Northern Champs

[mrmoosehead]

Think I might be taking the bicycle up for this one. 3km from parking to assembly.

[ba-ba]

3km to ease the legs (and head) out post-Coniston on the Saturday.

[mrmoosehead]

Heh.
3km more for my battered and aching body.
And that's before I start.

[DM]

If the main course is anything like the starters we enjoyed today on Summerhouse knot then we can expect something really nice. Despite messing up several controls today it was good just being out in an area like that. Nicely planned course (men's Brown) and woods runnable.

Thanks to LOC and also Mr Chaplin whose land was used for parking, and all the caterers for coming along and providing a wide choice of foods.

[mrmoosehead]

It was great (once I had controls 2 and 6 out of the way - on black) Suitably technical, but generally runnable. And some nice varied terrain.

Anyone else witness the terrified deer running through the start at around 12:30?

Catering wise, what I really liked was that it was very 'Jam and Jerusalem' and raising funds for local groups.

[EddieH]

I was reluctant to travel this weekend with everything else, but I anticipated it would be worth it for the terrain.

Not disappointed especialy with the NC which I loved the variety, particularly the low vis start.

Only negative was the unexpected lack of sun about which the organisers can do nothing.

It's wonderful that so many people in this sport are prepared to work so hard to present great weekends lke this.

[johnrobinson]

i cannot believe the lack of comment on the northern champs weekend. Is it because people are quicker to complain than praise.

I only did the Sunday and Monday but enjoyed both , the Sunday inspite of the long walks and the tough (some might say brutal) course was enjoyable and varied orienteering such as we don't get enough of. Monday in Kendal was a delightful tricky urban in a very varied town, a good old town, an interesting residential suburb and a very tricky northern section a bit like an italian hill village, in short a treat. Well done and thanks to the clubs and volunteers for putting on such a good weekend so soon after the JK.
Looking forward to the lakes 5 days.

[mrmoosehead]

i cannot believe the lack of comment on the northern champs weekend. Is it because people are quicker to complain than praise.

You're probably right.

So here's adding my vote of a top weekend, despite the sunday weather and parking issues. (and my orienteering ability)

[mikey]

Top event on Sunday. The walk to assembly was quite enjoyable

[ba-ba]

Only did Sunday, squeezed my run to the start, (slightly extended) run and stagger back to the car just before the DOMS from Coniston on Saturday hit. Great area, good map, well planned. Love orienteering when it's on areas/maps this good - if it was all like this I might consider calling myself an orienteer who fell runs and not vis versa!

[eddie]

Both days were tip top. Good old tough orienteering. Good courses and good venues.

[Forest Gump]

Top event on Sunday. The walk to assembly was quite enjoyable

So obviously you don't have children then.

i cannot believe the lack of comment on the northern champs weekend. Is it because people are quicker to complain than praise.

What like the miles to the assembly (and back) in the wet, no string course so not much for the kids to do all day, very rough (and tough) White course unsuitable for small children, no flexibility for changing/adjusting start times if you were late (despite the nice folk on the start saying you could but then being overruled at download), and no real assembly area for people to put all their stuff (other than a wooded slope).

It was a good thing the area was good, the planning OK and the map pretty decent

[DJM]

Are there any plans to put Kendal up on RouteGadget?

[King Penguin]

I thought the whole weekend was great - for the mobile - but I can fully understand the older / youger / less agile having problems on Sunday, both with the terrain and the walk in / out.
A few people seemed to have driven north right along the track through Simpson Ground all the way to the fence by the minor road. It would have helped greatly if this fence could have been removed temporarily and the eldest and those with young kids directed to drive onto the north of Simpson Ground from there.
Saturday was the epitome of great Lakeland areas.
Sunday had wonderful contrast, from thick green (which I surprisingly got right), open, and fast white (which I unexpectedly fouled up).
Kendal is a great urban area, again with variety, which can easily stand being used every other year.

[BenM]

Thought the Sunday was arguably the best area I have run on in England, great courses and a great map!