Delaware Valley Orienteering Association

Topic created by anniemac on Sun May 25, 2014 at 4:51 pm

anniemac
Num Posts: 164
Primary Club: DVOA
Fav map:
First O: 0

Thanks to everyone for putting on such a nice event today! It was my first time to Star Village and I was pleased to discover some pockets of really interesting woods.  I appreciated the extra rootstocks on the map, too.

Reply by edscott on Sun May 25, 2014 at 5:30 pm

edscott
Num Posts: 703
Primary Club: DVOA
Fav map: Hickory Run 1:15000
First O: 1983

Yes, after I got my head together after control 1, I enjoyed the Brown course.  Good design with a minumum of climb in an area that could be really brutal.

Reply by Sandy on Sun May 25, 2014 at 5:43 pm

Sandy
Num Posts: 324
Primary Club: DVOA
Fav map: Hickory Run 1:15000
First O: 1993

Ditto.  Well organized event and nice course.  Blue made a long circuit around the mountain with not unreasonable climb.  And there were always "around" routes so you didn't have to bash through downed trees or scramble over long sections of rocks (just short sections). 

Although it's unfortunate when we run out of maps, at least it means there were lots of people there today!

Reply by rpboehme on Sun May 25, 2014 at 8:20 pm

rpboehme
Num Posts: 129
Primary Club: DVOA
Fav map: Nolde
First O: 2012

I was most chagrinned when the scouts began draining all the yellow maps - needed to report back to our ED on those and orange.  Hopfully, they will be back in the words of the Ahnold.

Reply by edscott on Sun May 25, 2014 at 8:52 pm

edscott
Num Posts: 703
Primary Club: DVOA
Fav map: Hickory Run 1:15000
First O: 1983

I think there are notes somewhere on the site for Scouts and other groups that are attending to give the event director a bit of notice of their plans.  Now that we are not using offest printed maps for many of our events  we really need to either make 20+/- blank copies for day of event course drawing or request large groups to give us a couple weeks notice.  For example, the maps for the June 15 Hay Creek will probably be printed this week.  There will be extra copies made for on site course drawing.

Reply by Steve on Mon May 26, 2014 at 8:17 am

Steve
Num Posts: 402
Primary Club: DVOA
Fav map: Paradise Farm
First O: 1993

I would like to say what a great day we had. I am always amazed at how well a group of volunteers can come together and work like a well oiled machine. This is the first time that I used the volunteer sign up, which resulted in more helpers than I could keep busy.

Speaking as a representative of DVOA, I would liketo thank the Registration crew (Len Pollicelli, Sally Reynolds and Bob Fink [who had to fill in for Carol when she was under the weather, get well soon Carol], the e-punch crew (Patty Policelli, Andrea Hartley, and Bob Agosta) and the start crew (Rich Bohme, Rick Reynolds, and Roger Hartley.

Of course the most frantic part of the day is pick up, when you just want to get done and go home. This was real easy because of the shear numbers of people. In no particular order, Sam Kolins, Dan Barker, Rich Bohme, Petr Hartman, Rick Reynolds, and Dan Reynolds chased down the flags in no time, while Roger Hartley helped me tear down the finish chute. Sharon Siegler and Sally Reynolds drove around collecting the road signs and the road crossing signs.

I would be remiss if I did not thak my trusted assisstant through this whole process, Sharon Siegler.


There is an old orienteering joke that the hardest part is navigating to the map. I am sorry to say that I made that a little harder this time around. The kit includes 5 road signs. I needed eight to bring you in from the Interstate exit. I decided to hang the five signs farthest from the parking lot on Saturday, and then I went home and made up some more signs. The plan was for me to drive my truck to the parking lot, and for Sharon to drive the car to hang the last few signs. All was well when I left the diner Sunday morning. Unfortunatley, Sharon's car did not start, and she was stranded. Thank God for cell phones. Sharon called me to send an emergency driver (Sally Reynolds) who then had to pick up Sharon and the signs so they could place them out. Not surprisingly, we had a few early birds driving in before the signs were out. I deeply apoligize for the delay. After the event I went back to the diner to see what the problem was. Merely a dead batterey, which took a jump from the truck, and we were home in no time (I will buy a battery tomorrow).

Overall things went well. All of the runners seemd pleased and grateful. The contour only map was a great success. As always this map has many contours, complex trails, light vegetation, too many rocks and several point features. Kudos to Petr Hartman for the update. Moving at a snail's pace all month, I never questioned his work.

Of course the most important thing is the turnout. The greatest courses in the world are wasted without competitors. Thank you very much for traveling all the way to Bethlehem, we love to show off.

Reply by LarryG on Tue May 27, 2014 at 0:47 am

LarryG
Num Posts: 80
Primary Club: DVOA
Fav map:
First O: 1998

Thanks for adding those permanent O controls to the map and noting that.  Several times those were very helpful "You are here" signs, when I was doubtful.

Reply by hughmac4 on Wed May 28, 2014 at 1:30 pm

hughmac4
Num Posts: 182
Primary Club: DVOA
Fav map:
First O: 1976

Star Village RouteGadget - Standard Courses and Star Village RouteGadget - Contour Only Course finally up. Sorry it took me so long. Busy week, and a NEW(ly updated in 2014) MAP!! Two, actually, counting the Contour Only map. Sweet.