XPD Australia
Orienteering in the Night
Geoff Hunt (AR World Series Director) / 21.05.2010
(Geoff was manning a remote checkpoint so this report is out of sequence, coming before Steve's update on the wheelbarrow push.]The leading team Blackheart.com.au (Aus) arrived at this CP located deep in the remote gum clad hills of Queensland at 23.51. More than a hour passes before the next team arrives. Team Merell/Akali(00.53 Fri) are surprised to find themselves in 2nd place.
They have been until this point the movers in the field - coming from 11th at Dunk Island, to 6th on the Tully, to 2nd at this point. Even given the fact that they were one of the teams more badly affected by the stinging tree. Other teams arrive - www.alpineepic.co.nz (a rookie team doing incredibly well) at 01.15, McCain Adventure Addicts (SA) 01.28, City Bike Depot (Aus) 01.37) and in this leading group it is Orion Adventure(NZ)who arrive here last 02.04.
All of the teams ready themselves, study the map and move out directly, taking from 13 to 40 minutes in the CP before departing for orienteering. Orion take 40 minutes and they look a little confused but head out after a 15 minute sleep, only to come back in with virtually the fastest equal time for this stage. Blackheart take 3.27 and Orion 3.28.
Merrell have a nightmare run through this orienteering stage taking 6 hrs 2 mins
Back at Ravenshoe the organisation make a decision in the night to help the last teams avoid the worst sections of the 'stinging tree' and detour the remaining teams at CP 7.
The best guess for teams to arrive at Mid Camp CP11 - Dimbulah Hall (after hearing some local stories) is about 09.30. It appears that the road beyond this point deteriorates into a much rougher condition with rocky outcrops crossing the track.
In the background just now is the sound of road working crew - we are 6kms up a remote farm road, near a significant old mining area and by chance the once every 5 years maintenance program is today. It seems very unusual to have trucks and road rollers here.
This track that the competitors are following forms part of the "Bicentennial Trail' - a 5,330 km continuous route down the great Dividing Range of eastern Australia. It is designed for self reliant, non-motorized travel from the northern to southern extremities of Australia.See All Event Posts
