The Dragon's Back!

As something of a regional tour, Mal Law from Running Wild kindly organised a night of trail running movies in various centres around New Zealand. The centre-piece of the night was the official film documentary on the "Dragon's Back Race", a 5-day mountain-marathon style race along the mountainous spine of Wales.

The mountain marathon format is not well known in New Zealand, with participants able to choose any route they like between check points (typically located on strategic summits). The closest we have is rogaines, and certainly the competitors that we meet in the film remind me a lot of the type of people drawn to long distance rogaining in New Zealand.

Inspiring stuff, and certainly had me thinking that I must do more rogaines, and also got me thinking (again) about the possibility of doing the Northburn 100 - very similar terrain to parts of the Dragon's Back. We shall see...

Here official trailer for the film:

The film itself can be ordered from the event website.

UK Trail Running magazine also had extensive coverage of the 2012 race, and their video footage is also available in the films section of the event website.

Belmont Rogaine

The last of the 5 events held in Wellington over Waitangi weekend to celebrate the 21st birthday of rogaining in New Zealand. The very first New Zealand rogaine was held in Belmont Regional Park, and today's 4 hour event was also held in the park.

With about 10-15 minutes of planning we had picked a loop, and then walked back to the start area just in time to miss most of the briefing! A couple more minutes and then it was time to start.

Competitors scaling the hill to the first trig.

We initially set off at a jog, making sure we really were where we thought we were on the map. Cross-country along a fence line for a short section, then up a steep hill to gain our first points at the trig. Just 10 points, but we were underway!

The next control looked easy on the map, but for some reason we didn't find it quite as fast as might have been expected... which in this instance just means we had to search a little rather than walking straight to it.

On to the next one, down the hill, up the next one to the track junction, and ... stop. In a demonstration of just how out of practice we were with map reading and rogaining, both of us jumped to the conclusion that the next control must be over the far side of the huge hill in front of us. After several minutes of matching features to the map, and actually reading the map properly, we realised that the next control was DOWN the slope in front of us, just a few hundred metres away. So down we went, and control #90 was in the bag.

Looking down into the gully concealing #90

A row of World War II bunkers in the distance.

We continued down hill to the farm road at the bottom of the valley, and continued on with our planned route of heading out to pick up #41. That done, it was back up the valley, and then a steep climb out to get #52. Another short, steep climb and we were back level with the WWII bunkers. Count the pillars inside one of the bunkers for another 20 points - not such a fun task when there were several dead sheep inside!

At the gratuitous trig

Then off for a jog as we set off to get #50 at a power pylon. We now decided to make a change to our plan, and rather than heading to #80 and then #51, we instead went to #70 then down to #80. This route to #70took us around a track not far below a trig... the trig wasn't a control, but it was there... and we might not ever be here again... so we climbed the short distance up the hill to claim a gratuitous trig!

Trig conquered, it was off to #70. Climbing over a gate, I jumped down and felt a searing pain in the main joint of my right big toe... this was not good! No more running for a while, and even walking I was a bit slow. When we got home there was a large bruise on the side of my foot, so somehow I had landed badly and caused some damage.

Rogainers in the valley below

We claimed #70, down the steep hill to the farm track, then walked and jogged down to the valley floor. Up to #80 - quite a social control with lots of people claiming it. Along to #51 or climb out the more direct way? We decided we were getting tired and didn't want to have to sprint uphill to the finish! So we climbed out the direct way, and then claimed controls #12 and #11 and had a more leisurely finish.

Eastbourne Rogaine

I looked at the map and immediately started thinking of clockwise loops; Heather instead suggested anti-clockwise. A quick look at the contour lines and anti-clockwise seemed a much better plan - rather than climbing to the ridge in one big, steep climb, we could break the climb in two and it wouldn't be quite so steep.

We set off through the streets to collect a couple of 10 pointers and 20 pointers, a good opportunity to warm up on the flats before heading into the hills. A rude shock as we started up the short but steep climb up to #42, then up a much bigger climb to find #80.

At the top of the climb we headed south along a track that initially we doubted even existed. But then the vegetation opened up and we followed it through one open stand of beech trees, another section of dense vegetation, a second stand of beech trees... and couldn't find the control anywhere. After going a long way past where the control should be and coming all the way back again. We saw several other teams up there, but no one could find the control! Eventually we decided that was enough time wasted and we should head on to the next control.

