over - again brambles, but this time with the added bonus of the English Midland equivalent of neds and aggressive dogs.

Bramble Brook
1979 JK relay, does what it says on the tin. Pretty though.

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Disclaimer - these may be quite nice places now.

[Red Adder]

Thorndon / Harts Wood has a few contours - possibly Hatfield Forest is flatter and has wide rides that can be very muddy. In EA though you soon learn to make the best of what you have and not whinge, its either that or don't orienteer.

[jjjl]

But the worst area without doubt was some Essex location for the CSC back in 90's (someone must remember) A 1k x 2k dog-walking area consisting of a completely flat patch of brambles criss crossed with muddy tracks. All this, and 16 hour journey to get there from the Lakes in sub zero temps in a coach with a broken heater.

I actually gave up orienteering for a couple of years after this.

Most likely Chalkney Woods....

http://www.stragglers.info/gadget/cgi-b ... 25&&kieli=

Brambles much worse than mapped!