Lapland Lake 12/21/14 – Meet Notes

From Eric Hamilton —

I skied in most of the controls today [12/16] for Sunday’s meet.

I found conditions good. The snow was fast in the morning and became slower as the air temperatures warmed into the upper 30s. There were some easily avoided rocks and wet spots. I started out with my skating rock skis, but a binding broke so I reverted to no-wax skis. They actually worked better with today’s conditions. There was over a foot of snow in the woods so that bushwhacking became a viable route choice at times. Draft course setters notes follow below.

The forecast indicates that they will get more snow as these rain showers depart.

COURSE SETTER’S NOTES

You will find that your time to complete today’s course will be shorter than you will experience later in the season, after all, it is the first ski orienteering meet of the season. All are welcome to try. There is a two hour limit on today’s courses, because we want to have the controls picked up and out of the woods before dark.

We are using SportIdent timing chips today. The chip receptors are on aluminum stands under the conventional control flags. If you have not used these chips before, take a minute to talk to someone who has, to assure yourself that you will be getting the proper time credit at and between each leg of your course.

Recreational skiers, snowshoers, and groups are welcome to try any of the courses, but if you haven’t done it before do the yellow course.

Most of the trails here at Lapland Lake are one way trails. All trails are open for skiing. You have permission to go against one way traffic today only, and only if you give others going the correct way the right-of-way. This means to stay well over to the right side of the trail and well out of the way of any down hill skier. All courses will have at least one segment where the course setter’s favored route was over a segment of one way trail in the wrong direction. Ski safe, but, yes, you can go the wrong way at Lapland Lake… today only.

COURSES

• Yellow Course – 2.8 k (“as the crow flies”) and 7 controls for M & F-18, F55+
• Green Course – 5.8 k and 15 controls for M55+, F40+
• Red Course – 9 k and 19 controls on two maps for M & F19+

You will be given your map when you complete your registration. Those on the red course will be given both maps (one sheet of 8.5 X 11 paper) before the start. Turn your map over at any point between control 5 and control 6.

START/FINISH

When ready for your start dip your chip in the block marked “start” on top of the saw horse at the start location on your map. Your finish will be when you likewise dip your chip in the finish block located at the finish also shown on your map. Remember to immediately come into the lodge and surrender your chip so it can be downloaded. Also remember the two hour time limit. If you are unable to finish your course in two hours return anyway to get your “start” credit and notify event officials that you are off the course.

GOOD LUCK and have FUN.