Out to the main track and along to #34. A long haul, with a much steeper and more techical (lots of tree roots) climb than anticipated up to #35. Yet more climb and roots as we made our way up to #51. That took a little bit of hunting for, but not too much.

Running down the tunnel of light created by
my headlamp.

By now we were running short of time so couldn't afford to spend much time hunting for controls. A cursory look for #62, but we didn't see it, then along the ridge to #32. Finally we had some downhill, but it was still very technical! It was time to head back down... and it was an incredibly steep downhill. We contemplated stopping for #41 and #21, but were really short on time. Out to the road and a run down the wharf to get #26, then back to the finish.

Done in 2:55:19, so perhaps we could have / should have looked a little longer for #62, or diverted #41 and #21. Perhaps next time!

Although we couldn't find #80, neither did several other teams, including the top scoring team. The team that came second did find #80 but said it was well hidden. But with one team finding it none of the teams that tried and failed were awarded the points, including us. Team Ultra Fun was 21 out of 27 teams.

Great Forest Rogaine

An 8 hour rogaine through Rotorua's Whakarewarewa Forest and surrounding areas. This was Heather's first rogaine, and seemed like it would be an enjoyable way to have a bit of "time on our feet" as we built up to Kepler.

We set a reasonably ambitious route, based on what we should be able to achieve if we were "just" out ultramarathoning. But we were carrying more gear and water than we are used to, Heather was recovering from the Auckland marathon the week before, and I had various excuses! So we followed the initial part of our plan, but then cut a big chunk off later in the day as it became obvious our plan was too ambitious.

Heather emerges onto the forestry road after
control 72.

First stop was an easy #39 behind the Redwoods visitor centre. Then up the hill on the walking tracks to #92. Out on to the foresty roads and along to #72. Then it was down some MTB single track (I can run some of this faster than I can ride it) and a short push through the bush to emerge on another forestry road. A quick out-and-back down the side of a fenced off compound to #55.

On the way to #68

From there it was a lengthy trek along gravel and then dirt roads before the steep climb up to the Whakarewarewa lookout and #99. We missed the single track short cut down, so followed the dirt road down into the MTB park. From there it was an out-and-back along the dirt road and single track to #68, and then pick up #41 near the carpark. I needed a quick stop here to tape some hot spots on my feet - the adidas trail runners that I was wearing were causing unexpected problems on both feet.

Feet dealt with it was off down the road towards the Waipa Mill. Around the side of 2 effluent ponds to gain the track behind. We were making our way along an indistinct part of track when right beside us at chest height was a "sprinkler"... only problem is these sprinklers use effluent! It was time to make haste before they came to life. The sprinklers seemed to be everywhere through this section of forest, although for the most part they were well off the track.

Our route. In most places the layering of the route on the map works well,
although it does go a little astray in the bottom left hand corner.

Along to #77, then back out to a logged out area and the forestry roads. We stopped for a quick break at the clearing at the base of #94, while Heather sorted a hot spot on one of her feet. There was no track up to #94, but for the most part travel through pine forest was relatively easy - it was just a case of continuing to head up. Rather than coming down the way we went up we continued over the other side, and stumbled on a rough track which led us most of the way back down to the foresty road. A short scramble down and we had come out pretty much where I had hoped.

Easy travel along forestry roads to #71 and then some compass work to get to #57. Just when I was starting to get concerned that the undergrowth was becoming significantly more difficult to push through and it seemed to be taking a long time to get to the track, out we popped! Turn right and follow the single track (+ a climb) and there was #57. Follow the single track out to the clearing by the road and time for a stop for food and warmer layers.

Pansies growing in the old quarry

Up the hill to #93 then a mixture of jogging and walking down. Along here we started reconsidering our plans. Time was getting on and we were well behind where we should be. There were a couple of out-and-back options from the cross roads; we decided to do #66 in the old quarry and see how long that took. #66 done, along to the main road, and the sensible decision was to start heading back. Unfortunately that meant a long slog along a paved road with no controls! It was around this time - about 7pm - that we noticed that the effluent sprayers were operating in the forest either side of the road. A good time not to be in there!

MTB rogainers check their maps as darkness falls.

Thought about going for #52, but it looked like it could be a bit slow to get there so we opted for #37 instead. From there it was #48 beside a small pond, #46 behind a big metal tank, and #43 in a clearing. Next stop #60, then #90 and we would reassess at that point.

