Just at the point of talking myself into this again, perhaps....
www.newcastleorienteering.org.uk/phoenix/phoenix.html
The Phoenix will be right up your street, or rather...hill, if you're sick of leading or following everyone else around a pre-marked course.
You have to find your own way and stealthily hunt down the cunningly concealed sportident checkpoints. It's great. Your brain needs to go as fast as your legs as you scrutinise your map (and perhaps compass) on the hoof. I've had some spectacular disasters because mine didn't and I've ended up blundering around various bits of the Cheviots cursing softly to myself or any of the random passers-by. Lost!
I say "random passers-by" because a variety of courses of differing lengths and difficulties (some categories can be entered as a pair) means that the competition area is soon being criss-crossed by people following their different courses or maybe the same course as you, but in a different way! Might it be safe to follow him over there, he seems to know what he's doing. If the 'him over there' is me then, on previous form in this one, the answer is 'no.'
Last year it was up around Keilderhead, and by most people's comments, a very tough year. This year it is centered at Barrowburn so most terrain should be a bit easier going. Usually 4 courses are available and you can enter for one or two days worth of punishment/fun.
I'm just becoming a little concerned that the distinction between punishment and fun is beginning to blur some what!! Apart from those 'late evening' internet sites, I thought they were mutually exclusive but on more & more blogs posted here, they appear to be overlapping.
ReplyDeleteI will give this a little look it sounds fun!
ReplyDeleteI did the event about 3 years ago when the event centre was in Wooler, Day 1 was glorious, warm with clear skies and definately came into the fun category. Day 2 bought heavy rain and limited visibility so felt more like a punishment blundering around trying to find invisible sheep folds. Overall a great challenge, well organised and friendly....might consider giving it another go.
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