Today’s map rejoices in the name of Gumble Pinnacles. There must be a story behind the name.  We were on typical central NSW farming property, with a mass of rock of every shape and size, covering a large area that would be no use to anyone other than a bunch of crazed orienteers.

It was Long Distance day, which for me meant a slightly longer course, but far fewer controls. It was still going to be very technical, requiring accuracy over speed. In general, most courses were too long, and many people didn’t finish, or took two hours or more – not good on a hot day, and where the organisers decided not to provide water except on the longest courses.  I always carry my own anyway.

After an 800 metre walk to the start, which felt more like 1.5 km, we were in a nondescript section of forest – scrappy small rocks, scrappy vegetation, apparently chosen at random.  Through the start boxes, pick up the map, and away.  The first thing I noticed was the colours on the map were predominantly black (rock) and green (thicker veg).  This was going to be tough.

Leg 1 – red line went straight through a green patch, with a lot of rock marked.  There were alternative routes to the left and right with less vegetation, but neither of them offered any certainty.  The control itself had no obvious attack point, but what concerned me more was any sort of catching feature- you could go for miles if you missed the one particular rock in an ocean of rocks.

I quickly realised that you couldn’t pick off the rocks as you went, and the contours were too vague to be much help.  So it was compass bearing and pray. I stuck to my bearing like a limpet, through whatever vegetation it crossed.  Luckily the green was get-through-able.  I thought I picked a particular rocky knoll just south west of my control, but wasn’t 100 percent sure.  I saw someone on my course approaching from the left, and heading confidently towards a boulder. I glanced over and spotted the flag. Phew! Visions of spending an hour hunting for it evaporate, and I turned my attention to no 2.  That was quite easy, and I started to feel more confident.

That didn’t last long. No 3 was a short leg, and the control was between two boulders that according to the map were by themselves.  I followed my bearing again, and saw rocks everywhere.  I had no idea which was mine.  I’d come to a standstill, fairly sure I was in the right general area, when Pete popped up from behind another boulder. “Know where you are?” he said. “Think so, but not confident” I replied. “Same” he said.  We ascertained we were looking for the same control, and that we were close. I turned around and caught a flash of orange. “Over there” I pointed. 

Next was my longest leg. It was one that you had to break down into smaller sections.  Again I decided to just stick to the red line, and make sure I knew where I was.  Down to the track. Further down to the watercourse. Across to a second watercourse.  Spot the big bare rock, then the two rocks a bit further on.  Spy a narrow gully, and follow it upward.  Across some open forest, and start looking for the next section of rock. There it is!  Follow the rock-lined gully in to the flag. 

Pleased with my efforts on that one, I pressed on.  There was a faint track to follow for a while, then across another watercourse, and on into some scrappy rock with fallen timber. I was looking for two large boulders which would lead me into a low cliff. I couldn’t see the boulders, went too far, and had to backtrack.

The rest was straightforward, except that I switched off my brain and followed the pack to the final control, almost forgetting to deviate off to my no 7.  That added a couple of minutes to my time, but wouldn’t have improved my result – 9^th of 17, so exactly midfield, which was pleasing, all things considered.  My head was fine and I didn’t really need my walking pole today, so I’m really feeling like things have returned to normal.

Pete recovered from a scratchy start, and like me he was accurate but slow.  Ilze’s supposedly “moderate” course was anything but, and like half the field in Womens Open B, she sensibly decided not to go further than control 3.  The course planner clearly had no idea of what he should have set.

The elite courses were way too long – 30 minutes more than expected winning times – and they were sent out late, in the heat of the midday sun.  Other courses look like a war of attrition; not the ideal outcome on a multiday event.  You don’t want to win because everyone else is knocked out.

Overall, today’s effort has moved me from 14^th to 12^th, with a top 10 finish within reach if I get it right tomorrow!  This is way above expectations and a pleasant surprise. Roll on Day 3!

Breaking news:  the flock of 22 sheep has just expanded to 24 – twin lambs born earlier today. We wondered why the sheep seemed more excited than usual.