We got #60 with no problems, but on our way to #90 made a blunder... It seemed to be taking a long time to get to #90, and after checking the map several times I worked out that we had taken a wrong turn. The good news was that this would still get us there, just a little more indirectly. The foot track had been following a stream, and then started to climb away from it. We must be getting close... and then looming up out of the darkness was a huge tree killing machine with enormous pincers and a mass of downed trees strewn behind it. I tried clambering over the trees to see if I could find a way through, but there was nothing obvious. In the end we decided that it would be better to just retrace our steps and take our originally-intended route to #90. So we got there, but not without wasting a lot of time. And it turns out that if we had clambered over the logs we would have found ourselves on the road that leads to #90. It all seems so much less obvious in the dark!

#90 done and all that time wasted it was time to start heading back. Out to the road, we should be able to run along that and pick up #42 on the way. We were jogging along quite nicely until the edge of the road where I was suddenly had a big hole and I tripped. Thump, I went down hard. The map in my right hand protected most of that hand from the coarse chip - the bag shredded, the map was largely ok, and there was a gouge out of one part of my hand. My left hand was saved by my compass, with the cover of the compass shattering on impact. I also took a solid blow to my left knee, and once I stood back up it seemed like I would only be hobbling slowly back to the finish. My leg loosened up a bit as I started to move, and after a couple of minutes I was walking at a reasonable speed. #42 was now out of the question, so it was straight back to the finish and pizza!

More photos available on Flickr.

Otonga / Belmont Regional Park

A portion of the Otonga map showing my route

A short 2 hour practice rogaine through the bush and steep hills of Belmont Regional Park. Being just six days out from the Sri Chinmoy 24 Hour race I was taking it easy, as I didn't want to tweak or injure anything before the event. As a result this was just relatively light and easy navigation practice.

I did manage to get lost at one point towards the end. I was heading through the bush towards A20. Having taken a bearing I was heading in generally the right direction. I got to where the bush became more difficult and started to look around. Before long I was not sure which direction I had come from, nor which direction to go. So it was out with the compass and take a bearing back towards the track, which was in the opposite direction to where I thought it would be! Follow the compass and in just 20m or so I found the control. Then it was follow a littl gully up to the track and then off to collect A8.

Korokoro Rogaine

With a workload that had gone through the roof it was touch-and-go whether I would even do this one. In the end I decided it would be good to get out for the fresh air, and turned up for a shortened version of the event (just 2h35, then off home to do some more work!)

I deliberately stayed away from tracks I hadn't done before, enjoying the trip down Gabriel's Gulley (#80, #65) and across Puketirotio (#63, #72).

Managed to miss a critical track junction on the way back, and consequently also missed 100 points (#30, #71). Finished with just 490 points, reflecting the reduced time and my generally tired state from too much work and not enough sleep. After deduction of 10% for being solo I ended up equal last!

Rogaining in the Wild West

3 hour afterwork rogaine, Wellington.

Arriving all of 2 minutes before the start I had no time to plan a route. A quick look at the map suggested controls #15, #30, #21, and #70 might be a good place to start. #15 was a breeze to find, and then as I made my way through the graveyard towards #30 I nearly fell into an old grave! As I was walking along looking at the map I strayed off to the right and walked into the side of an old grave with mid-shin height concrete sides. It just so happened that the concrete top on this one had caved in, so I really could have fallen in!

With a head torch that wasn't as bright as it could be it took a while to find #70 in the bush. After some indecision I decided that up the hill to #14 and #80 would be my next move.

On my way up from control #70 I was caught by Anna McDonnell and Helen McKendry, and from there we stayed together heading over Johnson's Hill (control #80) then ran along the Skyline track to #90 and #81, and down to #100. The night was calm and clear, treating us to spectacular views across Wellington and the harbour.

Coming down from #100 we briefly touched on suburbia before heading into the bush towards #82. Anna and Helen's lights were far superior to mine, enabling them to run much more quickly through the bush. They arrived at #82 ahead of me and then sat down to plan their next move. I had a vague idea of where I was heading next, so I set off for #31, #35, and #3C, joining up with Michael Wood and Gordon Balfour along the way. Michael and Gordon then went off to collect #56.

