The Street Challenge Report

The fall November day of the challenge greeted all comers cold and clear, bright and sunny. Eager street chasers came from all directions to claim a map and study up the best route choice that lent itself to scenic value or a maximum score, beneath gold falling leaves in Ann Morrison park.

After what seemed like an all too brief period of studying the map, the bikers, runners, and walkers scattered in all directions. Andy and Elijah, running a little late after removing the extra ski clothing they piled on, hastily scribbled out a tentative route under duress and blasted off towards the clock tower (quite probably the best warm up control for a confidence booster).

Sergey arrived shortly after the masses had left and went out "just for an hour". Apparently he was having enough fun it took him a little longer than that, but he resisted the allure of getting them all. He seemed confident, however, that it was possible! For a runner I think it would be tough - we had more controls than ever this year.

Karin and Bob also enjoyed the northern half of the map, and even returned with a few action shots. As it turns out, Bob won the walking class, a fact I only realized after returning home and doing confirmation tallies here without all the chaos of a mass finish. But I think I saw him sneak the last chocolate bar, so Bill and Dee don't need to feel guilty.

It was around the time Karin returned I first heard of the difficulty at control 38, at Longfellow Elementary - the sidewalk plaque was solidly covered by leaves! Reputedly some orienteers (who shall remain unnamed) covered the plaque back up after their hard won find for the next round to discover. For those who gave up and picked an answer based on other quotes, I gave them the benefit of the doubt and did not penalize with negative points for guessing (as ominously suggested at the start).

The first bikers to return were Greg Davidson and Melanie Schuster, followed shortly by Jay Morgan who solidly won the bike class with all controls and his early arrival. Then orienteers started pouring in, faster than I could keep up with the news. Three of us worked on scoring at once. I could hear in the background a discussion about Mercury vs. Venus at the Discovery Center Bridge...but had to let it go temporarily in the busyness. Suspecting the worst, I returned to the scene Monday evening and found that Mercury was on the north side of the bridge! As I set up this control in the near dark, I missed this entirely and didn't believe Mercury could be so close. So as it turns out, there were two right answers to question #18, and both Brad Lowe and Doug LaMott get full credit for Mercury.

At least as meet director I didn't flub leaving out a question entirely, like I did last year. I did rather enjoy hearing the tales of counting steps (#41 - no way to eyeball it) or trees (#12), which undoubtedly were a little more challenging under pressure. For the record, the most visited controls were #10, 13, 15, 24, 25, and 26, a mix of locations in the vicinity of Ann Morrison and the heart of downtown. The least visited were #19 (a relatively close one), #37 (tough to route well I am sure), and the far SW #42, 43, 44, 45, and 46. You can be sure, however, that Mike Bading and Merrill Hayden were among the few getting those high 40 pointers, even after getting multiple flats along the way!

Bill Leahy handily won the running class this year, although he looked pretty tired for his win. Nevertheless I think he will be back for more, and he can claim a win over Sergey for this month (we aren't ranking in points per minute for this meet).

Results:

Bike Class

Jay Morgan 890 2:37

Doug LaMott 880 2:58

Lee Scott 860 2:48

Greg Davidson & Melanie Schuster 820 2:36

Kevin Heglund 800 2:54

Scott and Mary DeWalt 800 3:00

Mike Bading and Merrill Hayden 720 3:02 (-20 for overtime)

Andy and Elijah Hill 600 3:03 (-30 for overtime)

Brad Lowe 460 2:54

Run Class

Bill Leahy 630 2:54

Matthew Score & Ian McQueary 510 2:47

Sergey Velichko 320 1:15

Karin Didesse 300 2:28

Walk Class

Bob Didesse 220 2:21

Bill and Dee Pilcher 200 3:09 (-90 for overtime)

My apologies for the ongoing difficulty with our slightly less than timely and accurate scoring. Although we have improved notably over the past couple of years, the system has yet to be perfected (and devising clear questions can be harder than it looks). If you have any feedback, please let me know. I hope everyone enjoyed it, even if you did have to count steps under oxygen debt while carrying your bike!

