2005 Paddy Pallin 6hr Event
2005 Paddy Pallin 6hr Event, Yankee Hat, Namadgi National Park, 3 April 2005
Paddy Pallin 6 hour course setters' report
“Lets do the course setting for the 6 hour Simmo? It’s always too hot and you know we can’t run”. “Yes why not, ah but where? It’s a puzzle to choose something close, not too burnt and fits the event.”
Well as you know, Ron and I settled on the Yankee Hat area after rejecting the burnt out jumble at Smokers Gap. The first day we visited the area was a cold, wet and windy day in February (remember what rain is?). We therefore chose a site for the Hash House that would be protected from such nasty cold wet weather. Hummm.
Setting the course in the area was fun. We divided the course into two parts – the easier open country (about two-thirds of the course) and the hilly forested area. Ron volunteered to tape the hilly area first and I had the easier open country. Well it was easy for the first four controls as I was skipping along those open paddocks scattering kangaroos as I went.
Somewhere near checkpoint 42, one kangaroo that was rather sluggish at hopping off with his mates even though I continued to walk towards it. I was more interested in my map than a sluggish roo – so just kept going. That was until the “roo” got up and loped off towards Rendezvous Creek. I think my heart rate went from 60 to about 220. A large dingo/wild dog is great for warming up cold feet, but kills off any navigational skill for a while!
All this while Ron was enjoying a peaceful stroll through the bush – oblivious of the dangers of course setting. Mind you he came back a lot blacker than me.
We had a bit of fun trying out the Association’s new satellite phones and managed to leave each other a text message. The conclusion is that the phones are designed for the younger, technologically literate generation. I doubt that I could have called Ron while being chased by a dingo anyway.
The rest of the taping, vetting and hanging went without incident. That was because they knew I had a large kitchen knife in my pack. Ron of course continued on his relaxed journey, enjoying the good excuse to eat more chocolate.
The night before the event, the phones were running hot. A total fire ban had been declared because of the predicted hot, dry and windy day. The Park was not closed, and given that the area had been previously burnt, the decision was made to go ahead with the event. The HH site came in handy – well for the wind anyway.
We were not allowed to have any naked flame, which unfortunately meant the caterers had to change their menu to cold food only (and I do like pumpkin soup!). Many thanks to the DEWR Hartley Challenge Team - they did a great job at the last minute with sandwiches, salad and fruit.
Also thanks to Adrian for the admin before the event and Kathy Saw and Anne Sawkins who did the admin on the day.
We hope you enjoyed the huge boulders, the creeks and have finally washed out the black stripes from your favourite rogaining shirt ready for the next event.
See you at some check point!
Jean Douglass and Ron Simpson
Read MorePaddy Pallin 6 hour course setters' report
“Lets do the course setting for the 6 hour Simmo? It’s always too hot and you know we can’t run”. “Yes why not, ah but where? It’s a puzzle to choose something close, not too burnt and fits the event.”
Well as you know, Ron and I settled on the Yankee Hat area after rejecting the burnt out jumble at Smokers Gap. The first day we visited the area was a cold, wet and windy day in February (remember what rain is?). We therefore chose a site for the Hash House that would be protected from such nasty cold wet weather. Hummm.
Setting the course in the area was fun. We divided the course into two parts – the easier open country (about two-thirds of the course) and the hilly forested area. Ron volunteered to tape the hilly area first and I had the easier open country. Well it was easy for the first four controls as I was skipping along those open paddocks scattering kangaroos as I went.
Somewhere near checkpoint 42, one kangaroo that was rather sluggish at hopping off with his mates even though I continued to walk towards it. I was more interested in my map than a sluggish roo – so just kept going. That was until the “roo” got up and loped off towards Rendezvous Creek. I think my heart rate went from 60 to about 220. A large dingo/wild dog is great for warming up cold feet, but kills off any navigational skill for a while!
All this while Ron was enjoying a peaceful stroll through the bush – oblivious of the dangers of course setting. Mind you he came back a lot blacker than me.
We had a bit of fun trying out the Association’s new satellite phones and managed to leave each other a text message. The conclusion is that the phones are designed for the younger, technologically literate generation. I doubt that I could have called Ron while being chased by a dingo anyway.
The rest of the taping, vetting and hanging went without incident. That was because they knew I had a large kitchen knife in my pack. Ron of course continued on his relaxed journey, enjoying the good excuse to eat more chocolate.
The night before the event, the phones were running hot. A total fire ban had been declared because of the predicted hot, dry and windy day. The Park was not closed, and given that the area had been previously burnt, the decision was made to go ahead with the event. The HH site came in handy – well for the wind anyway.
We were not allowed to have any naked flame, which unfortunately meant the caterers had to change their menu to cold food only (and I do like pumpkin soup!). Many thanks to the DEWR Hartley Challenge Team - they did a great job at the last minute with sandwiches, salad and fruit.
Also thanks to Adrian for the admin before the event and Kathy Saw and Anne Sawkins who did the admin on the day.
We hope you enjoyed the huge boulders, the creeks and have finally washed out the black stripes from your favourite rogaining shirt ready for the next event.
See you at some check point!
Jean Douglass and Ron Simpson