I pondered my next move and decided on #45. While I was making that decision Anna and Helen reappeared and I joined them again as we trudged up the hill. #45 collected the girls were quickly off to collect #46. I was feeling a bit tired by now and took a while to convince myself that this was a good idea! But eventually I did, and while I was heading in on the bush track the girls were already heading back out. Thanks Anna for the tip on the sidetrack to get to the old quarry, without that tip I would have kept going on the main track and missed it!

Back out on to the road, #54, #53 and #40 were the obvious choice. Time was running down so I then opted for #27 and #3D, with the option of #60 if there was sufficient time. There wasn't, so I finished with 920 points.

Anna and Helen finished on 1110 points, 10th out of 37 teams and 2nd all women team. 920 points would have put me in 20th place, but with a 10% penalty for being solo I dropped to 26th place. Time for prior planning would have been good, as would better lights, but I still might not have been able to match Anna and Helen.

Official report and results are here.

City Safari 2010

Updated 27 May 2010: copy of map added.

As with previous years the event started with a 10 minute prologue. We didn’t look at the map until given the instruction to start so there was no time to plan a route: it was just start running and look at the map as we go. We went north and collected 1, 20, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 5 from the prologue map.

The harbour was calm, so we planned a route that included catching the ferry across to Seatoun. The ferry left 30 minutes after the event start, so after collecting the ferry ticket we collected a few nearby controls: 1E, 28, 27, and 1D. That gave us 60 points and we were back to the ferry with a few minutes to spare.

The Ataturk Memorial

A 20 minute ferry ride across to the Seatoun wharf, and we were at the far side of Seatoun in half the time it would have taken to get there on the bus. Then it was 2N, 1V, 3N, 1W, along a nice trail to 46 and then 2M for a combined total of an extra 130 points. At this point it was decision time: back into central Seatoun or south to the 110 points down by the south coast. We decided to head south and made a start up the ridge track. We very quickly decided that was a bad idea and dropped back down to the road and went around the coast. Up to the Ataturk Memorial for 73, and then round to a “small but rugged hill” by the airport for 45. From there it was through the airport carpark and back into central Seatoun for 3M, 1T, and 2L.

Having just picked up 2L we saw a bus coming towards us and made a split second decision to catch it. It turned out to be heading into the hills of south Seatoun before returning back past the spot where we caught it, and then through to Kilbirnie and past the Hospital.

Brooklyn War Memorial from the top of Todman Street

Man on a Donkey, National War Memorial

Getting off the bus just before the hospital we headed across to 3H, 1N, 2G, 3G, 2F, up Todman St (steep) to 41 at the Brooklyn War Memorial. Then 1L, 2D, and 3F the sculpture of a man on a donkey at the National War Memorial. Then through the chaos of central Wellington for another 60 points from 2C, 1J, 2B, and 1H.

Along to the cable car, 30 minutes to go. We debated whether we’d have enough time to go up, get the points at the top. We decided we would go up, and then sat there stressing as first it didn’t move, and then when it finally moved off it travelled at a very sedate speed.

View of Lambton Quay / the Old Bank Arcade from
the bottom of the Plimmer Steps

At the top we raced across the carpark to get 29, then down to Salamanca Rd for 1G, then run along a trail down to a motorway overbridge. Down to Plimmer Steps then along to Jervois Quay and the finish with about 12 minutes to spare.

Our final score was 75 from the prologue plus 660 from the main event, for a total of 735. This placed us 13^th of 26 mixed teams, and 30^th overall of 63 teams.

Map showing route taken: red = motorised transport (ferry, bus); black = foot. Map has been warped to fit my mapping software.

Photos available on Flickr.

Moonshine 24

Another rogaine, another less than spectacular effort in terms of score. But it was still a good number of hours on my feet at a time that is supposed to be my recovery after the three ultramarathons earlier in the year.

Set off for #10, in the midst of a bunch of people heading up a ridiculously steep track. If this was the effort required to get an easy 10 pointer then this would be a long, hard day!

Old hut on the way to #82

After #10 it was an easy walk around to pick up #47 (a reentrant, but seeming more like a gully). Then down the hill and up a stream to get #82. We saw one team searching completely the wrong stream, at least our navigation was right. Having got #82 it was back down the stream to the road, then up a grassy road, and up a short stretch of stream to get #48. We were scoring better than 100 points an hour - this was looking good!