It was fantastic to see so many faces, old and new, out there for this meet. Perhaps we may see you at future meets, stretching both legs and minds. We have a December meet scheduled on the 19th, but the meet director and place are yet to be confirmed. Given the context it will be a park meet, probably Veteran's and/or Willow Lane. Stay tuned to this blog for more info, as well as for the 2010 calendar of events.

Your meet directors - Jeff Black and Karin Didesse

Boise Street Challenge starts on Sunday, November 15th!

Yes, you heard correctly...we are trying out a new name this year. The event formerly known as the Metrogaine shall be henceforth the Boise Street Challenge for 2009.

On top of that, the date has been slightly reset to Sunday, November 15th, instead of Saturday. This minimizes the traffic hazards out there on our city streets.

Our meet format remains unchanged, however: Given a USGS map of downtown Boise and the surrounding terrain, the challenge is to get as many "points" as possible in the 3 hour time limit. Points are obtained by answering questions at a circle on the map, a question that can (usually) only be answered by being there. Like a traditional orienteering score course, some answers are worth more than others, but can be filled out in any order, so there is some strategy involved.

Although the long distance runners remain big fans of this meet, given the scale of the map, it remains wildly popular with the bikers of the group too. We'll keep them in a separate class. But if you just want to wander the city on a beautiful November fall day and see it through new eyes, here's your chance! Walkers will have their own class too.

Key details:

Date: Sunday, November 15th

Time: Start area set up at 10am. Maps distributed at 10:15am. Mass start at 10:30am!

Start Location: Ann Morrison park, by the center pedestrian bridge.

Time Limit: 3 hours (10 point penalty per minute overtime)

Cost: $5 per map (for club members, it is free)

Recommended items to bring to the meet:

1. Water bottle (or your favorite hydration system) - you'll be out for 3 hours!

2. Clothing appropriate for the weather that day, especially footwear you can walk or run in.

3. Your favorite reliable pen or pencil for circling answers to questions.

4. A completed and signed waiver (essential for non-members).

5. A watch to keep track of time.

6. Cell phone for emergencies, if you have one.

Look forward to seeing you there!

Meet directors Jeff Black and Karin Didesse

October 17, 2009

Vampire-O

City of Trees Orienteering Club held their first Vampire-O at Simplots Sports Complex. The event format was score-o, at night, with the twist of having a vampire chasing participants and taking hard earned points. Once "vampired" the victim would surrender their score card along with all their points and in return receive the vampire card worth zero points. Much like a game of tag while orienteering. In addition, there was a beginner course with 4 controls, and intermediate course with 18 controls.

The weather was nearly perfect for night orienteering with temperatures in the mid to low 60's during the whole event. Nearly all of the participants showed up in dark or complete black clothing. And in the case of Bill Leahy and Nicolas Bryne even sported camouflage face paint (see photos). The option of carrying a one gallon jug of holy water to avoid being "vampired" was available however no one took advantage of it.

The vampire-o course had 18 control points and a 40 minute time limit. We had 9 participants for the vampire-O. Doug LaMott volunteer to be the first vampire. The mass start began at 7:30PM with the vampire starting 3 minutes afterwards. At the start all participants scattered in all directions with most of them having their headlamps off! Except Karin who was still on her cell phone trying to locate her husband who had not checked in from his two-person cross-country flying trip.

As participants crossed the finish there were lots of stories about both vampires and victims. I was surprised to learn that some ran the event with their headlamps off! Only turning on when it was necessary to see the map and to punch score cards. Others talked about hiding in bushes and under trees to evade the vampire. It was interesting to hear how some vampires hind and waited for a victim rather than trying to run someone down. It seems like everyone had story about their strategy.

In the end, it was Jeff Black who finished first and managed to punch all 18 controls with over 3 minutes to spare. Followed by Jay Morgan who punched 16 controls. Both were vampired twice. Our final vampire of the night was Karin Didisse who was a real good sport beings she was distracted at the start.
After completing the vampire-o course, Nicolas and Jim Byrne took on the beginner courses and punched all 4 controls in 10:45.

