SROC National Event Cancelled

[PorkyFatBoy]

On this historic occasion when I'm actually agreeing with Nails and RJ

is this really true? ...or have I just had too much Guinness at lunchtime

[Klebe]

is this really true?

What she'll do for a pint of merlot eh !

[brooner]

just for anyone who's still going to the lakes and have missed it on the front page, warrior are organising an informal event at ambleside on Sunday. Details here:
http://www.nopesport.com/index.php?nav= ... nts&id=188

[guessed]

Will the WAROC event be a BOF sanctioned event? I just worry about the insurance should anything go wrong.

[freaky_phil]

As a past Organiser of a National, Pen Rhiw Wen in 2000, I must also sympathise with all at SROC. I remember siting in a transit van the day before the event in the same car park we used for 2 weeks ago for the Welsh Weekend and the van was literally rocking in the wind and rain. I had spent the previous 12 months organising the event, and had already paid out £1,000.00 for buses , but on this occasion we managed to hold the event as there was a 3 hour gap in the weather forecast for the Sunday. That's what you get with the help from aviator Adrian Moir!. We were very close to cancelling our weekend, 2 weeks ago, not necessarily because of snow on the area, although that was a big consideration, but from the point of car parking etc. Although we were not going up this weekend I hope that the events can be re-scheduled for the sake of all the voulunteer time already put in for the event.

[HOCOLITE]

Freaky-our memories are similar but of being in the download tent checking all competitors were back and beginning to dismantle the kit when the tent took off I spent the day sat in the car with my thermal gloves on my feet to try and keep them warm.

[Stodgetta]

Having been up in the Lakes all weekend, the snow is definately clearing, but cancelling was the right decision without a doubt.

For walking on footpaths and driving on the roads there was no problem by today. However, the parking areas would have been a nightmare, and I wouldn't have fancied running over limestone pavement today. I certainly wouldn't have wanted to be putting out stakes etc for controls over the last few days.

While the safety of runners is often the main concern, the safety of officials and helpers must not be overlooked.

However, conditions for sledging were fantastic, and Windermere Youth Hostel was nice and quiet all weekend!

[HOCOLITE]

We had a swede at Clent today who came to visit a uni friend and would have taken in the national, but said he didn't want to run in snow....There was plenty at home he wanted to run in the forest. Not sure Clent was the best forest. But he showed his fitness, there was a horrendous climb to the finish and he ran it, whilst others were asking for escalators and chair lifts

[Carnage Head]

The Loughrigg informal event was a real challenge - and although it was in muddy waters as far as insurance etc goes, those who took part in the event surely appreciated the effort made to put it on. Thanks.

The snow was still quite deep, and it made it more difficult to keep one's grip, plus it was uncomfortable (numb feet for well over an hour <cough>), and harder to navigate (all kinds of paths were covered/created)... but all of these factors, and more, made it a real challenge, and ultimately satisfying.

What did others do on the Saturday? I joined some rather more experienced orienteers on a semi-Kentmere horseshoe (3hrs) - running through six inches (or much more), the top layer of which had partially refrozen, therefore creating an uncomfortably sharp 'crust' to dig into one's ankles. Plus winds necessitating a hat and neck-fleece-thing... all good fun...

Pity about the cancellations, but they were utterly understandable. And if 'guest' thinks that the hard-working organisers are going to compensate him/her for lost accomm/transp costs , then I despair. I didn't think that there were many 'blame culture' bandwagon-jumpers in this sport. Perhaps there's only the one. I hope so.

[helen]

We had a lovely weekend in the lakes too. I was hoping to do the Elterwater fell race that Mharky mentioned today, but it too was cancelled due to snow. We went over to Elterwater anyway today though, and I could immediately see why - the snow was still pretty deep in places and it would have been a hazard. So we spent the weekend pottering around, stocking up on outdoors stuff in Ambleside, sledging outside Windermere YHA and at Tarn Hows (where the conditions were perfect, snow was ankle deep in most places) and we couldn't get through the weekend without a visit to Wilf's cafe in Stavely!

[badger]

This is where you needed to be on saturday...

http://www.nopesport.com/index.php?nav= ... =uk&id=318

[Klebe]

Perfectly correct decision to cancel the events, underfoot conditions were decidely risky.
We hiked up over Wansfell Pike in 6 to 8 inches of snow, which changed to 3 to 18 inches in places without warning. Kirkstone pass slopes were brilliant for sledging with snow knee deep. Stopped and headed home before we broke a limb.

[HOCOLITE]

Really good and useful organisers report on SROC website. I'd like to congratulate SROC on their attention to detail and to their quick and thorough relaying of information.

[andrew T]

just to second what has already been said about the event that warrior put on at loughbrigg for a last minute arrangement it was great , really well planned course(s) when i was running across the fells in the ankle deep snow and scrambling up the rock face to number three(long) i thought to myself this has top be the most fun i have had orienteering in ages, even if my legs were in pain from chapelgill the day before.