Mesopotamia, Middle DistanceSat 19 Mar
Duddon Spring Weekend
Regional level event
What does this mean?
Local events are usually low key and in the 'localised' area, ideal for newcomers to try the sport and Training events are non competitive and used for training and coaching, aimed at members of the club, but they can attract people from neighbouring clubs, and are often ideal for newcomers to try the sport. Regional events attract participants from around the local Region, National events are high quality competitions that will attract people from far away, Major events are Major Events such as a British Championships.
Results
Report
Results and analysis links (Winsplits & RouteGadget) are now available here for today's event.
Thank you for joining us on a beautiful day in the Duddon Valley, we hope you enjoyed the event ! Many thanks to Nick for planning and Jerry as Controller, Gill the Organiser and the SI Team of Ali & Mike, and all other helpers.
Any questions on the results, please drop us a line at loc@onlineorienteer.co.uk
Planners Comments from Nick:
The Lake District at its finest - sun, lambs, daffodils, and high quality orienteering.
I hope you enjoyed experiencing Mesopotamia. It was a lovely compact area to plan on, though tricky to work out courses that weren't too physical.
Well done Matt E, Jonny and Matt R for getting under 10min/km on the long.
Though their pace was easily bested by Tom F on the yellow, who managed sub 10mins for 1.6km. Well done Tom.
No disqualifications on the short course, but lots on long and medium. The main problem on the long was remembering to punch the road crossing control in both directions. Control 16 on the middle [26 on the long] also caused problems - I assume punching a yellow control on the path instead of the correct boulder well above the path.
Overview
The area is steep, rough underfoot, and technical. Bar the yellow course, squeezed in at the south end of the area, there is no letup in the technicality of the terrain. The 3 main courses are all TD5 difficulty. All these courses will encounter steep rocky slopes, old bracken and tussocks. There are lots of dangerous crags, and limited ways off the fell top.
Despite the notes above relating to the courses Mesopotamia is a wonderful, scenic area. The lower slopes are wooded and bouldery. The upper slopes are rough, open fell, with lots of rock features. The area is bounded by 2 pretty rivers. The long course will visit a small map extension to the north of the main area. The courses will provide sustained, intricate, Lake District orienteering.
We are expecting winning times to be longer than standard for a middle race, due to the unrelenting nature of the terrain.
Walls on the fell top are accurately mapped, and please use the mapped gaps to cross.
There is one stile to negotiate by all bar yellow runners on the descent from the fell top. There will be a control at the stile. Please be patient if several runners arrive at the stile together.
Location Info
/-3.19318,54.35354,12/500x400?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoicGF1bGZyb3N0IiwiYSI6ImNsMms1OW1tdDA5cGczZG84cnVhZWYyc24ifQ.7NrDLCXDgXlultOhgk7Elw)
Near: Lat,Lng: 54.35354,-3.19318 Postcode: LA20 6ED
The pins on the maps show the location of the parking, the start may be some distance away
Open an interactive map in: GoogleMap - OpenStreetMap - AppleMaps - BingMap
Directions / Parking
Parking will be in the same location on both days adjacent to the Newfield Inn
Grid ref: SD 228 960
Post code: LA20 6ED
Travel Directions
The event will be signed from Duddon Bridge on the A595. Please approach Seathwaite from that direction. Drive carefully on the narrow roads.
Parking field.
£1 per car will be collected on entrance to the parking field.
Parking is in a gently sloping field behind the Newfield Inn. Apologies but due to access difficulties larger camper vans and motorhomes cannot be accommodated in the parking field. Please note there will be NO overnight camping or parking allowed in the parking field. There is only one entry/exit gate and there is no exit before 12noon.
Dogs must be kept on a lead in the car park.
IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE:
There are two timber piles near the parking field entrance. These should not be climbed on. There is also a small river running down the side of the field, please keep out and parents/carers be vigilant with children.
Whistles are compulsory and cagoules are advised and may be mandatory. This will be at the organisers’ discretion based on the weather conditions. If required notices will be posted at the event.