View from the hill tops

A short piece of cross-country navigation to gain a road, and then it was a long, long climb up to try and find #21. Once we reached the top #21 was on a knoll to the south side of the track, except we couldn't find it. We tried several knolls and couldn't find it anywhere. Worse, while in the bush looking for the control we passed a critical track junction and kept going forwards, and down. A good 500m past the junction, and perhaps 60m down, we realised our error and headed back up. Having lost far too much time hunting for #21 and missing the junction it was now time to push on.

Part of the track between #66 and #68

Heading downhill we picked up the foot track to the left, and then picked up controls #66 (well hidden on a knoll) and #68 (another reentrant, but more like a bog). I was getting concerned on this section that we could run out of daylight at the critical section yet to come.

Around to Orange Hut at the top left of the course, and then along the stream to #87. The route guide directed us to a gully that was relatively easy travel up to #99, but also said that it would be unwise to attempt this section in the dark. It was now 5pm, and the light was definitely starting to fade, but would we have enough time?

Taking a bearing to the gully

I took a compass bearing from the map and we followed the bearing until we were definitely in the gully. The gully was straightforward to follow, although one had to be careful not to go too high (supple jack) or too low (dense cutty grass). Half way up the light faded to the point that it was time for lights. We kept following up until the gully opened out at the top. The map now indicated we should go "up" and to our right, so that's what we did. After a short climb out I pushed through some scrub to find a track, and the track led straight to #99!

Time for dinner.

It was now properly dark. After photos to record the achievement we sat down to eat a filled roll for dinner, and then set off to collect #23 (must be easy) on our way back to the main track.

Soon after departing #99 we lost the track and had to backtrack and start again. The route guide said that the intermittent track followed an old tramline. We were on a benched formation of some sort and thought we had it right. We were paying more attention to this instruction than to the map, which showed the track heading along the ridge line. We were pushing our way through regrowth, sometimes emerging onto what clearly seemed to be a track, and was definitely benched. But the "track" was dropping lower and lower. Eventually we were so far below the ridgeline that I decided it would be worth climbing back to the top to see if there was a more defined track up there. A steep climb to the ridge, then out with the compass to find that we had been heading in almost the opposite direction to where we should have been! Some compass work and a little bush bashing and we regained the track.

It had been dark for several hours by now, and we were a long way from where we had wanted to be. It was time to shorten our route and keep to the roads and tracks. #37, #22, bypass #67 which was off track, completely avoid the SW corner of the map, and head for #79.

#79 took a while to find, mainly because it was not where the map suggested it would be. We were fortunate to be in the right place as someone else did find it. After that it was a climb to get #60, then a trek back to the campsite to have something to eat and a short sleep.

I woke after about 3 hours sleep. There was no sign of life from Jan, so I set about plotting an alternative route for the morning. Given yesterday's progress the route we had previously planned was wildly optimistic. Having done that it was off to the hash tent to have some breakfast while I waited for Jan to wake.

Early morning sun.

We were off at 8am. I felt quite good, although the first big hill climb was a bit of an effort. #104, then along the forestry road and down through open pine forest on a steep spur to #88. Dropping further down the spur we then picked up the gravel road through to "Rallywoods". We had the choice of either heading down the road and up the river to #83, or heading down another spur. We elected the spur. For the most part this was again steep open pine forest, but for the last few hundred metres was dense vegetation. I found that the easiest way through most of the vegetation was sitting down and sliding down hill, a technique that enabled me to stay under most of it. Emerging at the river there was a short drop on to a narrow sandy beach, then two short river crossings - one up to mid-thigh - to gain the control.

Jan emerges from the scrub onto the bank of the
Whakatiki River

Punching in at #83

We still had a considerable amount of time before the 24 hours was up, but we were tired and couldn't really be bothered with another long steep hill climb, so we decided to return to the finish. We got there to find that we weren't the first to finish, but we were about an hour and a half early.

More photos available on Flickr.

Christmas Rogaine

A short four hour rogaine held in a window of good weather. Many of the tracks were familiar, but we still managed to find some new places. Scored 550 points to be 14^th out of 17 teams.

Up the river trail to the underpass, then up the road to #25 and #48. Through the area that has recently been logged out (pale yellow) and climbed up to #38. Around to the track for #94, but we missed it and the boys weren't keen to go back up to look for it. Across to #66, checking each of three hairpins carefully. Back across logged over ground to regain the 4WD road and up the creek to #84. #74 was a new track for us and looked like it would be straightforward to get, but it turned out to be a very steep track. #56, #45, and #24. Then we made our way west along the stream to try and find #73. Gaining the track took much longer than we were expecting, and finding the marker also took longer. Contemplated #64 but decided we were running low on time. Down to the stream for #35, and wade down the stream to the track. Through the culvert under the road for #22, up to #23, and then home.

