Great Lakes - where did I go ?

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Originally Posted by IainR

Fair do's to the RO for letting the race go on, it was a brave call. He put a lot of trust in the runners which was good to see.

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I agree with those who are broadly saying that the challenge shouldn't be taken lightly, but this comment from IainR is a really important one, and I agree, completely.

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Originally Posted by fozzy

Hence the need to get the compass out early. I suspect I would have had it out and been using it from the descent from Slight Side all the way to Blisco, even in good weather.

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I've more than once been identified as an orienteer, as I always have my map and compass in my hand on a race, whatever the conditions. In clear weather it makes it quick to check fine navigation points as you go. If poor weather it makes sure you know exactly where you are before the clag comes down, rather than having to relocate afterwards.

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Originally Posted by fozzy

Yes, the OP should be applauded for realising that the time had come to get off the hill and the sense to do so, before it got very dangerous, but to be honest you should not put yourself in that position.

As for "having a go" and it "being a proper challenge" - I think you need to think about this statement - if you don't have the necessary skills to do a race, then you should not attempt it.
I was actually offered a number (on a transfer from a clubmate), but upon seeing the weather and the fact that I hadn't reccied the course, I realised that it might be beyond my abilities and so did not take up the offer, as to do the race might have put myself and others (marshals, other runners, mountain rescue) in danger.

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I'm a newcomer to the FRA forums but it's obvious there's a wealth of knowledge and experience held here. Making comments which embarass will most likely discourage other inexperienced/improving runners from wanting to talk openly about and learn from their mistakes, which does nothing to help improve people's personal safety on the hills.

After inspecting a 1:25000 map in the pub last night it is fairly conclusive what happened to me. I was near the top of Stonesty Gill when I drifted too far right and got lost, I must have contoured around Little Stand and then descended out of the mist and found the ruin. I then took the path back up Little Stand walked around for a bit before deciding to follow the stream/river down to near Wrynose.

One thing I must say the 1:25000 map is so much more detailed than the 1:50000 race map I had.

Dan

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Originally Posted by dantodman

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One thing I must say the 1:25000 map is so much more detailed than the 1:50000 race map I had.

Dan

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there's a lesson learnt straight away:) get some bareings and notes on it for next time. well done for having the sense to withdraw rather than pushing on.

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Originally Posted by TurboTom

Well thats total bollocks....Ive reccied many races before and then screwed up nav on the day.

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I'd be interested to see the list Tom - I didn't know you were that prolific ;)

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Originally Posted by dantodman

One thing I must say the 1:25000 map is so much more detailed than the 1:50000 race map I had.

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That's for sure.

There is another moral to the story perhaps: if you're lost and almost out (of the mountains), there's no point going back in until you know precisely where you are. I am assuming that if the topography would help guide you in the right direction, you wouldn't be so lost in the first place!

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Originally Posted by dantodman

One thing I must say the 1:25000 map is so much more detailed than the 1:50000 race map I had.

Dan

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not only that, but stray off course (by a just a couple of hundred metres at times) and you can be off your map altogether with potentially serious difficulties in relocating especially in poor vis, calling MR to a casualty etc etc. There's a big downside to race maps in addition to their obvious selling points

P

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Originally Posted by paulo

not only that, but stray off course (by a just a couple of hundred metres at times) and you can be off your map altogether with potentially serious difficulties in relocating especially in poor vis, calling MR to a casualty etc etc. There's a big downside to race maps in addition to their obvious selling points

P

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Very true. Race maps are fine if you're on the racing line, but you're buggered if you lose it!

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Originally Posted by dantodman

After inspecting a 1:25000 map in the pub last night it is fairly conclusive what happened to me. I was near the top of Stonesty Gill when I drifted too far right and got lost, I must have contoured around Little Stand and then descended out of the mist and found the ruin. I then took the path back up Little Stand walked around for a bit before deciding to follow the stream/river down to near Wrynose.

One thing I must say the 1:25000 map is so much more detailed than the 1:50000 race map I had.

Dan

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If nothing else the 1:25000 maps have wall and fence lines on. That alone can tell you loads in a lot of situations without even needing a compass. I don't do many fell races but when I do, and I've not recced, I spend half an hour studying the map the night before and work out where I might go wrong and memorise landmarks etc. so that if it does go tits up I don't need to bother much with compasses and maps (unless its misty of course!)

It helps that I'm a map geek of course!