Please note course closure times for each race and aim to finish your course or report to download by that time.
Download: Parish Hall.
The Parish Hall is located approx 200m along a quiet road. Although there is very little traffic please walk to the side of the road, supervise small children and allow vehicles to pass.
Pre-event Details
Map / Terrain
The area is steep, rough underfoot, and technical. Bar the yellow course, squeezed in at the south end of the area, there is no letup in the technicality of the terrain. The 3 main courses are all TD5 difficulty. All these courses will encounter steep rocky slopes, old bracken and tussocks. There are lots of dangerous crags, and limited ways off the fell top.
Despite the notes above relating to the courses Mesopotamia is a wonderful, scenic area. The lower slopes are wooded and bouldery. The upper slopes are rough, open fell, with lots of rock features. The area is bounded by 2 pretty rivers. The long course will visit a small map extension to the north of the main area. The courses will provide sustained, intricate, Lake District orienteering.
We are expecting winning times to be longer than standard for a middle race, due to the unrelenting nature of the terrain.
Walls on the fell top are accurately mapped, and please use the mapped gaps to cross.
There is one stile to negotiate by all bar yellow runners on the descent from the fell top. There will be a control at the stile. Please be patient if several runners arrive at the stile together.
Course Information
Map scale:
1:5000 Long
1:4000 Medium Short Yellow
The start will be located approx 300m from the car park. The finish is approx 600m from the car park (and passes by the start).
COURSE DISTANCE (km) CLIMB(m)
LONG 4.2 280m
MIDDLE 3.1 190m
SHORT 2.0 140m
YELLOW 1.6 30m
Safety bearing: Head downhill or east to the road
Please TAKE CARE when crossing the stile.
Additional notes for yellow course:-
The course crosses a river twice via a marshalled bridge. Runners do not need to go close to the river's edge at any point on the course.
Late in the course runners will encounter a mapped hedge. You may want to make sure you know the map symbol for this - a thick green line. On the ground the feature is a pile of branches.
Newcomers and beginners.
Newcomers and beginners of all ages are welcome and can enter the Yellow Course on the day. The cost is £2 per person and will include the free use of a dibber (although a charge of £30 is made if the dibber is lost). There will be someone there to offer advice, so if there are family members or friends who want to have a go at orienteering please bring them along. If you are interested or require further information please email Carol McNeil prior to the event crlmcneill@gmail.com
Entry Details
Entries via SI entries: £9 adult. £5 student/junior
Registration and Start times
Starts 10.30am - 12.30pm
Courses close 2:30pm
It is a punching start. All other controls including the finish will be SiAC enabled.
Facilities
First Aid
A first aid kit will be available at enquiries. A first aider will be present but in the first instance people will be asked to administer their own treatment. In the event of more serious injuries an emergency department can be found approx 40minutes travel distance away at Furness General Hospital Dalton Lane Barrow-In-Furness, LA14 4LF
There is a defibrillator located on the front wall of the building next to the Newfield Inn.
Refreshments
We are grateful to the owners of the Newfield Inn for allowing use of their field for parking. Please consider visiting the Inn for drinks or food. https://www.newfieldinn.co.uk
Cake Stall.
Please bring cash and support the cake stall. All proceeds will go to support the North West Junior Squad.
Parish Hall:
We are fortunate to be able to have access to this indoor facility. Whilst it may be tempting to use it as a congregation point (especially if the weather isn’t being kind to us) please avoid doing so. We want to avoid too many people gathering together and encourage everyone to be respectful and where possible maintain social distancing. Anyone who has cycled to the event can leave their bags in the hall whilst they are competing.
Please remove muddy shoes and shoes with dobs before entering the hall.
Enquiries, toilets, download, cake stall, first aid, and assistance for beginners and newcomers are all located at the Parish Hall.
Dog restrictions
<p>Dogs will be allowed in the parking field.</p>
Contacts / Officials
Organiser: Gill Browne
Planner: Nick Howlett
Controller: Jerry Purkis