Richard and James on the steep climb to #74.

Travelling down the creek after #35.

The results would have been the same even if we had collected the 90 points for #94, as the 13^th team had 800 points. Finished in 4h57m30s, so the decision to skip #64 was probably right.

Photos on Flickr
Santa hat from Free EPS Christmas Hat.

Mount Vic "Sprint Rogaine"

Not really a rogaine because no fixed time limit, but not really pure orienteering either. Positions were based on number of controls gathered, then by time.

Followed the masses down to 80, then through to 23. Rather than dropping from the road to 103 I elected to climb the steep bank from the velodrome, and was in exactly the right spot. Follow the tracks to 21 and 60. Drop down to the streets and climb the rough track from the bus tunnel up to 100. Up the road a short stretch and down through the maze of tracks to 41. Easy tracks to 62, 43, 22. 81 proved impossible for anyone to find, so everyone who tried for it was credited. Then 40 and 20, and a hunt for 101. The track up to 61 appeared to be slightly further south, but I found it.

Then it was decision time. I had five controls left to get, but time was ticking on. I opted to head back to base via 82, with most of the long stretch from 101 through to base at a jog (but walking the steps for #61). The alternative to collect all controls would have been 83, 102, 42, 63, 82.

A larger version of the map is available here.

Brooklyn Rogaine

I initially planned a reasonably ambitious route on the assumption that I would be able to run a substantial portion of the rogaine. But my left achilles became quite sore so I ended up walking most of it, and cutting my route short as a result.

My initial route was 42, 62, 81, 21, 61, 52, 60. Then down a steep track to find 41, but searched for a while and couldn't find it. 31 and 100, but now my achilles was starting to make its presence known. Plan had been to do something like 51, 90, 70, 82, 34, 35, 22, 20. Instead had to set new route to be able to get back to the finish within the time limit while just walking. Back down Holloway Rd and Aro St, back over 52, score on 33, 20 and back to base. Ended up being 15 minutes early with no close by controls to collect.

A larger version of the map is available on Flickr.

Southern Bays Rogaine

This was my first rogaine in quite a long time. I ran a reasonable amount of this, but also stuffed around trying to find some of the controls. It appears that I may have taken the long option; I should perhaps have gone west where the hills and closer spacing may have been better suited to me.

6pm-9pm, mainly dark. Temperature was perhaps 8 degrees C, with a few early showers and a cool southerly breeze. Conditions were superb walking/jogging back along Lyall Bay.

Just Roaming Around: City Safari 2009

An urban rogaine where competitors are able to use public transport. Seemed like a good way to get teenagers out of the house, so I signed us up for the shorter 3 hour option. Scored 235 points on the main event, plus 60 points from the prologue, less 30 points for being late on the prologue, giving a total of 265 points. We placed 14^th of about 46 family teams, although some would have had much younger children than our team’s youngest of 11.

Above: portion of the main map showing where we
collected most of our points.
Right: Prologue map.

The event started with a short 10 minute prologue. I figured out a route that should have got us back just within 10 minutes. I would have been right too, except for taking the long way to get to one control... so we ended up being a bit over one minute late back to the finish and losing 20 points from our score.

A few minutes to recover and then it was the main event. We made our way down to the railway station via an easy 5 point control. A couple of minutes wait before the train was due to leave, and then a pleasant ride up the Ngaio Gorge to Khandallah.

On the train to Khandallah

Reviewing where we will go.	View out the window. The gorge drops very steeply into the bush.

From Khandallah station it was a short walk through the streets to #21. #42 looked promising, but there would be a fair amount of climb and I wasn’t sure that the boys would be too thrilled with that. So we left that one alone and retraced our steps to Khandallah station, then a shortcut through a walkway and #22. Then along to #12 and a longish walk and partway down a hill to #31. Back up the hill to Cashmere Avenue School. The map suggests that it would be possible to take a shortcut through the school to get to #13, but it looked like we would have to descend into the school grounds then climb a steep walkway on the other side. We decided that it would be easier to just go around the streets and avoid the extra climb.

