Frances Slocum Update 1
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Topic created by rgbortz on Sun Jun 24, 2012 at 6:44 pmSeveral people have made definite plans to come to this event and have reserved their campsites. There are probably a few others I am not aware of at this time. If you do not have firm plans for the 11th and 12th of August we hope you consider taking advantage of this opportunity for a no pressures weekend. All courses will be nonstructured in that you can do as many or as few controls as you would like, when you like. This may be a perfect introduction for those new to orienteering since no one expects any particular results other than finding whatever you can. So bring all the friends you know that just like being outside amongst like minded individuals.
I just got back from a picture perfect day on the lake. Everybody join me in a prayer for the event weekend to match. The Canoe-O will likely have between 30 and 40 controls all along the lake edge. You will not have to step foot out of your watercraft, unless you want or need to. There are many bushes and overhanging tree branches to add a little interest for control hanging along with a few hidey holes to stuff controls out of obvious site. The entire lake perimeter, for those who will want to punch every control, is 7-7 1/2 km. Since nobody's rushing you you might even try a little fishing while you're out there. Ask my grandson what it's like to have someone paddle you all around the lake, fishing rod in hand.
The bike-O, west of the west leg of the lake, will require superimposing the park's bike trail map, mentally, onto our orienteering map. There are very few trails in this section of the park on the 1994 edition of the orienteeering map. In my opinion hybrid bikes would be ok in lieu of mountain bikes. For those not doing the bike-O this section can also be done as an extension of the foot-O or a totally different course on the same or other day, especially since some of the controls will be a little off the bike trails. but visible from said trails. Also, as mentioned the combining of the two maps will be a challenge in and of itself.
At the time of this post we do not yet have the park's blessing for a night-O. I did not speek directly to the park ranger but will soon.
Check out the park's facilities on their website.
I will be needing a few people to help out at the "headquarters" canopy to give directions and help with the understanding of drawing of maps and self checking upon completion of courses for those who want to do so. We will need to require people to sign in and check out so as not to leave anyone out there unaccounted for.
Please send me an email: 1. if you plan to come 2. if you think you can spare a little time at "headquarters"
alliron69@cs.com
More later.
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Reply by camperpat on Mon Jun 25, 2012 at 8:40 amAs soon as the event is confirmed, Bob and I plan on getting a campsite to join you in what looks like a really nice weekend. the burtons
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Reply by Steve on Mon Jun 25, 2012 at 5:06 pmSharon and I will be there Friday evening through Sunday afternoon, and we would be willing to do some registration and start/ finish work on your schedule. We will have canoes, and feet, but no bikes, so that will limit our course choices.
Steve -
Reply by WindWalker on Mon Jun 25, 2012 at 7:49 pmI wanted to add that boats will need launch permits to be paddled in the state park lake, just incase some were planning on bringing boats and are unaware of the laws. Either from DCNR or the Pa. Fish and Boat.
Mike
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Reply by rgbortz on Mon Jun 25, 2012 at 9:54 pmIn reply to Windwalker; Or a current PA or any other state boat registration. The launch permit can be obtained online at "THE OUTDOOR SHOP"
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Reply by WindWalker on Wed Jun 27, 2012 at 6:23 amThe Carter's are in! :-) Site #75
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Reply by rgbortz on Wed Jun 27, 2012 at 7:36 amDo we have people who would like to do the canoe-O but do not have a canoe ?
If you are inclined to want to get all the controls it could take up to three hours ( if you are not fishing or just plain old having fun on the water ).
The rental fees are a bit steep. I will see what can be negotiated. Other than trying to get a group discount, which the operator already said he will give, we could try to form our own canoe pool. I have two canoes, one of which I am willing to let others use. I know of two other people willing to share. If anyone has a canoe or kayak they don't mind others using please post here or drop me an email.
The canoe-O is NOT a mass start and can be done either day so it's not expected a lot of people will want canoes at the same time.
We may ask for a small fee for the use of other person's watercraft to help defray the cost of renting canoes so the renters aren't stuck with deciding not to rent because of the cost. -
Reply by edscott on Wed Jun 27, 2012 at 1:07 pmI'm likely to do the water part then go geocaching for the rest of the day. Someone could use my kayak (a one person Emotion Glide) while I'm gone. Most likely Saturday, but I've not made any hard and fast plans yet.
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Reply by furlong47 on Wed Jun 27, 2012 at 2:01 pm
I would be looking for something to use for the canoe-O portion, preferably a one person kayak but beggars can't be choosers
I'll rent if necessary and might be able to borrow something from a friend to bring with me. -
Reply by WindWalker on Wed Jun 27, 2012 at 8:14 pmWe also have a dagger Torrent, which is a solo sit on top kayak, it is a crossover design meaning it can be paddled in ww as well as flatwater. That being said it will not track as well as a rec kayak, but it is easy to get in and out of, no cockpit. The problem is it does not have a launch permit. If someone wanted to purchase a launch permit they are more than welcome to use it for the weekend, not sure if that would be a more cost effective option over renting? It is pretty much indestructable so no need to worry about hurting it.
I also wanted to note that the campsites are well away from the water and I don't think you can leave your boats at the water?
Mike -
Reply by Orienteeringmom on Sat Jun 30, 2012 at 11:55 amTo people with extra canoes, Corinne and her boyfriend Ryan are looking to use/rent a canoe. The big selling point for Ryan was the canoe O, he loves to canoe and really wants to try Orienteering from a canoe. He is also looking forward to seeing some of the people he usually sees at HR when he comes with Corinne in September. So anyone that has an extra canoe and willing to share/rent let me know so I can tell them. I'm pretty sure that they will want to use it sometime Saturday since they have a long drive back to DC and won't be around all day Sunday.
Denny and I will be arrive up there some time Friday afternoon since we will both be off on Friday and staying until later on Sunday as we don't have to go to work first thing Monday AM. Ron we will help as needed and could help with some control p/u later Sunday afternoon if that is when you are taking them down. If you get permission for Night O, I will definitely work that for you as I do not do Night O. Also we have site 76.
I was wondering since there will be a good size group of us camping for the weekend if we would want to do a potluck dinner on Saturday night together. Everyone bring their own meat to cook and eating untensils, plates, cups, drinks and then something to share with the group, like a salad, veggies, chips or dessert. Let me know what you all think. Ron, if everyone wants to do this, I will organzie it for you.
The Porter Gang -
Reply by chand on Fri Jul 6, 2012 at 10:31 amIf anyone wants to make their canoe-O a water-battle-O, I can bring some sit-on-tops and some tandem inflatable sit-on-tops. They are not very good for distance, but good for horsing around with the kiddies.
I *think* I will get there early Saturday morning and do canoe-O, bike-O and rogaine until I drop from exhaustion.
Speaking of which, are the bike trails extensive enough that one could a rogaine-like activity with some bike use? -
Reply by rgbortz on Fri Jul 6, 2012 at 5:05 pmChris, You got the idea exactly right !
Paragragh 1.........If that weekend is anything like this weekend who wouldn't want to get as wet as possible. Just check out the park's website to be sure all is good.
Paragragh 2.........Great. Hope to have more gungho type. That's why this is a "different" event. Do what you want.
Paragragh 3.........Yeah. The plan is coming together. There are about 5+ miles of trails with lots of intersections making for a back and forth as much as you can take. Yes rogaine-like is perfect use of all the courses. -
Reply by edscott on Sat Jul 7, 2012 at 7:41 amThe biking trails are in the Western part of the park. There is a Park map on their website at http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/ucmprd2/groups/public/documents/document/dcnr_004698.pdf Be advised it is a park map with the usual inaccuracies and limitations.