THANKS

A big thanks to those who helped with the event: Donna Goodwin (co-director), Bill Leahy, Doug LaMatt, Karin Didisse and Jay Morgan. Andy Hill for printing & delivering all the maps. And, John Bartholomew from CROC in Portland for his help and experience with vampire-o's

NEXT MEET

Our next meet is Sunday, November 15th. For more info see our blog site at:http://www.ctoc-boise.org/ctoc/index.htm

RESULTS:

Name/Total/Penalty/ vampires
Jeff Black /180/ 0/ 2
Jay Morgan /160/ 0/ 2
Doug LaMott /140/ 0/ 1
Bill Leahy /130/ 0/ 0
Nicolas & Jim Byrne /70/ 0/ 0
Lucy & John Kritko /50/ 10/ 0
Karin Didisse /Vampire/ 0/ 2

Beginner Course:
Nicolas and Jim Byrne 10:54

Coming Up: CTOC's first ever Vampire-O - Saturday, Oc. 17th

Welcome to CTOC first ever Vampire-O. What’s a Vampire-O, you ask? Read on and get ready for some Halloween fun while orienteering at night. And yes, it’s will be at night because everyone knows that vampires only come out at night!

Date: Saturday Oct 17, 2009
Time: 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm (Sunset is at 6:55pm, however, full darkness will be closer to the 7:15PM)
Location: Simplot Sport Complex East (parking lot off S. Quamash Way)
Format: Vampire-O (score-o format, mass start with one more vampires starting 3 minutes later)
Courses: Beginner & intermediate courses
Notes: Bring your headlamp, warm clothes and Registration Form (or register on site) and enjoy a fun night of orienteering.

FAQ:

1. So, what is Vampire-O? It's like playing a game of tag while orienteering! One or more participants are selected as "vampires" at the start of the event. The "vampires" leave 3 minutes after everyone else had a mass start. Vampires carry a "vampire" card, worth zero points. When they come within five meters of another orienteer and yell "vampire attack!", the "victim" must surrender his or her punch card (along with all of its points) to the vampire, who then receives the Vampire card. The victim then becomes the vampire (but cannot immediately re-tag the original vampire, of course). This will be done at night with flashlights.
2. After a vampire attack can the victim attack his/her original vampire? If so, what are the rules for doing so? "No immediate tag backs", just like in third grade. ;-> Cards tend to get traded back and forth pretty quickly, so this usually isn't a problem. You can attack someone that attacked you as long as you unloaded the card you got from them and are now carrying a card you got from another vampire later on. Vampires can't attack vampires of course - they'd just end up swapping cards...
3. I understand the course is score-o format. Is each control worth the same number of points? Each control is worth the same amount. Identical control point values also makes scoring at the end that much easier - and it will be a bit hectic with a score-O mass finish.
4. Are teams allowed? If so, how does it work if the team is the vampire and team members have both slow and fast runners can the faster runner go after a victim alone or do they need to stay together as a team? Teams are allowed. The team should stay together, within reason. The rule is "do the right thing" during the event. Teams should stay within vocal range if they get a bit separated, but should travel together whenever possible.
5. What if I want to run the vampire-o course but don’t want to be bothered by the vampire? Can I just want to run the score-o course? You can run the course but you will need special holy water to protect you from vampires. If you choose this option then you will be given a 1 gallon jug of holy water and you must carry it at all times during the event.
6. Will there be a beginner and intermediate course? Yes, there will be a beginner and intermediate course. Participants that wish do the beginner or intermediate courses will be give a special garlic bracelet (glow in dark bracelet. The kind you see at the county fair). This will protect you from the vampire. Beginner and intermediate participants should come early to avoid the mass start of the vampire-o.
7. Because its at night do I need to bring a flashlight? Yes, you should bring a flashlight or a headlamp.
8. Do I need to dress up in a Halloween costume? No, you do not need to come in costume. However, you can if you wish.
9. Will it be dark enough for a night-o? Yes, sunset on Oct 17th will be 6:55pm and it will near total darkness by the time of the vampire-o mass start.
   