From #13 it was on to #23. From there our plan called for #14 and then #52, but I was getting a little nervous about time and elected to take the direct route to #52. A climb up a steep sealed vehicle track to #52, then down through a nice bush track to #16, then up a hill to #32.

Time was counting down now and it was imperative to catch the train on time. If we caught the train we would finish in time; if not we would be at least 20 minutes late and lose 200 points (or be DQed). We seemed to have enough time so jogged a bit along the road to pick up #15, then a push up to Awarua Street station. Time to recover and have something to eat and drink!

Another pleasant journey back down on the train and plan what to do with the 24 minutes we would have when we got into Wellington. #2E (worth 20 points) at the NZ Rugby Union HQ looked promising, and there was a shortcut along the platform and over the Stadium concourse. We made it down the end of the platform (as did many others on the train) only to find that the gates to the concourse were locked. Back down the platform – minutes wasted – and along the footpath. Wait for the crossing, then across the road and pick up the control.

There was nothing else for us to pick up on the way back, so it was just a matter of a quick walk back. We passed lots of other teams, but already having late penalties from the prologue wanted to be sure that we’d be back before the finish time. Finished in 2h55m, comfortably inside the 3 hours.

More photos available on Flickr.Official event website: www.citysafari.org.nz

Mt Vic Shoestring Rogaine

My first shoestring rogaine for quite some time. Scored 630 points before deductions for being a solo!

Tararua 24

Control #71 was at the southern edge of this pond.

From the start we set off down the road to quickly pick up control #23 at a stream junction, and then followed the farm track to pick up controls #42 and #94. The course notes indicated that there was a patch of supple jack along the direct SW line between #94 and where we wanted to go, so from the control we went west and crossed over to a small spur with easy travel in the bush. Travel along this section was a little slow but we eventually picked up controls #71 and #20.

Jan heading up Carrington Creek.

From control #20 it was out to the Mangatarere Valley Rd and along to Carrington Creek. The obvious entry to the creek was private land, so we had to use the direct route up the creek. There was supposed to be a track on the back to our left (the true right of the stream), but we couldn't find it and instead followed the stream all the way up to control #90. From there it was up to the stream bend and junction that marked the exit for control #53. The course notes warned of "easy but steep travel up to #53". It was certainly steep, but we somehow missed the easy part and instead found a lot of supplejack. We lost a lot of time on this climb, by the time we had collected control #53 and #93 it was getting dark and we were running low on time.

Although we had entered the 12 hour rogaine it was being run as 2 x 6 hours, and the clock was running down to when we needed to be back. We abandoned our plan of heading down to Totara Flats and instead decided to take the more direct route following the old track along the ridge. As soon as it got dark our travel slowed to a crawl as with our low powered lights we had to be very careful to ensure we picked up the track markers. We eventually picked up control #92, and by some miracle control #89 - we were not at all sure that we would have found #89 coming from the other direction. It was back onto the main track after #89, but we were already overdue.

We had a tired climb up to the Mt Holdsworth / Gentle Annie track and then a fast walk all the way down to the start / finish area. We could have looked for #32 on the way down but instead decided that we shouldn't waste any more time and should get back as soon as possible. When we finally made it back we were 4 hours overdue! We had some hot food from the hash tent then retired to the tent for a few hours sleep.

Sunrise on day 2 as we were on our way to #83.

We were up again at about 5:30am for the 6am start on the second 6 hour rogaine. We were a little slow in starting, and were also feeling quite tired. Note wanting a repeat of the previous day's efforts we adopted a deliberately short route for the morning. Starting out along the Atiwhakatu track we made the strange decision to bypass #55 and #22 and continued along the track to #83 which was in a side stream. From there we climbed the track leading up to Mountain House and picked up #102.

Jan by Mountain House shelter.

Coming back down the Gentle Annie track (again), we took the side track at the top of Carrington Ridge to pick up #82 on Point 801. Back out to the Gentle Annie track and back down again. We were never quite sure where #32 should be, so again bypassed it.

Reaching the bottom of the Gentle Annie track we crossed Donnelly Flat and the Atiwhakatu Stream and picked up #55. Back down the track towards the start/finish area we still had plenty of time so we collected #41 from Gentle Annie Creek. There was only 25 minutes left so rather than risking being late again we went back to the finish.

Total points zero for the first day's debacle, and just 350 for our tired wanderings on the second day.