Update – Partridge Run

Here are the  latest notes from Phil concerning Saturday’s event at Partridge Run

EMPO Members-

As previously noted, the EMPO Ski & Snowshoe – O (mini-snowgaine) will be held this coming Saturday (Jan 24), regardless of the weather. Starts are 10-Noon, with a 4 hour time limit, and the course closes at 3pm. I think all event details are covered in the final version of the Notes, which can be downloaded from here:

I tried using a short URL in my poster, but that did not seem to allow for updates to the document itself (at least not that I can figure out thus far), so this is the link you need for the final version of Rules and Notes, and I’m not going to shorten it:

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/39392467/2015%20Partridge%20Run%20Snow%20Event%20Notes%20and%20Rules%5BFinal%5D.pdf

My own assessment of the current snow & ice conditions, as of post-Wednesday control placement activity, is:

-We have had a long string of very cold days, but little snow;

-On Sunday the temperature went up above freezing, and we had modest rain;

-Since then, it has been continually below freezing, with minor snow dustings;

-It is forecast to remain below freezing (with minimal snow) up until the high point on Saturday (the event) when it may reach 32 degrees;

-So , the snow/ice status is:

• 1-2 inches of base with a frozen crust in most places, though I found no crust in many other places;
• 1 inch of frozen granular on top; this combination is skiable, but does not allow for easy ski passage above the vegetation;
• On any nominal ski trail, ski-ability will be suspect depending upon how much the trail is open or under tree cover, particularly under hemlocks;
• Most, but not all, snowmobile trails have been used, and they are hard packed and/or icy, though there is generally loose snow passage along the sides;
• Snowshoes do not help much in 3-4 inches of snow, though they do prevent the periodic breakthroughs of the snow/ice crust which anyone using boots/sneakers will on occasion experience;
• After a long/hard cold spell, I was going to change the rules to allow crossing water; but today during a test run Sue broke through the ice on a marsh, and went in up to her knees, so the original rules about crossing water remain in force.

So, what would I use? I would use lightweight snow boots, perhaps with “cat-tracks” or some form of studs to deal with ice. There will be many areas where skis would be faster, and areas where snowshoes would be faster. And, of course, I am not you. If you are a strong classic skier, and are willing to carry your skis at times, then classic skiing might be the best choice. You must make your own choices, and perhaps carry alternative equipment with you. You will be allowed to test out the snow near the Start/Finish to help you decide, but I have found that the conditions change significantly over the wide range of the course.

One notable change from previous editions of the notes/rules is that due to a funeral in the family, Sue will be away, and thus not able to host participants back at our house starting a 2pm. I will happily host anyone who wants to drop by after I return from closing down the Start/Finish, which I hope would be prior to 3:30pm. Another notable change is to disallow use of bicycles. Read the rules carefully! And note: if you want a sealed map, or perhaps even a laser map as opposed to an on-site/inkjet map, send me an e-mail in advance of the day to let me know you will be coming.

I want to offer a chance(!) to everyone to help with the pick-up controls, but I don’t think that will be possible/advisable on Saturday. Yes, I know that this would mostly help me (and Sue), but we do need to get them all picked up soon, so that we can pass them along to Janet & David for their ESG/ Mt Van & Dewey events, while we personally head north the following week to Gatineau (Quebec). So, I will create personalized maps for anyone who can come back on Sunday, Jan 25 (or show up for the first time because they had a conflict on Saturday), showing a set of controls that you did NOT reach, thus giving you a different view of the area. And, we will again offer hot drinks, snacks, and the occasional adult beverage, to anyone who comes out and helps retrieve the controls.

The plan would be to meet at our house (1633 Helderberg Trail, Berne) at 10am, then organize, and head out. If at all possible, along with a minor backpack (to hold what you pick up), bring a reversible drill, because many of the SI units are drilled into trees, and while you could use a screwdriver to remove them, a drill would be a LOT faster. Most are drilled with Phillips head screws, but a couple have flathead screws. Another couple have screws short enough to just be pulled out. After the first half of controls, I changed to using more stands and wire hangers. I can arrange pickup on the basis of the control placement method used.

Finally, remember that this is the start of the new year, and we hope that you will renew your membership. You can renew on site at the event; or, if you can’t come, you can renew by downloading the form here:

http://empo.us.orienteering.org/clubinfo/empoform

and sending your check to the address shown on the form, or, to get it more rapidly recorded, directly to our Treasurer here:

Janet Tryson

1052 Route 32

Malden Bridge, NY 12115-1702

Hope to see all of you soon the woods!

-Phil H-T