National Orienteering Day: Sun and Shade

It was a gorgeous day for a park meet, especially National Orienteering Day. The sun was out, breeze was light, and the controls were hung on the distinct trees with care. We thought a more curious member of the Society (SCA for those in the know) next to us might be inclined to find out what all these flags were about, but quite probably their clothing would be problematic. We greeted a fine mix of guests new to orienteering, various inquires from passers-by, and gave our experienced attendees a heady challenge that kept them running hard.

There were three groups who found some excitement on the "easy" (aka beginner) course, a nice loop around the zoo. Kelly Carlen came with his son last year; this year he brought several scouts with him as our event jived nicely with their orienteering work in the troop. They were out early and back first; I thought they might try intermediate but lunch must have been too interesting this time! Then Barry and Greta came on Dondi's invite (they happen to be our next door neighbors), as they were in the park riding the swans. Greta did well spotting controls along the way, and Barry could fall back on his piloting experience if necessary. Hope they try a course again! David Bergset also arrived with Neva and her son Sebastian, and set out together on beginner with Sebastian leading the way, and handily won the category.

On Harder (intermediate), which provided some very interesting route choices and stretched into BSU, the first eager takers were the Hall family, who have seen our stuff a couple times before. They came in breathless in a string of finishers, no worse for the wear. Peter Beckner and son took on the course not far behind them and shaved off a few minutes; they snagged a new watch from Shu's to watch the time even more closely in future meets. Then David Bryd solo'd a run through the course and settled into first, maybe being set for an advanced course next time?

Yet another three took on the Score challenge on the Hardest (advanced) course - a variant we haven't had in a long time on this map, it seemed - and all found the 30 minute time limit to collect as many controls as possible quite challenging. (There was 5 minutes to plan before starting.) All of them, however, picked up the 20 pointers! Jay Morgan matched wits closely with Michael Tobin (his first meet on this map), and edged out ahead, helped a bit more by Michael realizing he mispunched a box after he finished. (And Michael thought he was out for a nice easy Saturday jog!) Jeff Decker went out a little later and turned in a very respectable score given more judicious selection of controls.

Easy: 1.46km, 8 controls

1. Sebastian, Neva, and David: 21:47

2. Barry and Greta: 28:36

3. Carlen scout group: 34:00

Harder: 3.03km, 10 controls

1. David Byrd: 33:45

2. Beckner family: 42:42

3. Hall family: 57:32

Hardest: Score, 25 controls (5, 10, or 20 points each), 30 minutes

1. Jay Morgan: 235 (29:55)

2. Michael Tobin: 220 (29:16) (MP #18)

3. Jeff Decker: 180 (28:00)

Special thanks goes to Andy Hill, the indirect director who assembled the courses, maps, and gear in advance by my house on Friday. (Hope those tomatoes made it worthwhile!) Lee Scott and Jeff Decker were also vital co-directors in helping setup the start area, handle the many guests we had, and helped pick up controls (as well as pack my car while I got a few more).

Next month Jeff D. is planning something even beyond our fairly regular fall Night-O - stay tuned, and gather some garlic and headlamps! That will be Saturday, October 17th, at 6pm. See you then.

Jeff Black

Welcome to National Orienteering Day

This weekend, September 19th, our club is pleased to present the Boise events for National Orienteering Day. This is a great meet to get acquainted with the sport for the first time, or a refresher after a long absence with your compass. Experienced club members will be on hand to help explain the basics, and the park meet is a pleasant introduction to the maps without actually being lost!

Meet location: Julia Davis Park, near the Friendship Bridge south of the zoo.
Start times: 11am-1pm - you may arrive within this window to try a course, as participants start separately a few minutes apart.
To bring:
1. your trusty compass, or you may rent one from the club for a nominal fee.
2. a signed waiver, to save you some time signing up when you get there - but we will have blanks handy.
Cost: Cheap, our usual monthly meet fee for nonmembers: $5 per individual, or $7 for a group sharing a map. Or if you're a club member, it's included!

This map was revised just this year for our big A meet sprint in June, and is a larger scale with new details, and fully revised for all the BSU construction. Even if you've done this park with us in past meets, I think you'll find the map even better than before. Andy Hill has planned out three course levels - our usual beginner, intermediate, and advanced, so it's likely he might have some surprises in for us.

See you on Saturday!

Jeff Black