RouteGadget at SOL 3, Glen Truim

[Spookster]

You need to do this quiz:

http://www.fortnet.org/icd/mst/index.html

No, that doesn't help at all, because it makes no differentiation between uncrossable as in "we think you might drown or hurt yourself" and uncrossable as in "if you do it you'll be disqualified".

If Ed is right, then that means I'm allowed to cross uncrossable marshes, crags, fences, pipelines, lakes and streams, it's just that the mapper doesn't think the average orienteer would be able to.

Obviously the event organiser could change the default position, by stating for example "fences must only be crossed at marked crossing points", as could the planner by marking an uncrossable marsh as OOB.

[redpossum]

Spookster is correct - the only mapping specification which states that something is uncrossable for permission reasons or because an unfair advantage could be gained, is ISSOM (sprint spec). Anything goes in ordinary orienteering unless it is marked as Out of Bounds. So if you fancy your chances with the uncrossable marsh go for it!javascript:emoticon('8)')

[NeilC]

And 707 of course - but we've been there before

http://www.nopesport.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7559&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=routegadget+ashridge

[Nails]

ok redpossum -so in 'ordinary orienteering' if i think personally that swimming a section of a lake rather than running round will be quicker for me - Thats fine because anything goes? No I didn't think so!

[FatBoy]

I think you're right on that one Nails - last time I checked (which was some time ago), swimming wasn't allowed. Not good for the heart jumping in ice cold Scandinavian lakes while pulse rate is already through the roof so hence is not permitted. So I guess if the marsh is uncrossable and you have to swim, then it can't be crossed, otherwise take your own chances. I've certainly strayed into a couple of uncrossable marshes by accident in my time and always backtracked out before I drowned!

[EddieH]

There is no doubt that we are discussing this because either meaning of "uncrossable" has its problems. In standard O in my view the uncrossable marsh symbol is overused by mappers, and thus I never really believe it. Whatever these symbols introduce anelement of luck such as when I ran up a Czech valley with an uncrossable cliff marked round the end. I guessed I'd find a way but was wrong and had to backtrack - had there been I'd have had a big advantage - (Oh and this was a World Cup race).

However in Sprint O we have the problem of enforcement, and particularly in the case of hedges in eing able to interpret the small colour difference between the greens. I guess that the rule makers think that in the small area of a sprint race the rules are enforceable, but in the vast expanses of a long race they are not.

[tokoloshe]

When I was younger (and more stupid) I have been known to test the crossability of marshes when mapping by seeing whether it was possible to get across. After a couple of times finding myself up to the waist in thick black goo I have adopted the safer approach of deciding from the edge whether I would be tempted to cross.

Is there a better way?

[johnloguk]

Is there a better way?

Yes, send someone else in instead